mtn bar length

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I recently put a 685mm easton ea50 bar on my old hardtail, replacing a straight bar that was about 570mm. It seems HUGE.

I know..."personal preference"...but generally is this the intended length, or is it purposely long to allow for a cut-down? Thanks in advance...
~napcop

Cut it to length. Just be sure to leave enough room to mount your shifters, brakes, and grips.

Most handlebars are not meant to be cut down. This particular handlebar uses taperwall construction abd cutting it could cause a problem in the structural strength of the bar. I know that a 5 inch increase in the length of the handlebars seems a lot, but once you start riding with it, you will probably like it better. IMHO, longer handlebars give you more stability and control.

With appreciation and respect to both the above comments, I think I'll ride with it as is, and if needed, cut 1/2" at a time later. Thank you.

I've a bar that is too long on my MTB right now. It is a pain, as I don't dare to ride through gaps that my friends will ride through. I would shorten it, or replace it.

Most handlebars are not meant to be cut down. This particular handlebar uses taperwall construction abd cutting it could cause a problem in the structural strength of the bar.Simple physics tells me that a shorter bar is inherently stronger than a longer bar. In this particular case, the longer handlebar would see 20% more torque than the shorter handlebar at the ends. Even with a carbon bar, Easton goes as far as to say "In fact, cut the bar in half if you feel the need. The bar doesn’t care how long it is." (http://www.eastonbike.com/downloadable_files_unprotected/r&d_files/R&D-08%20Tending%20the%20Bar.pdf) More appropriately, the bar doesn't care how short it is.

As the OP has intimated, it's probably wise to remove small amounts as deemed necessary over time.