Cutting a Riser and Bars

[arbocop]

Dear learned, and experienced forum.

In the process of building up my fixed. I want to cut my alloy riser as there are loads of unnecessary spacers. I also have some Ambrosio TT bars which need a little off the end so that the plug in levers are at a more 'normal' angle as I don't have hands like a gorilla.

Can anyone advise on a suitable pipe cutter that doesn't coat the earth, and will leave a good finish? I don't trust myself with a hacksaw - I cut a pair of Cinelli bars once and it looked like they had been bitten off.

Also, is it possible to cut the riser and leave a decent finish without taking the forks off? I don't really have anywhere to hold them once they are out. I also can't be bothered if I don't need to.

Thanks

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Ask your local lbs, it might be cheaper.

Re the hacksaw, use insulation tape wrapped on the bar as a guide and then smooth off with a file and sandpaper.

 

[arbocop]

Thanks, I did consider the LBS route, but as I've now done it twice I think I need the tool. furthermore, my LBS will need advance booking for this sort of thing and I want to do it today or tomorrow.

I used an old spacer as a guide and tape when I cut the Lovely ne now trashed Cinelli bars, but they still came out wonky and chewed. And yes, it was a new blade. I am not very good at sawing! The shelves and anything I have made for the house is evidence for that. I did some plumbing once and the pipe cuts were good with a pipe cutter, I just wondered if there is a good one for what is reasonably tough alloy.

Mike

 

[Venod]

Preserver with the hacksaw, practice on some old bits of tube, as bromptonfb said use a bit of tape as a guide or scribe round the end of the tape remove it and follow the line with the saw, when sawing do not put any downward pressure on the saw,use smooth backwards & forwards actions, let the weight of the saw do the work, make sure the saw blade is the right way round (it cuts on the forward stroke) and the correct number of teeth for the job in hand, its a skill worth mastering & will stand you in good stead for other DIY jobs.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Thanks, I did consider the LBS route, but as I've now done it twice I think I need the tool. furthermore, my LBS will need advance booking for this sort of thing and I want to do it today or tomorrow.

I used an old spacer as a guide and tape when I cut the Lovely ne now trashed Cinelli bars, but they still came out wonky and chewed. And yes, it was a new blade. I am not very good at sawing! The shelves and anything I have made for the house is evidence for that. I did some plumbing once and the pipe cuts were good with a pipe cutter, I just wondered if there is a good one for what is reasonably tough alloy.

Mike

Okey dokey, take it down to the local plumbers store they comes in various forms and sizes. 28mm in one brand may be ok but not in another.