Cutting Mudguard Stays

[Plax]

What's the best way to cut mudguard stays down? My front mudguard has a massive gap between that and the tyre (might as well not have any guards!). It says to cut them to size, but I'll be buggered if I know the best way to cut them. Will a saw work? I don't want to try anything in case I make a dogs dinner of it.

Ta

 

[TheDoctor]

I've used a junior hacksaw to trim them before.

 

[Plax]

I've used a junior hacksaw to trim them before.

I've got an old saw in the shed somewhere. If I lose a finger, can I blame you?

 

[TheDoctor]

You'll know where to point the finger.

Once you locate it, that is.

 

[Plax]

You'll know where to point the finger.

Once you locate it, that is.

 

[Baggy]

If you wrap a bit of masking tape around (the stay, not your finger) where you want to cut it also helps you get the cut started rather than the blade slithering round on the bare metal.

 

[Amanda P]

Or you could use bolt cutters. I have a small pair that do this job nicely. (And I too am talking about cutting stays, not fingers. Although if you wanted to cut fingers, bolt cutters would be much quicker...)

The cut-off bit flies excitingly round the workshop, ricochet-ing off the walls like shrapnel, unless it's wrapped in a bit of cloth or tape first.

Either way, you may like to file the cut-off ends round. Then they won't make holes in you or your clothing if/when you come into contact with them.

 

[Plax]

Unfortunately I do not have access to a pair of bolt cutters (which incidentally sounds quite a fun experience), but I think I shall try the tape idea, and of course I shall take the mudguard off the bike first. I can't fathom why people would try and cut a mudguard stay whilst it is still attached to the bike though as surely this will just encourage further damage to unwanted parts of the bike.

 

[Jonathan M]

Cable cutters can do the job, but only if they belong to someone else and you don;t want them to cut cables with again.

 

[barnesy]

i used these from b&q on my sks guards. Vut through them like butter. But be careful because the cut end will fly anywhere

 

[bonj2]

park tool cable cutters can cut them. You'll need to apply a fair bit of force, not being funny but you might need to get a bloke to do it. And the bit will fly off in a random direction...

 

[Ian H]

Junior hacksaw then file is best. If you don't have quick-release ends at the forks then filing the ends smooth is important: Don't over-tighten the eye-bolts and in a mudguard jam situation the mudguard will slide off the stays.

 

[CamR]

I used a Dremel to cut the excess

 

[andrew_s]

Likewise
Last time I cut some, I used a dremel cutting disc. Once you are half way through, they snap quite easily by bending with pliers.

 

[TheDoctor]

park tool cable cutters can cut them. You'll need to apply a fair bit of force, not being funny but you might need to get a bloke to do it. And the bit will fly off in a random direction...

Plax is as hard as titanium nails. She'll just chew them off, I reckon.