Steering tube cutting.

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PLuKE

Active Member
Location
Suffolk, Ipswich
After months of riding and adjusting my riding position, it's time to cut my steering tube down as I have 3 spacers on top now, and it looks ugly.

I am some what nervous, about cutting it down, and don't want to mess it up, any tips or helps?

Luke
 

jim55

Guru
Location
glasgow
Yeah,use a tube cutter or a guide of some sort
 
Measure it once and then again to confirm.

The top of the steerer doesn't have to be perfectly straight - just roughly level - as it sits just below the rim of one of the spacers and doesn't contact anything.
 

swee'pea99

Squire
Don't quote me on this, but I was in your situation and as nervous as you, but after encouragement from people here I just went ahead and cut it with a hacksaw, no problem at all. Make sure the blade's straight in the saw before you start and you should have no problem getting a clean cut straight across.
 

stephec

Squire
Location
Bolton
If it's carbon make sure you wear a mask, it's not nice stuff to inhale.

Nah only joking, the mask's cos you're ugly. :biggrin:
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Remember to leave a couple of MM gap for the top of the stem. ust take your time and use a sharp blade. Also tidy up the cut with a dremmel or sand paper.
 

stuee147

Senior Member
Location
north ayrshire
use masking tape to mark where you need to cut will save losing sight of where you need to cut
also look here a good article about cutting steering tubes down http://www.atomiczombie.com/Tutorial - Fork Stem Shorten - Page 1.aspx

most of all take your time and remember its a lot easier to file or grind off an extra millimeter or two but its not so easy to stick it back on if you get it wrong
 

stephec

Squire
Location
Bolton
If you're not feeling too confident do you work in the kind of place that has maintainence staff with the right tools for the job?

What about a local engineering firm?
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
It's fine to do. Use a full size hack saw and take your time. Worry more when you decide to cut into your household plumbing and alter the tap locations using the plastic quick fit stuff. Cut straight and make sure the copper pipe edges aren't sharp. Cutting a steerer is simple ! Measure at least twice though !!!
 
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