Steering tube cutting.

[PLuKE]

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]

Yeah,use a tube cutter or a guide of some sort

 

[accountantpete]

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.

 

[Smokin Joe]

If it's aluminium it's a doddle, clamp the stem on and put an old spacer on top as a guide. CF needs a bit more care, use a new hacksaw blade and cut round the tube rather than directly through it.

 

[swee'pea99]

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.

 

[biggs682]

good luck

 

[stephec]

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.

 

[fossyant]

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]

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]

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]

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 !!!

 

[PLuKE]

Thanks, easy to do as it was carbon. Pretty much straight and used a jubilee clip to make sure it was straight. Looks tidy now!

Luke

 

[Saddle bum]

Yeah,use a tube cutter or a guide of some sort

Ditto that. Works equally well on Aluminium and Carbon.

Go right through on Ali.

Finish off with a junior hacksaw with carbon - just follow the scored line..

 

[Paulus]

Thanks, easy to do as it was carbon. Pretty much straight and used a jubilee clip to make sure it was straight. Looks tidy now!

Luke

That was a good idea.

 

[swee'pea99]

Yeah - jubilee clip. Good thinking!