Trimming a steerer tube
caw35slr
Posts: 439
I'm going to finally trim the steerer tube of my Fox Vans because:
1. the spacer stack is ugly.
2. I drove the spacer stack into my sternum at the weekend so I want to take revenge.
Is this a home job or one for the LBS? If it's a home job, what tool should I be using?
1. the spacer stack is ugly.
2. I drove the spacer stack into my sternum at the weekend so I want to take revenge.
Is this a home job or one for the LBS? If it's a home job, what tool should I be using?
0
Comments
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Hacksaw, vice and cutting guide! Then file off the burrs.0
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Aslong as u can get an exactly straight level cut u can do it urself with a hack saw, ive done it a few times with no probs.0
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I used an angle grinder. Not as precise, but a lot less effort! Important thing is to make a good straight mark on the tube first. Then chop off a bit just above the mark. Then grind down to the mark with the side of the cutting disk (or flapper wheel if you have one).
More power! Argh, argh, argh!!0 -
I have a mitre saw (for timber) like this one,
worked really well, no effort. Wouldn't recommend it for a steel steerer though :roll: .It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.
I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result0 -
Measure twice cut once.
Measure where you want to cut, wrap a bit of tape around it, hold it tight or put it in a vice and cut with hacksaw.
Ive doen 3 like this now.0 -
after you've put the tape on, put a jubilee clip on up to the cutting line, then use it as your guide.' From the sharks in the penthouse,
to the rats in the basement,
its not that far '0 -
If the steerer is alloy I use a tube cutter like the ones that a plumber uses
No burrs and perfectly flat
If its steel I use an old stem at a guide and a hacksaw0 -
I wouldn't actually say easier either!fanatic278 wrote:I used an angle grinder. Not as precise, but a lot less effort! Important thing is to make a good straight mark on the tube first. Then chop off a bit just above the mark. Then grind down to the mark with the side of the cutting disk (or flapper wheel if you have one).
More power! Argh, argh, argh!!
Mark where you want to cut, wrap tape round as a guide and if you know how to saw, its NOT hard to cut a straight line. Remove all burrs with a smooth file job done.
A good tip, make sure you get your head over the saw, if you look right down over it, you very rarely cut pissed... and if you do, dont do the next one! 0 -
Get a big hacksaw and a good quality blade (not a junior hacksaw, they are rubbish)"I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
--Jens Voight0 -
If you have to hold the steerer in a vice (rather than a saw guide) make sure that you don't crush it, especially with alloy steerers.
It helps if the vice has pipe-jaws or a pipe-clamping face which helps to distribute the clamping forces equally.
If you're in any doubt, let your LBS do it...0 -
I replaced my forks last week and had to go through this. I was a novice to cutting the steerer tube but managed OK. Just make sure you have a straight and steady hand and you'll be OK. My junior hacksaw was making slow progress, so I rumaged around for the big daddy and that was a lot easier. Make sure that no filings get into any bearings or else they will grind away at the metal.
Top tip: don't touch the bit of metal that falls off. It is boiling!0
