Will a pipe cutter cut a steerer tube? (Supersonic Needed!)

mrfmilo

Hi,
Will a pipe cutter such as this : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tubing-Cutter-3-3 ... 2ea5efc7e2 or this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINI-PIPE-CUTTER- ... 45e96274a2 cut a steerer tube? Also what is the diameter in mm of the steerer tube?

Thanks (sorry for the long links)

-liam-

The dia of a 1 1/8" steerer tube in mm is just over 28mm

I'd imagine a bigger capacity pipe cutter will work. Most just use a hacksaw. Takes seconds lol.

mrfmilo

I'd rather spend £3,£4 and get it smooth and straight than mess up!

-liam-

You aren't safe to be let loose with any sharp cutting tool if you manage to mess up cutting a steerer tube haha

mrfmilo

Is it that easy? Things is I only have a really cheap hacksaw, and would need to buy a quality one which would cost more than a pipe cutter.

Is it as easy as check twice, tape, cut once?

davewalsh

The first one should work if your fork has an aluminium steerer tube !

If it's steel you could be at it a while .....

-liam-

mrfmilo wrote:

Is it that easy? Things is I only have a really cheap hacksaw, and would need to buy a quality one which would cost more than a pipe cutter.

Is it as easy as check twice, tape, cut once?

Biggest mistake people make, is marking the cut line with some tape and then cutting the wrong side of the tape haha

So long as you are a couple of mm shorter than the top of the stem, it doesnt really matter what it looks like. Get rid of the sharp edges with a file so that it slides in easily and jobs a goodun.

Have you got yourself a star fangled nut as well ?

mrfmilo

OK Will think about it.
And how do I know if my steerer tube is alum? It's a Recon 351 2008. The 2007 is aluminium. The 2009 is steel. No info on the 2008.... :roll:

And yes I have a SFN.

-liam-

Yes, it is Aluminium.

You won't have any probs cutting it with a hacksaw. Just check and check again before you cut it.;)

mrfmilo

These are mine:
http://sports.ciao.co.uk/Productinforma ... 8__6837606

And it says in Product Information the steerer tube is steel! :evil:

-liam-

Rock Shox Recon 351 Coil U-Turn 2008 Specifications: Travel: 85-130mm Travel: U-Turn Weight: 2148g (4.73 lbs) Spring: Coil Spring: Change Spring Damping: Motion Control Damping: Adjust External rebound, low speed compression to `Lock', fixed Floodgate Lowers: Magnesium, IS disc mount Crown Forged, 6061 T-6 hollow aluminum Steerer Tube: STKM steel 1 1/8\ Upper TubesL: 32mm, 7000 series straight wall aluminum, low friction anodized Standard Colours: Black, Diffusion Black (AM), Suggested Rear Shox: Monarch, Ario Upgrade Over 327: Motion Control Max. Recommended Rotor Size: 210mm"

mrfmilo

IS disc mount Crown Forged, 6061 T-6 hollow aluminum

Steerer Tube: STKM steel 1 1/8\ Upper [/u]

-liam-

My recon is Aluminium. Wheres Supersonic, he'll know lol.

mrfmilo

Changed the title

-liam-

lol

supersonic

oops, I missed it!

Some steerers on that recon are steel - infact as standard is steel, alu is an option. Put a magnet to it to check.

I prefer the hacksaw method, even with steel. A good blade is needed. Old stems make good cutting guides.

mrfmilo

Sorry just realised I messed up! I am thinking about a different fork on another bike....
The actual fork is a RockShox Tora 302 2009.

Will go and check with a magnet now.

I'll do the hacksaw way then.

mrfmilo

Just looked and the magnet sticks to the steerer tube.

-liam-

Its only mild steel tube. Won't cause you any problems

mrfmilo

Haha okay :?

supersonic

They are cromo, 'ard as nails lol.

-liam-

Why are they cromo ? I mean, as in why do they use cromo ? lol

mrfmilo

:roll:





Pipe cutter or hack saw? Or chainsaw?

diy

I always use a pipe cutter, it gives very good results, turn carefully and take your time you will get a good result The only time it is a problem is if you are trying to take 5mm off in which case there is a risk of crushing the tube with the cutter. but IMO you will get better results using a pipe cutter than a hacksaw..

note that in the old days pipes were made of stainless when copper was in short supply.

Obviously a mini pipe cutter wont be that easy. but a good old fashioned one will do a proper job

supersonic

Cromo has a higher tensile strength.

Pipe cutters aren't really recommended for steerers by any of the manufacturers as far as I know.

-liam-

So if they use cromo for its tensile strength, how do they get away with using aluminium ? which has no tensile strength to speak of lol

diy

So cromo is tougher than stainless?? They are pretty similar.

The benefit of a pipe cutter is you get a clean cut at pretty perfect 90 degrees.

anyway I used 'em on my toras twice once on the marin and once on the spesh

supersonic

Standard heat treated 4130 cromo is a lot tougher than standard stainless. This is the reason bikes are not made from it as is that it simply does not have good enough tensile strength and the bikes would have to weigh a ton.

Alu steerers are very thick to make them stiff - much thicker than a steel steerer.

redvee

Use a pipe cutter to mark the steerer then use the hacksaw to cut it.

jairaj

the hard part is measuring and marking where to cut. the actual cutting is straight forward. just make sure you cut a few mm shorter than the stem and you'll be fine.

supersonic

TBH I'd cut longer and add spacers. Increases resale value, gives some scope if you mess it up too!