Cutting/Trimming Steerer

markshaw77

Over the winter, I have been testing a slightly lower stem/bar height and now feel pretty comfortable with my current position, so want to cut the steerer down to avoid the stack of spacers above the stems that I have currently.

I need to cut the steerer down between 1-2cm (2 bikes!), so wondering how best to do this as it is a different prospect to cuting a steerer down from full length - I am worried about getting a clean and level cut when only taking such a smal amount off

Is it an LBS job or can I do it at home? If home, any recommended techniques/tools?

Thanks

keef66

What are the steerers made of?

For alu you can use an appropriately sized pipe cutter. (The things plumbers use; little sharp cutting wheel that's progressively tightened as it's rotated round the tube)

For CF you need to saw it with a fine bladed hacksaw. You can buy a cutting guide, but since they are used so rarely, I'd try clamping a jubilee clip on each side of the line you want to cut along.

Wear a dust mask too

Wappygixer

Measure twice cut once.
Jubilee clips or an old stem are fine.
Pipe cutters are great for alloy but a bit pricey if you need to buy one.
If you have a star nut in the steerer you will need to knock it in a little further to prevent cutting into it.

Bozman

Fine hacksaw blade but put insulation tape around the steerer before you saw.
I know someone who cut a cf steerer and it splintered slightly, plus it gives the blade grip when you start.

Velonutter

I always use something similar to this for the job, I got mine from Parkers International for about £15, I never thought I would use it much but have surprisingly used it about a dozen times.

My Cervelo steerer had been cut very badly because someone hadn't used one of these, worked perfect and 5 mins later all sorted: -

http://www.parktool.com/product/oversized-saw-guide