Cutting of carbon steerer/forks

ianeverton
Posts: 231
I am in the middle of tweaking my stem/bar position and so removing, changing out spacers etc, when I have found the best position for me i will be looking to cut down my carbon forks.
Any advice on best techniques, tools, length I need to leave etc in advance please ??
Thanks
Any advice on best techniques, tools, length I need to leave etc in advance please ??
Thanks
0
Comments
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I used a junior hacksaw and metal file (not wood file its too rough) to finish making it smooth, it cuts very easily assuming its a carbon fork. The metal file is also useful for squaring it off incase your cutting skills aren't too straight and square.
Take off how many spacers you need and use masking tape to mark your cutting line. I didn't remove forks, just turned the bike on its side on the floor. Used painters cotton sheets which I had lying around to act as padding so bike doesn't get scratched on the floor. Your could use old clothes or blankets covered in plastic if your don't want them to get covered in fine black carbon dust.
Important - remember to cut slightly below your top spacer (about 1-2mm) otherwise your top cap won't have any downward compression when you tighten it up. Otherwise your headset will feel loose.
Edit- sorry bad instruction. Cut the steerer tube down about 1-2mm below top of stem (not below top spacer) otherwise you won't have any steerer tube left for mounting your stem back onto.0 -
Keep things damp as the dust is supposed to be really bad for the lining of your lungs. Also, when breaking through the far side of the steerer, don't push to hard or the tube could delaminate and splinter. Some tutorials say to stop just short of cutting through to the other side, flip the forks over and cut in to meet it.
Also, use the finest tooth pitched blade you can. Something like 32 minimum. Specific carbon blades are available.
Personally, I'd mark the line on the steerer and take it to the LBS to do for a tenner...0 -
Ive got an old stem, I clamp that gently in place with the measured bit i want to cut off above it, then use a hacksaw. Few seconds. Then I have a good sanding block, a permagrit one, and sand it down completely flat to the stem. Remove the stem, done.
All takes less than a minute. That stem's part of my toolkit now (of course its all got sanding scuffs one side now, so dont use a good one!!), and my mate who builds quite a few bikes always asks to borrow those items whenever he's got a steerer to cut.0 -
I wouldnt do it attached to the bike! You can get a saw guide for £17 at Chain Reaction which fits in a vice. You have to turn the forks before the end to stop the steerer splintering but do not remove the saw blade whist turning. Use a 32 teeth per inch hacksaw blade. If the steerer does splinter dab super glue on to the damage. The edges can be fitted with fine wet and dry.Pegoretti
Colnago
Cervelo
Campagnolo0 -
I also didnt mean when its attached to the bike... purely cos of carbon dust falling down potentially into the headset etc. Just hold the steerer v lightly in a vice, wrapped in a rag or with rubber inserts in the vice. Although last time I did it it was held over the top step of my staircase!0
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smallbloke meant saw whilst forks are still in bike.Pegoretti
Colnago
Cervelo
Campagnolo0