Starnut tool

tubbs_214

So I'm going to cut my steerer tube down in my bike I was wandering if I can get away with not using a star nut tool and just hammering the it down with a rubber hammer. Also am I right unthinking there doesn't have to be any spacers between the top of my head set and my stem

Thanks for any help

dgunthor

i've used an approx 12mm or 13mm socket in the past with success, hitting it with a metal hammer.

you don't have to have any spacers above or below the stem

keezx

Piece of round wood does the job.
Didn't even know a tool existed for that purpose.....
In case of a carbon streerer i would certainly use a spacer above the stem.

tubbs_214

It's alloy so is the stem I'll give it ago this weekend. If I cock it up I'll just take it to the shop and get them to fix it.

turkeytickler

what the others said - just to add obviously the reason you need to use _something_ that closely resembles the internal diameter of the tube is so that when you knock it in it the nut is straight so that it will accept the bolt from the top nut correctly. Sorry if that was pointing out the obvious

rafletcher

Keezx wrote:

In case of a carbon streerer i would certainly use a spacer above the stem.

Agreed with this - leave 2mm of steerer above final stem height, and use a 5mm spacer between top cap and stem.

tubbs_214

rafletcher wrote:

Keezx wrote:

In case of a carbon streerer i would certainly use a spacer above the stem.

Agreed with this - leave 2mm of steerer above final stem height, and use a 5mm spacer between top cap and stem.

So does this apply for alloy stems and alloy steerer. My cube hasn't got a spacer on the top.

keezx

No it's not necessary with a alloy steerer.

Wheelspinner

Just don't use a star nut on a carbon steerer tube!