South Bound
Senior Retro Guru
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Second this method - pipe cutters can be quite agricultural if used badly. Good sharp blade and a tube guide like this - well worth £15. I think the Park equivalent is over £30...
Cutting Steerer Tubes
- Thread starter Pickle
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Second this method - pipe cutters can be quite agricultural if used badly. Good sharp blade and a tube guide like this - well worth £15. I think the Park equivalent is over £30...
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buy the tool for the star nut . I used to be in favour of a big hammer and brute force , but on my work bike , I know have in the steerer 3 star nuts ( 2 bended ) and several instruments I used to try to get them off !! 
add a bit of weight !! :roll:
add a bit of weight !! :roll:
Plumbers pipe cutter will do a superb job ,ask your local plumber to do it for you ,but watch out for the call out charge
AS to the star nut,i had in about 21.32mm so about an inch below the steerer end
And i like it to stick 42-50mm proud above the headset,most stems being about 40mm high[leaves room for spacers]
Guess who just bought a digital caliper [no brake puns please]
AS to the star nut,i had in about 21.32mm so about an inch below the steerer end
And i like it to stick 42-50mm proud above the headset,most stems being about 40mm high[leaves room for spacers]
Guess who just bought a digital caliper
[no brake puns please]sastusbulbas
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I have many years of experience as a bike mechanic, and I say pipe cutters though convenient are no substitute for a sharp hacksaw blade and a cutting guide.
Seriously, a pipe cutter can manipulate the steerer by ovalising the tube as it cuts, and usually leaves a lip which requires more filing, I have seen alloy steerers damaged by over enthusiastic use of such tools.
The hacksaw guide above at £15 is superb and very recommended. I would never let any of my mechanics cut a steerer without such a guide, and thy would have a talking to if caught with a pipe cutter.
As for the star nut, this is very easy to mess up, I know as I train mechanics to use such tools, and still see badly held hammers/guides and mistakes from guys who have been doing it for a couple of years, or who think they know how to do it.
My advice is if unsure then pay your LBS to do the work (or at least the star nut unless you have the appropriate tool and hammer skills and a strong vice with soft jaws.), they have the tools and experience, and it won't cost you much more than a packet of biscuits and the above tool which you may only use once or twice anyway
Steve
Seriously, a pipe cutter can manipulate the steerer by ovalising the tube as it cuts, and usually leaves a lip which requires more filing, I have seen alloy steerers damaged by over enthusiastic use of such tools.
The hacksaw guide above at £15 is superb and very recommended. I would never let any of my mechanics cut a steerer without such a guide, and thy would have a talking to if caught with a pipe cutter.
As for the star nut, this is very easy to mess up, I know as I train mechanics to use such tools, and still see badly held hammers/guides and mistakes from guys who have been doing it for a couple of years, or who think they know how to do it.
My advice is if unsure then pay your LBS to do the work (or at least the star nut unless you have the appropriate tool and hammer skills and a strong vice with soft jaws.), they have the tools and experience, and it won't cost you much more than a packet of biscuits and the above tool which you may only use once or twice anyway
Steve
