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cutting carbon steerer

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  • April 20, 2012 at 7:09 pm #15594
    lazyusername

    I’ve got to cut the steerer tube on a new build shortly, it’s carbon. Have never cut the steerer tube myself before, is it going to involve more than a hacksaw and a pipe cutting guide to get it straight?

    Are there any pitfalls I should be aware of?

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Viewing 8 replies - 16 through 23 (of 23 total)
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  • April 21, 2012 at 6:47 am #675445
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    lazyusername

    Thanks everyone
    Thanks everyone

    April 20, 2012 at 9:37 pm #675443
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    matt637

    dont get too worried. A
    dont get too worried. A junior hacksaw with a high TPI, a cutting guide and some tape round the steerer where you are going to cut. I have done 2 successfully and have always cut straight through. The carbon will split badly if you don’t put the tape on. Just take your time, and slam that stem!

    April 20, 2012 at 9:25 pm #675441
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    thereandbackagain

    Yep – good advice in here. I
    Yep – good advice in here. I was a bit anxious about it initially, but tbh it was pretty easy.

    When I cut mine down I used masking tape, drew the cut line on that and made a shallow cut all the way around with a jnr hacksaw blade. Once the shallow groove was there I used light pressure and made the cut. It went fine.

    Use a fine grade of wet & dry paper to put a small 45 degree chamfer on the new top edge. That looks neat, and helps the stem & spacers to slide on easily. Use a mask or keep your head away from the carbon dust.

    Make sure when you measure you cut it low enough for the top cap of the aheadset to have a couple of mm of free space to tighten down on the headset stack. Last thing you want is a lovely neat cut that doesn’t let you adjust it properly.

    April 20, 2012 at 9:22 pm #675439
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    garyh

    Buy a Carbide Grit Hacksaw
    Buy a Carbide Grit Hacksaw Blade for your normal hacksaw – much cheaper than buying the Park one.

    April 20, 2012 at 8:31 pm #675437
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    dave atkinson

    Park do a specific hacksaw
    Park do a specific hacksaw blade (CSB-1) for carbon steerers, it has a grinding surface instead of teeth so it’s kinder to the carbon. trikeman’s advice about starting the cut all the way around the steerer first is well worth following too.

    April 20, 2012 at 8:22 pm #675435
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    spongebob

    I’m glad I didnt know that
    I’m glad I didnt know that before I went to town on my steerer trikeman as it would have taken forever!

    April 20, 2012 at 7:55 pm #675433
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    trikeman

    Hi, I have always used a wide
    Hi, I have always used a wide masking tape slowly wrapped around the tube once you know where the cut is to be made. Being wide and used with little tension it will keep the tape line straight. If both ends meet perfect then your cut guide line will be correct.
    I use junior type hacksaws on carbon, but don’t just go from one point, slowly revolve the tube lightly sawing as you go. Once you have a good guide line it is just a matter of folowing this carefully around making the cut deeper as you go. Finaly finish with a light file. Sometimes just sawing straight through with a large hacksaw CAN splinter the carbon and send a sliver down the tube – you don’t want this. Take your time and you will be OK.
    There are special ‘clamps’ that can be bought, but if its only the one the above method works well.
    I have used this for ‘donkeys’ on carbon, aluminium and steel without issues.
    Hope this helps.
    Regards

    Trikeman. đŸ˜‰

    April 20, 2012 at 7:24 pm #675431
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    spongebob

    just cut mine using a pen and
    just cut mine using a pen and a hack saw. Just go for it bro

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