cutting your own steer tube...

[mikemel]

ive never tried this before, so im just wondering if anyone has any instructions, tips, or just wants to tell me i shouldnt try...thanks.

I use a pipe cutter. Its one of those clamp thing that you tighten as you spin it around the pipe, or steerer tube. If you use a pipe cutter tighten it very slowly. I tighten just until the clamp sticks where it is then turn around and around until its loose, then repeat about a milion times. When your done take a file to it and dull the edges a bit.

-Josef

[Raacerx]

12" chop saw. takes about a half second.

[crashnscar]

hack saws are alot better to use except you have to make sure to make it straight

If you use a pipe cutter, be sure not to tighten it alot, just slowly but surely. Also file it like Jose F said

[wildyoats]

use a chop saw.
just make sure to be steady and slow so it doesnt deform. use a file to clean the edges and ur set.

[Quasi]

If you use a hacksaw and dont have a park cutting jig, just use an old stem so your cut will be straight.

[SuperJ]

if you use a tubing cutter it leaves a ridge that you have to remove with a file.

[quietriot447]

i have had a lot of experince cutting pipe and i find it difficult to cut a pipe straight with a hack saw so i recomend that u invest in a pipe cutter or have a shop do it so u dont **** up ur fork

u can get a pipe cutter at www.jensonusa.com or at a local hardware store

i think they are about 15 bucks

[wddung]

I assume that you asked because you were interested in cutting it yourself (or with guided assistance). If this is the case, skip this post.

I suppose if you plan on using the pipe cutter more than a handful of times, investing $15 for the tool may pay for itself within a few uses.

However, if you want your fork ready to ride ASAP then listen up!
WSBS cut the steerer tube of my Manitou BLACK for something like $5. I would raise serious doubt that you can find any combination of [effort expended + cost of tool + time spent cutting it down to size] that would be less than the [travel time + $5] it takes to have a bike shop do it for you.

Believe me. I love tooling with my ride. But sometimes, I just want to ride without having to work on it. ... enter: bike shop.

-Dung

[drtbikrrlives]

Use a pipe cutter. Don't even bother with a saw all you're gonna do with it is Fvck up your steer tube. If you don't have one, you can borrow mine.
Nick

[motomack86]

a pipe cutter will flare the steer tube which will then make mounting your stem much harder.hacksaw with the park saw guide is the only way to go.

Originally Posted by motomack86

a pipe cutter will flare the steer tube which will then make mounting your stem much harder.hacksaw with the park saw guide is the only way to go.

Unless you have a file to round down the edges. I've used a pipe cutter on tons of stuff like steerer tubes and seat posts. It does flare out the edges but all it takes is some file-ing.

Looks like you got a lot of good ideas. Hope all this helps.

-Jos

[mikemel]

yeah, thanks guys...since i have acess to a chop saw i think ill just do it with that (seems easiest and fastest).

[SuperJ]

remember to double check the leingth before you cut it

[mikemel]

yeah...i need to make some jank clamp things for the chop saw though, it probably wont hold my fork right without some properly cut wood blocks, but it will give me a straight cut

edit: plus, cutting steel with a chop saw is fun ****