[Tech Corner] How To Cut A New Fork Steerer Tube

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So you have just received that new fork and you cant wait to put it on your bike, but wait, we need to cut the steerer tube down to size, this is how to do it properly.

Tools required: Pipe cutter, measure, file, star-nut setter, hammer.

It’s just arrived your new fork and it is time to fit to your bike!

One problem, the steerer tube needs trimming…there are stories abound of disasters.

First measure how much you need to cut off, take a rule of thumb that never less than 17 cm’s (6.5inches) long. However check your old fork first, make sure you are happy with the length, then measure that.

Our mechanic likes to steady himself with a stool… for operations like this.

Take your pipe cutting tool.

Place the tool on the tube at the point you marked where to cut.

Be precise and twist the knob into position.

Move the knife and start the process of cutting the tube.

Keep going until the waste part falls off.

It should look like this, even tension on the pipe cutting tool will give this finish effect.

Do not break off the tube!

Take a file and then remove any burrs or excess material.

Another alternative is to use a grinding wheel, gently.

The finished fork top should look like this.

Take your star setting tool.

Take a new unused star nut.

Load the tool like this.

Place the tool on top of the fork steerer tube.

In a steady position start to gently tap the tool so the star nut goes into it’s place.

It is correctly inserted when the whole tool is compressed.

Un-screw gently the tool from the star nut.

The star nut is now set properly, taking time is the key to making sure the top is filed cleanly and the star nut is straight.

Place on the bottom race of the headset. For metal ones they may need tapping on with a rubber hammer.

We weighed our fork… just to know.

Tech tip by Bagnoli Bike.

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