Bicycle Mechanics - Cutting a Fork

I want to cut the steerer tube on my road bike. Its a carbon fork with a carbon steerer and im currently riding it with spacers sticking out on top. Any advice on how to go about this? Do i just take a hacksaw and start cutting? Should i just take it to the LBS? Thanks.

I've used a hacksaw on my garage sale and pawn shop bikes several times. Carbon says, "take me to the LBS," to me. Someone else might know more, but I'd say be very careful.

KTK

you need a 32 tooth hacksaw to get a clean cut

Absolutely do not cut it yourself. Take it to a local shop to do it properly. Also, with carbon steerers, it is advisable to clamp it a little ways down with spacers on top. The very top of the steerer is the weak spot. Look at all the road bikes the pros ride. There are always spacers on and below the stem clamp.

Don't use a tubing cutter.

We use a diamond dust hacksaw blade at the shop. The diamond dust blade doesn't have teeth like a hacksaw blade so it doesn't rip through the carbon, potentially damaging the remaining carbon, it sands through it making a smooth cut.

You can't use a tubing cutter on carbon.

If you have an old stem you can use it as a guide to make a squared cut.
Use a blade with high tooth count and wrap the steer column with masking tape. cut through the tape, it will keep the tube from splintering/ fraying

Tubing cutter? Take carbon to an LBS?

It's fairly simple. First measure about three times to get the right spot. Take a length of masking tape and wrap it around so you have a smooth line. Use a fine tooh hacksaw takeing a series of cuts around the tube. Go slowly and you'll be fine. Done it a dozen times and it always comes out right.

Thanks all

Don't use a blade that has cut metal before. Please and thank you.

It's pretty easy to do. Do a search in this sub-forum. I posted a detailed guide on how I did it several weeks ago. Most important thing is that you need to wear a mask.

Tubing cutter? Take carbon to an LBS?

It's fairly simple. First measure about three times to get the right spot. Take a length of masking tape and wrap it around so you have a smooth line. Use a fine tooh hacksaw takeing a series of cuts around the tube. Go slowly and you'll be fine. Done it a dozen times and it always comes out right.

This is true but any decent shop will have a cutting guide that virtually guarantees a straight, clean cut.

I've found that a six-pack of decent beer will usually inspire them to drop whatever they are doing and jump right on that steering tube; at no charge, of course.

Do what you are comfortable with, but don't clamp your stem to the very top of a carbon steerer.

Operation was a success. (Atleast cosmetically, havent ridden it yet.) Thanks all.