Bicycle Mechanics - How do I install the starnut?

Howdy,

My "winter" project is underway. I'm building up a time trial bike from scratch. Anyway, I am installing the fork onto the frame and need to get a starnut into the steerer tube (integrated, threadless headset). On my other bike, it appears as though you just tap it down carefully into the steerer tube once it is cut to the right length. Is this correct? Are there any tips or tricks I need to know before I do it?

Also, what's the easiest wat to cut the steerer tube? I would guess a hack saw and a mitre box.

Thanks!

as far as cutting the steerer, yeah. a mitre box and a hacksaw basically. make sure you have a strong/sharp blade so it doesn't wind up cutting the steerer at an angle. you want it to be as straight as possible. it should go without saying that once you cut it a good idea is to take a file to the end and clean it up, file down all the burrs both on the outside and inside.

dont forget, you want to cut it approx 3mm short of the top of your stem/spacer stack.

as far as installing the star nut, park makes a special tool that the nut threads on to and you just hammer it in. i cant think of a real easy way to do that at home without the tool. well, not a way that'll make it go in straight. this is one of those things, sort of like installing headset cups, that really is best done at a LBS who has the tools to do it. it's not worth buying the tools on your own since you'll probably never use them again.

if ou do try and install it yourself, i reckon the top of the star nut should be about 15mm below the top of the steerer, and try your hardest to make sure it goes in straight.

I've only installed one star nut and it was pretty simple.

I first screwed the bolt into the star nut itself and pushed it into the steer tube as strait as I could. then I removed the bolt and used an tube/pipe to gently pound the nut in another inch or so. making sure to push the nut in square, not tilted.

I also cut my steer tube using an old hacksaw blade, holding the fork in a vice. I'm pretty good w/ a hacksaw so I got it strait enough. I then cleaned it up w/ a file.

i completely forgot about this. if you're using a fork with a carbon steerer don't use a starnut. important, that one.

Thanks for all the advice!