Tip - cutting an aluminum seatpost
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 161
Bikes: CAAD10 and TMR01 daily riders
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Tip - cutting an aluminum seatpost
I just installed a new KCNC Ti Pro Lite seatpost to replace my stock Roubaix seatpost. It was significantly longer than I needed.
A copper tubing cutter that is used for plumbing makes a GREAT seatpost cutter. Very clean cut.
FWIW.....
A copper tubing cutter that is used for plumbing makes a GREAT seatpost cutter. Very clean cut.
FWIW.....
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
The only problem with pipe cutters is they tend to leave a raised ridge on both sides of the cut line. You have to file or sand this off after cutting to make the post fit properly.
I've cut over-long seatposts down using the same cutting guide and 32 tpi hacksaw I use for cutting fork steerer tubes. It also works well but I do file a bevel on the outside cut end of the post to make insertion in the sea tube easier.
I've cut over-long seatposts down using the same cutting guide and 32 tpi hacksaw I use for cutting fork steerer tubes. It also works well but I do file a bevel on the outside cut end of the post to make insertion in the sea tube easier.
#3
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
225 Posts
Tubing cutter works great for aluminum handlebars.
How about for steel bars?
How about for steel bars?
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#4
Used to be Conspiratemus
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Hamilton ON Canada
Posts: 1,512
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 245 Times
in
163 Posts
Good to file a bevel on the inside cut edge too, just so you don't cut your finger on the burrs left behind by the saw (or pipe cutter) when someday -- you will -- you stick your finger into the end of the post. Finish with emery cloth. Nice.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
There are cutters made to cut steel pipe but the average hardware store cutter is intended for copper pipe and steel tubing will ruin the cutter in short order. A fine tooth hacksaw is the way to go on anything steel (or carbon for that matter).
#6
headtube.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 803
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
There was one project where I used a typical hardware store tubing cutter to make 195 cuts on steel electrical conduit, seemed to hold up fine. Handlebar tubing might be harder but they are up to cutting mild steel.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 161
Bikes: CAAD10 and TMR01 daily riders
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hmmm, didn't experience this. I believe my tubing cutter had rollers set to roll that raised ridge back down.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: The Mangroves, UK
Posts: 1,896
Bikes: None.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I used both and prefer the pipe cutter. A tip from the MTB hacksaw boys who hack bars down in the wild, is to use the lockrings from a lock-on h/bar grip positioned either side of the proposed cut to keep you square.
No good on fatter seat tubes.
No good on fatter seat tubes.
Last edited by snafu21; 06-11-10 at 06:43 AM.