So when have people been comfortable cutting the stem tube on their bike?
06-05-18, 02:39 PM
#27
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Day one. Slam it, cut it, don't look back. If I need my bars higher, I'll fix it with the stem angle. I have specialized stems on all of my bikes, and some spares. I can adjust in 2º increments from -12º to +12º.
06-07-18, 10:05 AM
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06-07-18, 11:08 AM
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Two days from brand new. My last bike was 20mm lower than my new one with the stem slammed, so I knew I wasn't in any danger of being too low.
2018 Trek Domane SLR, 60cm, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3 wheels.
2018 Domane SLR Project one, Waterloo Blue, Aeolus Pro 3 wheels.
2018 Trek Domane SLR, 60cm, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3 wheels.
2018 Domane SLR Project one, Waterloo Blue, Aeolus Pro 3 wheels.
06-07-18, 11:15 AM
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I figure the time to cut my steerer is when I stop aging. (Sadly, at that point I will no longer care.) So I don't.
Ben
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06-07-18, 01:12 PM
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06-07-18, 02:16 PM
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06-08-18, 03:53 PM
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well it's sticking up like 2 spacers (like a bit over an inch). And I want to get one of those sp connect mounts for my phone that replaces the top cap. ( why? Why not) and an out front for the computer im going to be getting on father's day. Yes I know what people will say but I want it all right there.
06-08-18, 03:56 PM
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06-08-18, 03:59 PM
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06-08-18, 04:25 PM
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06-08-18, 04:34 PM
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06-08-18, 05:01 PM
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06-08-18, 07:27 PM
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If you want to cut your steerer flush, here's a way you can make it a couple mm longer:
First, look at your top cap. Does it have a projection below the top of the stem that will interfere with the expander plug at maximum height? If so, Dremel that puppy until not.
Now, having cut your steerer like an ally one, ie as long as possible without quite reaching the top of your stem, add the little external chamfer as seen in the vid above. Then, do a much larger internal chamfer all the way to meet the external one, between 30-45° (the shallower the better, but it makes the next step more difficult).
Get your expander plug and disassemble it. Take the upper section, and file or Dremel its external diameter until it matches the circle made by the peak of your two chamfers on the steerer. Then chamfer its lower edge until it fits nice and flush in the steerer, bingo.
If you have an expander plug that requires that upper section to turn when you tighten it, you'll need to do a really nice job - when you're almost there you can pop a bit of sandpaper between the plug top and steerer and work one or the other until they don't grab each other - or, just get a better kind of expander plug.
It's a fair bit of work for a couple of mm, but if there's a good reason to have the steerer poking out, then there's a good reason to do this, aside from leaving a little leeway in case you change stems and end up with one a couple mm taller.
First, look at your top cap. Does it have a projection below the top of the stem that will interfere with the expander plug at maximum height? If so, Dremel that puppy until not.
Now, having cut your steerer like an ally one, ie as long as possible without quite reaching the top of your stem, add the little external chamfer as seen in the vid above. Then, do a much larger internal chamfer all the way to meet the external one, between 30-45° (the shallower the better, but it makes the next step more difficult).
Get your expander plug and disassemble it. Take the upper section, and file or Dremel its external diameter until it matches the circle made by the peak of your two chamfers on the steerer. Then chamfer its lower edge until it fits nice and flush in the steerer, bingo.
If you have an expander plug that requires that upper section to turn when you tighten it, you'll need to do a really nice job - when you're almost there you can pop a bit of sandpaper between the plug top and steerer and work one or the other until they don't grab each other - or, just get a better kind of expander plug.
It's a fair bit of work for a couple of mm, but if there's a good reason to have the steerer poking out, then there's a good reason to do this, aside from leaving a little leeway in case you change stems and end up with one a couple mm taller.
