Shortening fork top tube

miggeth · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 128

Does anyone know if it's possible to reposition the nut that's inside the top tube of the fork, and if it is, how to do it?

I've cut the tube down as far as the nut but I'm still having to use 4 spacers below the stem. To cut any further I need to get the nut inside the top tube down a couple of centimetres.

I thought about smacking it with a mallet but then decided to ask here as they're carbon forks and brand new.

tomlevell · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 714

I assume the steerer tube is metal?

If it's carbon ignore the below.

The star nut should bang down the steerer. You want it approx 10 to 15mm below the top of the steerer tube after it's cut.

DIY way is put the bolt in and carefully tap it down with a hammer. Be careful to keep it straight

Proper way there is a tool that screws into it and you hit that with a hammer and it self rights straight.

If it all goes pear shaped you can put a new star nut in and either bang the old one out or leave it in.

You can put headset spacer above the stem too BTW. I always leave about 10mm above for future changes and a longer steerer makes it easier to sell.

BMR · Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 653 Location: Notts/Derby

Hi,
Quick tip on taping the star nut down your steerer. Get a long bolt (about 4" should do). screw a nut onto the bolt so the thread sticks out about 3/8"get a roll of cheap 13mm wide or 17mm wide masking tape and wind it onto the bolt just above the nut. Keep winding the tape onto the bolt until it is the same size diameter as the inside of your steerer tube. support the crown of the fork on a vice or any suitable solid object, screw the bolt into the star nut until the nut touches it then drift the star nut down the tube by hiting the head of the bolt, the tape will show you that it is line and the star nut is pushed down the tube by the nut on the bolt and not the threads. Make sure you only tap it a little at a time so you dont tap it down too far.

Steve Kish · Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 2425 Location: Near Heathrow

miggeth · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 128

Sorry for the confusion, I didn't know they made carbon steerers. No, they're carbon forks, but the steerer is definitely metal.

Thanks for the tips, it's safe to hit then.

tomlevell · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 714

Yup.

Just measure twice before cutting ;0)

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