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Any recommendations or should I just stick with the hacksaw method + guide. I want to make a straight clean cut first time as i only have about 5-10mm to chop off...
Thanks
pipe cutter is fine but leaves a burr so you need to file it off
I used a hacksaw on a couple of forks and never got a clean, straight cut no matter how hard I tried. Bought a cheap pipe cutter from Wickes and never looked back. Takes a while to do but I've never had any issues and the finish is sooo much cleaner
I bought one for this purpose. It works and you get a nice straight cut. But it will need a bit of filing still. you end up with a bur on the top as the final bit just sort of snaps off, and the top edge for some reason tapers out meaning spacers dont quite fit, so that will need filing down too. I've got a Dremel so just did it with that in 30 secs. So yes it works and has a nice finish once its sorted out, but don't expect it to be any less work.
I only ever use a hack saw for the job - slow and carefully. If you're only taking off 5mm I wouldn't recommend a pipe cutter. Not much of the section being cut off for the rollers to run on. Could go wrong.
Do you really need to cut 10mm off?
Just stick a spacer above the stem.
You might swap frame one day and need the extra length.
I invested in an expensive pipe cutter that I've used on all my forks and for taking smaller amounts off others steerers. You just need to be patient and careful and not just wind on the pressure fast. It's got a deburrer built in so any burrs are gone in a swipe.
Do you really need to cut 10mm off?
Just stick a spacer above the stem.
You might swap frame one day and need the extra length.
This. Unless your trimming plan already involves some spacers above the stem.
while we're all in here....
trimming some carbon tri bars (c.15mm diameter) for Mrs S, is a junior hacksaw with a new blade suitable?
Depending on the type of pipe cutter you use, 5-10mm might be a bit of a challenge/impossible, dependent on design.
As above, I'd be tempted to put another spacer in.
However, cutting a piece of tube with a hacksaw isn't really much of a task for a man with basic man skilz - wrap a piece of tape round and cut (to the correct side of the tape!!!). It doesn't even have to be THAT straight.
Birzman make a very nice cutter, bit more expensive than a pipe cutter but works really well. It's a bit bigger, the diameter of a fork steerer is a at the top end of what a pipe cutter will manage.
Hacksaw and two old stems clamped on the steerer as cutting guides.
Stoner - got an tile cutter with a diamond wheel? just use that with the water for lubrication.
Otherwise a fine tooth hacksaw blade is fine on carbon, just put very low pressure as it breaks through and clean up any burrs with wet and dry.
Thanks for opinions so far... Have 5mm spacer above all my other steerers but 10mm on this one and think it looks untidy... Steel frame with a fairly long headtube anyway...