Anyone ever cut a carbon fork while it's still on the bike?

[mdeth1313]

I just did it. I found it easier than using my fork cutting guide in a vise.

It's a disc brake bike that came assembled and I really didn't want to have to start with removing the fork because the hydraulic brake line runs internally.

After finding my ideal spot I used some "throwaway" alloy spacers, figured out where I wanted to cut and then stacked on other spacers to the top of the fork and used a long steel bolt to attach to the expander. Tightened down enough that it allowed a hacksaw blade to cut and went at it from different angles so I didn't cut the bolt. Took about 2 minutes once I had it set at the ideal height. I wish I had taken pictures before I started.

https://i.postimg.cc/5yhFJ6nH/1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/7JNLMYvD)

https://i.postimg.cc/D0JbRqdk/2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[weisan]

Don't let the Adjudicator who goes after people who clamp their top tubes on bike stand know,...they will hunt you down to your 4th generations...

[jasonification]

Don't let the Adjudicator who goes after people who clamp their top tubes on bike stand know,...they will hunt you down to your 4th generations...Potd

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[Clean39T]

Have done. And I'll do it again too..

Usually with a saw guide though.

I once cut a steel steerer with a Dremel too inside a studio apartment kitchen. Wifey was not happy for some reason.

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[Bici-Sonora]

Haha—never cut a fork on a bike, but have degreased a whole bunch of parts in spouse’s foot soak tub in the kitchen. Didn’t go over really well with her for some reason?


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[mktng]

I do it in a pinch.
But getting carbon dust or metal dust all over the steerer and inside the HT isn't something I like dealing with.
So if I have no choice. Yes haha.

[wallymann]

Have done. And I'll do it again too..


same here!

[ahumblecycler]

Done it as well and will again.

Nice Paralane! I’ve been looking at that bike and would appreciate a ride report after you put in some miles.

[ntb1001]

I’ve done it on a few bikes.

I usually put a cloth rag over most of the bars and brakes to keep clean and I use a mini grinder with a thin fibre disk...cuts smooth and clean. I also do the same as you and use an old alloy spacer as a cutting guide


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[R3awak3n]

Have done it but with a saw guide. Put some tape to cover stuff so that the dust would not go into the bearings and worked great.

[mdeth1313]

Done it as well and will again.

Nice Paralane! I’ve been looking at that bike and would appreciate a ride report after you put in some miles.

I've had it for a little over a year now. Position changed significantly so I became necessary to cut the fork. I love that bike. I ditched the crap zipp202's that came with it and opted for farsport wheels (novatec hubs) which are significantly lighter, tubeless and far less expensive. I now have 2 wheel sets - one for wider gravel tires and one with slicks for more paved road riding.

It has a monster head tube and with the endurance geo it's super stable. I can get tucked in on a downhill and just let it fly. Love their fenders as well. I've found the bike can handle up to a 35 mm width tire. With fenders the rear can take about 32-33 mm.

The gravel king SK's I have are 35's - they go out to about 37-38 mm on these wheels which is probably why I had some clearance issues with the fenders on there. I had to switch the rear to a 32 and have no issues with that.

Otherwise the bike handles well, is light enough and mine is the etap version (all 3 of my bikes have etap). I switched the bars/stem and went for a FSA crankset for 46/30 gearing as some of the dirt roads around here run up to 20% grades.

I can't complain about anything on this bike. Definitely one of my better purchases.

This is a picture of it from last Sunday before I cut the fork.

https://i.postimg.cc/59w2P4Ck/image.jpg (https://postimg.cc/HjkmnC3Q)

[robt57]

same here!

+1

Even done steel threadless with a Sawsall on the bike. Lots of tape and rags in case.

Don't recommend the heavy machinery for those too lite for heavy work or too heavy for light work... 30 year of renovation sawsall use/experience helpful.

But don't count out Dirty Harry: “A man's got to know his limitations.”

[charliedid]

As long as you cut it the right height for it's future owner...

:)

[robt57]

Like the tooty fruity accents!! how are you BTW?

I've had it for a little over a year now.
https://i.postimg.cc/59w2P4Ck/image.jpg (https://postimg.cc/HjkmnC3Q)

[mdeth1313]

Like the tooty fruity accents!! how are you BTW?

Having a good time riding. Waiting to hear what our reopening plans are for school!

[CNY rider]

+1

Even done steel threadless with a Sawsall on the bike. Lots of tape and rags in case.

Don't recommend the heavy machinery for those too lite for heavy work or too heavy for light work... 30 year of renovation sawsall use/experience helpful.

But don't count out Dirty Harry: “A man's got to know his limitations.”

That's impressive....no way I would even try that.
I love my Sawzall but not for anything requiring fine work.

[robt57]

Having a good time riding. Waiting to hear what our reopening plans are for school!

Cool, hope the family is all still well, and you of course.

Ciao

[mdeth1313]

As long as you cut it the right height for it's future owner...

:)

Cute, but I think this one stays with me until it dies! Took a long time to get there, but I've settled in with my 3 bikes.

[Manolom21]

Did it before and used headset spacers as my guide and a fine tooth hand saw. Covered the frame up nice and was simple as can be.

[one60]

what the long Tarmac SL7 video advert for the NEW SL7. About midway, there is a scene where they are cutting a steering tube without a guide or any other tools...surprised me to see that...

As others have suggested, can be done just use common sense and go slow

[BRad704]

Nice reminder... I've got an Emonda that needs whackin'

[oldpotatoe]

Once upon a time, in galaxy....blah..It was standard to screw the below onto the fork, while on the bike and cut it..no reason the threadless version couldn't do the same thing.

[mdeth1313]

Once upon a time, in galaxy....blah..It was standard to screw the below onto the fork, while on the bike and cut it..no reason the threadless version couldn't do the same thing.

I have that. Thought about doing just what you said. Not sure why, but I never seem to get a level cut when I use it (and mine is Parktool). So I figured I'd try this and I ended up with a clean, level cut using the alloy spacers as a guide.

[Hawker]

I'm the guy who measures...six times and still get's it wrong. I would never attempt the cut while still on the frame. But obviously I'm in the minority. Good luck!

[sparky33]

I just did it. I found it easier than using my fork cutting guide in a vise.


I did it yesterday for a variety of reasons, not my typical method. The Park Toool jig makes a clean cut.

I fully expect that the bike will now only make right turns or some such calamity.

[RedRider]

"Just because you can doesn't mean you should." Famous quote.
This topic is definitely applicable!

[bikinchris]

I would much prefer to ride a bike where simple things and repairs are not a ordeal.
There really is no reason for the average rider to have a bike that requires more than 4 or 5 simple bolts to take the fork off.

[9tubes]

What do you guys do for protection from carbon dust?

[BRad704]

What do you guys do for protection from carbon dust?



Just this morning... I crammed a paper towel into the tube and wrapped a good size junk tshirt around the stem and head tube. Cut with a hacksaw over a junk spacer. Then vacuumed it all with a hand vac before removing the paper towel and shirt.

Hope this doesn’t trigger anyone. [emoji16]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200808/1e46192e3a7727d82e01650c51d2326b.jpg


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[teleguy57]

I have also kept the cutting surface and blade wet with water from a spray bottle to reduce the amount of dust getting into the air