Fork Replacement - Trek Hybrid

Gray said:

I did something stupid... and now I need a new fork.

I need to replace the fork which was on my Trek Navigator 100 hybrid.
It was a RST Com I CT (50mm). I have found replacements, but they are
all sold without the steering tube. I can't figure out how my steerer
tube detaches from what's left of my fork. It looks like it was just
pressed in. There does not seem to be a bolt or nut of any kind which
holds the tube fork.

Q. -- How do I remove the existing tube? With a rubber mallet?

Q. -- How do I determine if the existing tube is still good? Even after
screwing up mine, the handlebars turned left right with no apparent
binding or resistence.

Q. -- How do I install a new fork with the existing tube? Mallet again?

Q. -- A new RST of same model costs $85. Although it's a hybrid, I'll
never ride it anywhere but streets, paved trails, groomed trails and
parks. Is there any reason to consider any other fork instead? If so,
what?

same problem - ordered a new RST fork and it came without steerer.. the
OLD RST fork (next model down) has a press-fit steerer. Do we have to
order the new steerer or can I press the old one out and use it? The
instructions that came with it are spectacularly unclear about this,
cautioning only that we not try to re-install it in the press-fit
crown... of course the old fork is scrap - Ъ×

Gray said:

I did something stupid... and now I need a new fork.

What happened?
--
Phil Lee, Squid

I put my bike on my Yak roof rack, then drove under something very
solid which was taller than my van, but shorter than my bike on top of
my van. Needless to say, the rig didn't limbo well enough to survive
unscathed. The impact left dropouts and bottom half of the forks still
securely fastened to the Yak skewers, while the bike whipped back
against the back/side of the van secured by a now cresent shaped rear
wheel still strapped to the rack. Probably $200 in damage to my $300
bike and $1k of damage to the van. I can still hear the horrible sound
of it all. Ironically, I put the bike up there on the way to work so
that I could take it to the bike shop later in the day for a tuneup.

Gray says...

Quoted message said:

Q. -- A new RST of same model costs $85. Although it's a hybrid, I'll
never ride it anywhere but streets, paved trails, groomed trails and
parks. Is there any reason to consider any other fork instead? If so,
what?

You may be able to get a rigid fork if you choose the right one. The
picture I saw of your bike looks like it has a threaded steerer, but
that could be wrong. The bike may have some odd componentry and
dimensions which might make aftermarket parts unusable. It would
probably be easiest to take it to a Trek dealer and get it put back into
original condition, but that may cost more than half the price of a new
one.

....to answer the question (my own and the original poster's) - yes, the
press-fit steer tube dropped out of the crown on the old fork with
application of a torch and a hard tap from a two-by-four, and it fit
the crown of the new fork perfectly.
There now, that was easy, wasn't it? is this GENERALLY known? how
many people just pony up twenty bucks for a new tube? - Ъ×