Installing new forks

dannyfrankszzz posted:

Quoted message said:

I'm changing from a set of suspension forks to a set of
rigid forks; for more response and speed.

I know that I'm going to have to cut the steerer down to
size and change the brake calipers over.

However, I don't really have any clue about the headset.

Is this a big job that's beyond an amateur mechanic like
me or would I be best advised to leave it to the experts?

Thanks, Danny.

Having done this the other way, gone from a threaded steerer
on rigid forks, to an A-head set non-threaded suspension
fork, I can confirm that it's a dead easy job .. 😉

The hardest part is keeping the cut perpendicular and
straight. Once you've measured, measure again, then check it
and get someone else to have a look .. 😉 Use a decent
hacksaw blade and a decent vice or make sure the tube's well-
clamped so it doesn't spin as you cut. If you're worried
about cutting it, take the fork or steerer tube, suitably
marked, to any local engineering shop / corner garage /
local bike shop, and they'll do a good job cutting it for
you. I saw a Decathlon 'technician' cut one with a junior
hacksaw, and make a fair job of it ..

--
Paul ...

(8(|) ... Homer Rocks

dannyfrankszzz said:

I'm changing from a set of suspension forks to a set of
rigid forks; for more response and speed.

I know that I'm going to have to cut the steerer down to
size and change the brake calipers over.

However, I don't really have any clue about the headset.

Is this a big job that's beyond an amateur mechanic like
me or would I be best advised to leave it to the experts?

Thanks, Danny.

No need to cut the steerer down to size if you use an
aheadset headset. Just put spacers above and below to get
the right bar height. As for fitting the headset, if you
feel confident about your mechanical skills it can be done
as a home job but you need to have a reasonable feel for
what you are doing. The two key tasks are pressing in the
headset cups and bedding the crown race down on the forks.
These are both tight fits and they have an unerring tendency
to want to twist off square. You can make up an improvised
press with some threaded rod and washers or a bit of wood
and mallet. If you can borrow a proper headset press its
much easier. Without the proper press its a slow job of
slowly easing the cups in and tapping them to resquare them
as they start to twist.

Only you can gauge whether you feel up to that.

Tony

dannyfrankszzz said:

I'm changing from a set of suspension forks to a set of
rigid forks; for more response and speed.

I know that I'm going to have to cut the steerer
down to size

You could do that yourself with a hacksaw. Always allow a
little more length than you think you need! ...In fact loads
more to begin with, then recut.

Quoted message said:

and change the brake calipers over.

However, I don't really have any clue about the headset.

Is this a big job that's beyond an amateur mechanic like
me or would I be best advised to leave it to the experts?

Fitting the head tube cups is the trickiest bit. Best done
with proper (expensive) tools*. It is possible with home-
made tools or bodges but I personally wouldn't recommend it:
unpleasant and there's a chance you might make a
knackeration of it. Others will strongly disagree with me.
Fork crown race is also not easy, IMO.

Lower half of your current headset could be reused if you
like, by the way. That doesn't know what's at the top of the
steerer tube.

info: url:http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.sht-
ml#headset

* Worth investing in if you like being self-sufficient and
expect to fit a few headsets in your lifetime. Cyclus
stuff is great value. Need headcup & crown race removal
and fitting tools.

~PB

Tony Raven said:

No need to cut the steerer down to size if you use an
aheadset headset. Just put spacers above and below to get
the right bar height.

New threadless forks are often supplied with 300mm steerers.
One of those might be a bit funny in a small frame!

~PB

Pete Biggs said:

Tony Raven said:

No need to cut the steerer down to size if you use an
aheadset headset. Just put spacers above and below to get
the right bar height.

New threadless forks are often supplied with 300mm
steerers. One of those might be a bit funny in a
small frame!

~PB

True and once you are sure maybe cut the excess off but I've
seen it too many times where people cut the steerer and then
later wish they'd cut it longer (and sometimes made a
mistake and cut it too short for what they intended)

Tony