Newbie fork questions

tumbleweed said:

I just bought a frame and need to get a fork for it, (looking at carbon) and have a few questions
for the group before I buy.

1. What is 'rake', and how do know how much I need for my frame?

sheldonbrown.comgloss r.htmlOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

2. Threaded vs. threadless -- are there advantages/disadvantages for each?

Not really, except in terms of choices of headset, quill or stem, etc. It really depends if your
head tube is threaded or not.

Quoted message said:

3. What are some considerations I should know about when shopping for headsets?

Hmmm, what kind of riding will you do?

Quoted message said:

4. What does the group think about ebay? I've seen lots of new 'no-name' forks for cheap. (get
what you pay for?) Is there much risk in buying a --carefully selected-- used fork?

I've put together some dirt cheap bikes using eBay. My only concerns about "no-name" parts would
include things like the possibility they're quality-control rejects. Does the seller know who
manufactured? Do the forks come with a warranty (unlikely, but possible)?

As for used forks, I'd ask the seller for pics taken at every possible angle to make sure there are
no noticeable defects. Then you're still taking the seller at his word.

One last note about using eBay. Yeah, you can save some money. You can also lose some (especially
since you're not quite sure what you need). Don't forget to add shipping in to the mix.

Quoted message said:

5. Are there any other factors that I should take into consideration?

Do you know if your head tube is 1" or 1.25"? Do you know how long your steerer tube needs to be to
fit? Are you capable yourself of cutting down a longer one to fit your tube?

Have you checked prices at your local bike shops? You may find that to be more to your advantage
since (1) you'll know exactly with whom you're dealing, (2) you're right there if you have a problem
with the parts, and (3) your local guys can look at your frame and tell you exactly which parts you
need. Since you're a newbie, I'd think the third point alone would more than cover any price
difference between a LBS and eBay.

Quoted message said:

I'm putting it onto a Trek 54 cm road bike, 700 cc wheels, and I'm looking at a price range around
$200 (including headset).

That can be done if you know what you need first. Good luck.

cyclist101 said:

tumbleweed said:

I just bought a frame and need to get a fork for it, (looking at carbon) and have a few questions
for the group before I buy.

1. What is 'rake', and how do know how much I need for my frame?

sheldonbrown.comgloss r.htmlOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

2. Threaded vs. threadless -- are there advantages/disadvantages for each?

Not really, except in terms of choices of headset, quill or stem, etc. It really depends if your
head tube is threaded or not.

He means the fork steerer tube .

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

3. What are some considerations I should know about when shopping for headsets?

Hmmm, what kind of riding will you do?

Quoted message said:

4. What does the group think about ebay? I've seen lots of new 'no-name' forks for cheap. (get
what you pay for?) Is there much risk in buying a --carefully selected-- used fork?

I've put together some dirt cheap bikes using eBay. My only concerns about "no-name" parts would
include things like the possibility they're quality-control rejects. Does the seller know who
manufactured? Do the forks come with a warranty (unlikely, but possible)?

As for used forks, I'd ask the seller for pics taken at every possible angle to make sure there are
no noticeable defects. Then you're still taking the seller at his word.

One last note about using eBay. Yeah, you can save some money. You can also lose some (especially
since you're not quite sure what you need). Don't forget to add shipping in to the mix.

Quoted message said:

5. Are there any other factors that I should take into consideration?

Do you know if your head tube is 1" or 1.25"? Do you know how long your steerer tube needs to be to
fit? Are you capable yourself of cutting down a longer one to fit your tube?

Have you checked prices at your local bike shops? You may find that to be more to your advantage
since (1) you'll know exactly with whom you're dealing, (2) you're right there if you have a
problem with the parts, and (3) your local guys can look at your frame and tell you exactly which
parts you need. Since you're a newbie, I'd think the third point alone would more than cover any
price difference between a LBS and eBay.

Quoted message said:

I'm putting it onto a Trek 54 cm road bike, 700 cc wheels, and I'm looking at a price range
around $200 (including headset).

That can be done if you know what you need first. Good luck.

"cyclist101" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

tumbleweed said:

I just bought a frame and need to get a fork for it, (looking at carbon) and have a few
questions for the group before I buy.

1. What is 'rake', and how do know how much I need for my frame?

sheldonbrown.comgloss r.htmlOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

2. Threaded vs. threadless -- are there advantages/disadvantages for each?

Not really, except in terms of choices of headset, quill or stem, etc. It really depends if your
head tube is threaded or not.

'scuse me if I break in here. When's the last time you saw a "threaded head tube?" Threaded fork
maybe, but never a threaded head tube!

If you're going with a new carbon fork, chances are it'll have a threadless steerer tube. Plan
accordingly. Head on over to www.chucksbikes.com and check out the Reynolds Ouzo Comp for $110. (1
1/8" only)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

3. What are some considerations I should know about when shopping for headsets?

For a decent traditional headset, look at a Cane Creek C2. Sealed bearings, not too expensive. If
the frame's an integrated style, you're going to have to find the kind that fits your frame.

Quoted message said:

Hmmm, what kind of riding will you do?

Quoted message said:

4. What does the group think about ebay? I've seen lots of new 'no-name' forks for cheap. (get
what you pay for?) Is there much risk in buying a --carefully selected-- used fork?

I've put together some dirt cheap bikes using eBay. My only concerns about "no-name" parts would
include things like the possibility they're quality-control rejects. Does the seller know who
manufactured? Do the forks come with a warranty (unlikely, but possible)?

As for used forks, I'd ask the seller for pics taken at every possible angle to make sure there
are no noticeable defects. Then you're still taking the seller at his word.

One last note about using eBay. Yeah, you can save some money. You can also lose some (especially
since you're not quite sure what you need). Don't forget to add shipping in to the mix.

Quoted message said:

5. Are there any other factors that I should take into consideration?

Do you know if your head tube is 1" or 1.25"? Do you know how long your steerer tube needs to be
to fit? Are you capable yourself of cutting down a longer one to fit your tube?

Have you checked prices at your local bike shops? You may find that to be more to your advantage
since (1) you'll know exactly with whom you're dealing, (2) you're right there if you have a
problem with the parts, and (3) your local guys can look at your frame and tell you exactly which
parts you need. Since you're a newbie, I'd think the third point alone would more than cover any
price difference between a LBS and eBay.

Quoted message said:

I'm putting it onto a Trek 54 cm road bike, 700 cc wheels, and I'm looking at a price range
around $200 (including headset).

That can be done if you know what you need first. Good luck.

bobqzzi said:

Quoted message said:

Not really, except in terms of choices of headset, quill or stem, etc. It really depends if your
head tube is threaded or not.

He means the fork steerer tube .

Had too many irons in the fire when I typed that, SORRY. Too bad nobody caught the other mistake
(typo, I swear):

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Do you know if your head tube is 1" or 1.25"?

Should be 1" or 1.125" (I hate typing 1 1/8"😉.

<snip

I just got a Cane Creek C2 headset and Aprebic (?) carbon fork from iCycles (eBay auction). Fast
shipping and good price. The whole shebang was $80 before shipping.

I have been eBaying like crazy lately and have had no bad experiences. I bought a Dura Ace equipped
GIOS, sold the Dura Ace, bought a campy gruppo, bought the fork and headset, stems, seatpost, etc.
Its fun buying and selling stuff.

I love LBSes, I used to manage a shop. Its important to balance your eBaying with local
shop support.

"tumbleweed" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I just bought a frame and need to get a fork for it, (looking at carbon) and have a few questions
for the group before I buy.

1. What is 'rake', and how do know how much I need for my frame?

2. Threaded vs. threadless -- are there advantages/disadvantages for each?

3. What are some considerations I should know about when shopping for headsets?

4. What does the group think about ebay? I've seen lots of new 'no-name' forks for cheap. (get
what you pay for?) Is there much risk in buying a --carefully selected-- used fork?

5. Are there any other factors that I should take into consideration?

I'm putting it onto a Trek 54 cm road bike, 700 cc wheels, and I'm looking at a price range around
$200 (including headset).

TIA for your help!!

Paul