My Easton carbon forks (pics added)

My Easton carbon forks (pics added)

Author
Discussion

snotrag

14,478 posts

212 months

Thursday 5th August 2010
quotequote all
Garlick said:
After ordering a variety of wedge bungs (is that the right term?) while my bike shop attempted to fit the Eastons for me (and waiting for every single one we used to be back-ordered) we realised that 2010 Giant headtube dimensions are non-standard and unique to Giant.

A month or so had passed by now, and my bike shop ended up calling Giant directly only to be told that the only carbon forks that would fit a Giant, were the ones made by Giant. The lads at the shop disputed this only to be told by Giant that 'we would never get the Eastons to fit' and that was that.

As my Eastons were a better spec that any Giant forks, the shop persevered and got down to do some minute measuring so a one-off part could be machined especially. They were so fired up by the project after being told it couldn't be done, that they paid for the machining just to see the forks on the bike. Anyway,
Paul - without meaning to come across as patronising, I'm interested to hear a little more about this.

I'm no longer 'in the trade' so I've no proffessional expereince of the 2010 range but I did sell/work on Giants (and others!) at a dealer for a number of years.

What you've said about the headtube makes absolutely no sense to me, particularly with regards to having things machined etc!?

Not taking anything away from you - glad your chuffed and a carbon convert - it IS amazing how compliant, yet lightweight carbon can be.

Now all we need to do is get your tried on a Reynolds 953 Mountainbike frame for the ultimate in 'wow this feels good!'.

Parsnip

3,122 posts

189 months

Thursday 5th August 2010
quotequote all
I must admit, I don't know what you mean - the fork steerer size is a standard, usually 1 1/8 OD for most modern stuff.

The only thing I can think you mean is the expander plug that does the job of a start nut - but this would either be a problem with the forks (and Easton should have given you an expander plug that would fit) or the expander plug, which was only designed to fit to the inner diameter of a specific fork andwas the wrong one. Even if that was the case, you can get generic ones that would fit without machining - I have a FSA expander plug in my Giant full carbon fork because I didn't particularly like the way the one Giant supplied went in.

Any chance of a photo of the machined part - am genuinely curious (and a bit of a saddo apparently)


Edit to add - black bartape and a white saddle? That is socks with sandles territory - get it fixed! other than that, very nice bike, have always liked Giants (hence me owning one) understated but cool and fantastic value for money.

Also, the road nazi within me questions the chain not being in the big ring :P

Edited by Parsnip on Thursday 5th August 15:31

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Thursday 5th August 2010
quotequote all
I'd need you to talk to my bike shop I'm afraid sir, as they know more about it than me.

All I know (in laymans terms) is that a specific part was needed to fit the forks, and all of the off the shelf solutions didn't fit the Giant (much to our surprise). In the end we had a part made to suit and I wasn't charged for it, or the fitting, due to the delay. I kept the bike throughout the process and didn't pay for anything until the job was done, so I don't suspect any foul play.

Funnily enough, I tried a few suppliers for my new seat post too, and again most didn't fit the Giants dimensions.

To be honest, I don't know much more than that but I was there when they called Giant to ask. I would be interested to know more though if you think something is amiss? Let me ask the guys at the shop for a better explanation over the weekend - I might be explaining it wrongly.

Very pleased with the end result though biggrin

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Thursday 5th August 2010
quotequote all
Parsnip said:
Also, the road nazi within me questions the chain not being in the big ring :P
You should see the hill to get into my living room hehe

P.S. bars are the next job.

snotrag

14,478 posts

212 months

Thursday 5th August 2010
quotequote all
Cheers - I wasnt particularly hinting at foul play anyway to be honest, just a genuine curiosity.

your bike will use a 1and 1/8th inch headtube.

Giant also use a nice neat internal headset - not the most common setup but certainly not rare.

I wonder if giant have changed to 'integrated' rather than 'internal' for 2010...

Be interested to hear what they say!

Parsnip

3,122 posts

189 months

Thursday 5th August 2010
quotequote all
Garlick said:
I would be interested to know more though if you think something is amiss? Let me ask the guys at the shop for a better explanation over the weekend - I might be explaining it wrongly.

It sounds a little strange to me, but not really something to be worrying about.

What I can't understand is that the outer diameter of all modern forks will be 1 1/8, so it will fit into the headset and your stem will clamp it - if it wasn't standard, you would need a specific size headset and stem for your fork. I don't know if there is a standard for the inner diameter of the forks, so this may be where the custom machining came in, but as I said, I have a generic FSA expander plug in my Giant carbon fork which due to its design has a range of diameters it will fit in. The Giant specific one will only fit into a certain sized hole and as I said, I don't know if it is standard.

Seatposts are a whole different kettle of fish, there are some standard sizes, but then there are specific ones (especially aero shaped ones) which will only fit on a certain bike.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Thursday 5th August 2010
quotequote all
I'll ask the question thumbup

markoc

1,084 posts

197 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
I'm no roadie, but those forks are lush. I'm after a set of cf Pace for my singlespeed MTB - it's all about the weave!

Looks like a quick bike with that shortened rear triangle.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

199 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
You propped a bike against a pure white sofa - you're either single, have a very understanding OH, or are in for a monumental arse kicking if she sees that picture.

Nice forks though.

itsnotarace

4,685 posts

210 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
markoc said:
I'm no roadie, but those forks are lush. I'm after a set of cf Pace for my singlespeed MTB - it's all about the weave!

Looks like a quick bike with that shortened rear triangle.
I have a pair of Pace RC31 Hollowform sitting here. 420mm A2C (I believe they are 80mm travel corrected). 190mm steerer, magnesium dropouts etc. Has both disc mount and I bought V Brake mounts which I can include if required. There are a few scuffs and marks on the dropouts but could probably be touched up with marker pen if you wanted, but I would price accordingly regardless

I used them for 6 months on the road on my P7 before switching back to my RC36's now I have a road bike.

markoc

1,084 posts

197 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Ooh, sounds good - my SS is a '96 P7. Could you send some pics to my email through the site - and a price of course wink

neilski

2,563 posts

236 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
rhinochopig said:
You propped a bike against a pure white sofa - you're either single, have a very understanding OH, or are in for a monumental arse kicking if she sees that picture.
No single man would own cushions, surely. biggrin

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
My Mrs was in the room when I took the picture, she is very understanding. In my defence I had cleaned the bike beforehand....well, I had given it a wipe down with some kitchen roll anyway.

itsnotarace

4,685 posts

210 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
markoc said:
Ooh, sounds good - my SS is a '96 P7. Could you send some pics to my email through the site - and a price of course wink
Will do this afternoon smile

Hughesie

12,573 posts

283 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Garlick said:
I had given it a wipe down with some kitchen roll the curtains anyway.
EFA, Now you're a real man hehe

okgo

38,119 posts

199 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
how much have you thrown at that thing now?

Could have had something awesome for that money off the shelf hehe

In all seriousness, I do like the look of those.

I've just bought EC90 post and bars, my bike already had a carbon fork so I'll leave that for now. I'd like the EC90 cranks too!

Stuart

11,635 posts

252 months

Thursday 12th August 2010
quotequote all
Garlick said:
P.S. bars are the next job.
Nooo! Don't spend more money on anything on that bike apart from the frame. Really, it will make not a jot of difference to the way it feels or handles.

Nice forks, but you could've had an entry level carbon frame for the money you've spent so far!

jez-m

135 posts

226 months

Friday 13th August 2010
quotequote all
Garlick - you mentioned you have an iPhone holder. Any more details? I've been looking for one but with not much success (OK, I've not been looking that hard...). Cheers.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Friday 13th August 2010
quotequote all
Stuart said:
Garlick said:
P.S. bars are the next job.
Nooo! Don't spend more money on anything on that bike apart from the frame. Really, it will make not a jot of difference to the way it feels or handles.

Nice forks, but you could've had an entry level carbon frame for the money you've spent so far!
It will only be matching tape, I just need to decide on blue or white. To be honest, I'm going to keep this bike for a year or two now. Thoughts of new bikes have been erased from my mind. Honest.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Friday 13th August 2010
quotequote all
jez-m said:
Garlick - you mentioned you have an iPhone holder. Any more details? I've been looking for one but with not much success (OK, I've not been looking that hard...). Cheers.
Hi jez, have a look at this thread. It has some links and I posted a picture of mine fitted.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...