Fitting new forks
Author
Discussion

PomBstard

Original Poster:

7,669 posts

265 months

Tuesday 11th August 2009
quotequote all
Just taken delivery of a nice spangly bit of bling - NukeProof Carbon Rigid Mtb Forks, kind of back to the old skool using new tech. Anyway, I didn't get a new star nut included, which seems a bit odd, but will obviously purchase one tomorrow to finish the job.

Any advice on getting this bit right? Really don't want to stuff this up. Its alloy steerer so cutting to length is easy enough, and the headset in place still seems tight - have regreased the bearings. Just need to get the nut right.

Cheers

Ynox

1,749 posts

202 months

Tuesday 11th August 2009
quotequote all
Two options:

1. Take it to a bike shop, they'll use a press to put the star nut in place.

2. Stem bolt into lock nut. Hold fork in vice. Hammer the crap out of it ensuring it's going in straight until it's about an inch or so into the steerer.

I opted for option 2, it's not difficult to do - the hardest bit was getting it in straight initially, after that a couple of taps and it's done.

longblackcoat

5,047 posts

206 months

Tuesday 11th August 2009
quotequote all
PomBstard said:
Just taken delivery of a nice spangly bit of bling - NukeProof Carbon Rigid Mtb Forks, kind of back to the old skool using new tech. Anyway, I didn't get a new star nut included, which seems a bit odd, but will obviously purchase one tomorrow to finish the job.

Any advice on getting this bit right? Really don't want to stuff this up. Its alloy steerer so cutting to length is easy enough, and the headset in place still seems tight - have regreased the bearings. Just need to get the nut right.

Cheers
Just get your LBS to fit the SFN; it takes them about no time, as they have the right tools. I'm seemingly unable to get the damn thing straight when I've tried it...

Mr_C

2,497 posts

252 months

Tuesday 11th August 2009
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Anyone who's ever tried it has ended up having to buy another one to replace the one tnhey just ruined...

P-Jay

11,256 posts

214 months

Tuesday 11th August 2009
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Hope head doctor FTW

Parsnip

3,208 posts

211 months

Tuesday 11th August 2009
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If you mean full carbon (i.e the steerer too) then don't use a star nut.

Either way, star nuts are crap, expansion plugs or something like a hed doctor is the way to go.

pedantlewis

288 posts

220 months

Tuesday 11th August 2009
quotequote all
Get a spare headset top cap, thread the bolt through the SFN a little way with the top cap still in place. Tap the SFN into the steerer until the cap rests on the top of the steerer. Assuming the steerer has been cut square the SFN will be nice and straight, hooray!

Or pay your LBS a fiver……

PomBstard

Original Poster:

7,669 posts

265 months

Wednesday 12th August 2009
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pedantlewis said:
Or pay your LBS a fiver……
I think that's what it'll be - I have the capacity to feck it up, so will try not to!

johnnyboy666

98 posts

201 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
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Just get yourself a Hope head doctor, reusable and much easier and nicer to fit. They don't cost that much really. Head locks are brilliant too, I had to swap mine for a head doctor because my Pikes had some sort of stopper at the bottom.

If you must use a SFN it's a doddle to hammer one in, just be slow and steady with it. I find a socket extension and hammer as the tools of choice.

PomBstard

Original Poster:

7,669 posts

265 months

Sunday 16th August 2009
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Used LBS - just popped into the workshop mid Sunday afternoon and they did it there and then - total cost of nut and fitting was equivalent to GBP7 so I think I can stand that.

And they are very subtle and lovely - will clean the bike and post a piccie soon - white Giant XTC with black carbon forks - it seems to work quite well biggrin