F-forksake! Advice needed please?

[sirromj]

What Akali said, if you weren't getting new forks. As you're getting new forks, you might as well get a new headset. And if you're going to DIY, then you need a cup remover (or a bit of old pipe or something and mallet), a crown race remover (or screw driver and mallet), and cup puller (or mallet) - (warning: the alternatives (in brackets) may damage components).

Re sawing the steerer tube, it's not really all that scary. If you're happy with your current setup, just saw the steerer to the same length. If you're really not confident of your sawing, there are guides available to maintain a straight cut, but they're not necessary provided you can cut within I'd say half a centimetre tolerance. Hacksaw and file is all that's needed there.

But if you don't want to get the tools I mentioned for dealing with a complete headset replacement, you might as well get your LBS to do it.

[jonboy1066]

All you need to do is swap on of the spacers from under the stem to on top of it..no need to cut anything but it would be worth while doing as it's only a five min job

Right... So...

I went for a ride as it was so I could feel the difference between the ol' SR Suntours and the new Rockshox... And it was goooooood. I can see what you're all getting at about wheelie-ing, I've suddenly got a really light front end that pops up just when I don't need it to on climbs.

Now I'm back and have cleaned it up I've moved the spacers like this;



Is that what you were getting at?

Looks incredibly stoopid, but I s'pose if I like the feel I can get the steerer cut down again.

[jonboy1066]

Mods...

I appear to have inadvertently thread-jacked the "What have you bought" thread... Sorry 'bout that.

Is it worth (if you can) moving my Forking Dramas and all the helpful advice to the F-Forksake thread in the pitstop‽

[Treehugger]

All you need to do is swap on of the spacers from under the stem to on top of it..no need to cut anything but it would be worth while doing as it's only a five min job

Right... So...

I went for a ride as it was so I could feel the difference between the ol' SR Suntours and the new Rockshox... And it was goooooood. I can see what you're all getting at about wheelie-ing, I've suddenly got a really light front end that pops up just when I don't need it to on climbs.

Now I'm back and have cleaned it up I've moved the spacers like this;



Is that what you were getting at?

Looks incredibly stoopid, but I s'pose if I like the feel I can get the steerer cut down again.

Yep that's what we meant. Try it out and experiment till you find a comfortable height. Stem length also makes a big difference to the handling, the shorter the better. The shorter the stem the quicker the steering. And not all stems are expensive, i got a few cheapie £5 jobbies just to find the right length then got a decent one.

[Deadpool2e]

Mods...

I appear to have inadvertently thread-jacked the "What have you bought" thread... Sorry 'bout that.

Is it worth (if you can) moving my Forking Dramas and all the helpful advice to the F-Forksake thread in the pitstop‽

DONE

[jonboy1066]

[jonboy1066]

Thanks all again for your input and advice, Since this thread started I've tried out my headset at differing heights with different spacer configurations and spoken to my LBD who have said they'd cut down the steerer tube for me for free as they haven't fitted the bike properly if I'm not happy...

Yesterday I tried it like this;



In the lowest advisable setting... But I just can't tell any difference...

So I have decided that I need to be a better, more skilful, more experienced rider before I need to worry so much about small setup changes and noticing them.

Soooooo I've decided that I'm gonna leave it with a small spacer above with the large & small spacer below and not get anything cut...being that the plan is to get my new bike in 4 months, then put my new forks on my sons bike;



And put his forks on my Trek for mostly road use so it doesn't seem worth the effort... For now.

[alkali]

Sounds like a good idea, and don't sorry about a whopping stack of spacers, I've not cut mine down yet, it's been 3 years :lol: