cold setting steel forks 96 to 100mm?

Anonymous
Anonymous Posts: 79,667
edited June 2007 in Workshop
I have a hack bike with 27" forks (27x1 1/14 tyre) and am considering fitting a 700cx28 dynamo hub wheel. The current forks are spaced for a 96mm axle. Can I stretch these out to the standard 100mm width? I have straightened these bent forks out okay in the past.
I am aware of shorter wheel diameter and think my brakes should cope with the 4mm drop in radius.

Comments

  • Diogenes
    Diogenes Posts: 1,628
    Cold working steel hardens it and can lead to stress concentrations and eventually failure. You may get away with it a first but I would suggest whipping it down to a frame builder who can apply a little heat and set the forks for you.

    D[:D]

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  • Tom753
    Tom753 Posts: 737
    I've cold set stays before and forks should be able to set in the same way. Don't just pull the ends apart, it's best if you support the top of the blade below the crown and try to bend it along the whole blade, and do one blade at a time so you can see how much you're bending it.

    Cold setting is what framebuilders do anyway after they have finished brazing a frame to make sure alignment is correct.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Thanks Tom753, will give it a go. My hack bike is not worth spending money with a framebuilder.

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