Is welding a fork ever a good idea?

Waninbds
Waninbds Posts: 3
edited July 2007 in MTB workshop & tech
Ok I have an outdated MTB with a 1" headtube and a fork which needs replacing, but my local bike shop only has forks which fit 1 1/8th" headtubes and over. I don't do down-hill riding or anything of the sort which would require a very stable frame/fork. So I'm wondering if its remotely possible to weld my 1" diameter steerer from my old fork to a newer fork with a larger diameter steerer.

I know its much easier to buy a new bicylce or go buy something suitable online, but I'm trying to avoid all of that.

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    nope. the welding process is likely to melt the crown.

    call round other LBS's one will have a suitable fork.
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  • ratty2k
    ratty2k Posts: 3,872
    Its possible but not recommended.
    You'd need to make a sleeve that fits inside the original steerer say 100mm long. Then fit that part way down the existing steerer, leaving some protruding, 50mm or so. Get that welded into position, put a new steerer tube onto the adaptor you've just welded, weld the new steerer on, and now check that everything is concentric- if its not you'll just knacker the bearings a lot quicker than normal.
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  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Mmm ratty, not really going to help with making a new fork 1" from 1 1/8th.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
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  • CitizenLee
    CitizenLee Posts: 2,227
    What type of brakes do you have?

    Kona do a cheap set of rigids with a 1" steerer, canti mounts only though.

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 5360028959

    Here's some Tange ones too (I dunno if they're any good though!)

    http://www.billys.co.uk/english/group.p ... a9mua9aq84

    and some more cheap and cheerful ones (again, these could be pants)

    http://www.cyclesurgery.com/ProductDeta ... 40d4cd3454

    I know you say you would prefer to avoid buying online but from what Ratty described it sounds like a whole lot of effort to swap steerer tubes.

    Alternatively, you could post a wanted ad in the classified section of this site. I'm sure there'll be people with old 1" forks in their shed in need of a good home.
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  • Waninbds
    Waninbds Posts: 3
    Thanks for the advice everyone.

    BTW the brakes are V type.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    also 1" steerered Sus forks can be ordered from Marz, Magura and pace. but will most likely cost more than you want to spend.

    as i said get arround more shops and see what they have in the back.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
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  • MarvintheAndroid
    MarvintheAndroid Posts: 409
    Take a look on Ebay (threaded type)

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BANKRUPT-26-MTB-F ... dZViewItem

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