What steerer length do I need?

wildwildebeest
wildwildebeest Posts: 80
edited January 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
Is there an easy way to measure what sort of length steerer I would need on a set of forks? I'm guessing it depends on the forks a bit, but what do i need to measure myself? This is for a frame that has never been more than a frame, no idea what it is either.

Comments

  • Splasher
    Splasher Posts: 1,528
    You need to measure the head-tube of the frame, add the stack height of your headset, add the thickness of the spacers you intend to use and finally the stack height of your stem and then subtract 3mm to allow for stack squeeze up and bearing pre-load. The number you have left is your steerer length.
    "Internet Forums - an amazing world where outright falsehoods become cyber-facts with a few witty key taps and a carefully placed emoticon."
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    oh yeah I suppose it's as simple as that. For some reason I thought I'd have to measure the distance from headtube to axle somehow... I take it this distance will be the same for all forks (of equal travel)?
    Thanks for your help
  • Splasher
    Splasher Posts: 1,528
    Which distance do you mean? The distance from the axle to the crown race varies from fork to fork, even for those with the same travel. MArzocchis are notoriously long, Manitous (when people bought them) were usually very short. You will see this refered to variously as axle-crown length, fork length and ride height.

    The steerer length you need for your bike, is not affected by the model of fork, merely the things you want to pack around it - headset, frame, spacers and stem.
    "Internet Forums - an amazing world where outright falsehoods become cyber-facts with a few witty key taps and a carefully placed emoticon."
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    yeah sorry I'd moved on to another question..
    Didn't realise the crown-axle lengths were different, thanks for that.

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