Aheadset compatability

stowei

Hi there. Changing jobs again so after 2 years with no cycling I can start to use a bike to commute again. I want to use an old MTB frame to make up an urban flyer, but I want to be able to change the fork-set up regularly (rigid for commute, suspension for weekend trails).

Question is what will be the easiest way to achieve interchangeability? The bike aready has a set of suspension forks fitted and obviously therefore has frame races in the frame (unbranded aheadset). If I buy a new aheadset for the new rigid forks will they slot into the existing frame races OK (ie are frame races universal for any given steerer diameter). Or do I have to buy two complete new aheadsets for both sets of forks and press in a new set of frame races?

(PS I know I can probably end up with a cheaper solution by simple buying a cheap flyer complete, but that's just not as much fun!)

Thanks

Ian

nicklouse

yes,no and maybe.

first both the fork and the frame are for the same sized steerer?

then just buy a headset fit the cups and the crown race that cam with it to the fork. sorted.

Or remove the crownrace from the MTB forks and fit to the "new" ones..

stowei

Thanks. Yes same same sized steerer tube. - I'm basically a competent mechnanic, Just never tried to run two sets of forks in one frame sharing bits of an aheadset before

But will buying one new aheadset and fitting the new cups (I imagine these are what I call frame races) do the job? Doing that would obviously allow me to install the new forks because I can fit the new crown race to the new fork. But that will still leave me with my question - will the old fork with the old crown race go into the new cups (using either the old bearings or the new bearings)? ie is there a universal standard for compatability between frame races, bearings and fork races (crown & adjustible), or is each design of aheadset so unique that it must be used complete (in which case my project is going to cost me two aheadsets)?

Is there anyone out there who does what I'm proposing to do? (ie swaps their forks regularly for different types of riding)? I had figured that with the rise of the hybrid there might be a few who do

Thanks

Ian

nicklouse

sorry missed the bit about the running alternating forks. get a duplicate crownrace for the second fork (as the same one for the headset you have ( or will have) fitted to the frame.

Or you could look at fitting a headset to the frame that uses cartridge bearings that has a split crown race, then it is very very easy to swap the race over.

here you can see an FSA headset where the silver crown race is split to allow easy fitting and removal.

Monty Dog

Crown races do vary, so ideally take your old forks and crown race to your LBS to make sure that they are the same / similar to the new headset - particularly if your headset uses cages balls or cartridge bearings - if they don't mate correctly, it can means you can get movement which can lead to alarming handling problems at speed