Fitting new forks - DIY, or best to get a bike shop to fit?

daniel_b · January 2008

Chaps,

just got my Rockshox Reba 2008 SL forks, and the steerer tube I think will be rather too long for my bike, even with spacers under the bars - like it has now.

Potential issue is that the 'star bolt' is already in place, and right near the top of the tube, ie the bit where you screw into to secure it.

Alegedly you can push it down the tube, but am wondering how sensible it is to cut one of these at home, and if it would make more sense to get my local bike shop to do?

Quick job for someone who knows what they are doing and with all the right tools?

I'm just worried about ending up with £200 worth of scrap metal :?

Cheers

Dan

nicklouse · January 2008

have you read the How toos on PARK Tools? Do you have the tools needed? can you afford to replace the fork if you get it wrong?

Anonymous · January 2008

measure twice, cut once. In fact, measure thrice.

nicklouse · January 2008

M.Cole wrote:

measure twice, cut once. In fact, measure thrice.

Measure thrice, mark Twice, cut once.

daniel_b · January 2008

nicklouse wrote:

have you read the How toos on PARK Tools? Do you have the tools needed? can you afford to replace the fork if you get it wrong?

I will look up the details now, I keep forgetting to check there :roll:

I can aford to replace it if I get it wrong, but would not rather throw money away!

Going to PT now.

Dan

clarkson · January 2008

just bought that fork myself!! and fitted myself. cutting is no problem, so long as you know what you're doing, which i didnt so got my dad to help

but had to have a travel spacer put in anyway and have the disc mounts faced, so ended up going ot the shop anyway. but its possible!

daniel_b · February 2008

clarkson wrote:

and have the disc mounts faced, so ended up going ot the shop anyway. but its possible!

What's the facing bit about then?

We were halted in our tracks last night, by the fact that the Hayes sole brakes I have are post mount, whereas the Reba's are IS.

I've ordered this though, which I hope is the right part (QR version)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3883

Won't be able to get out on them this weekend now though :?

Dan

nicklouse · February 2008

ok they are going on the Marin? and you are replacing the Manipou.

if your front disc is 160mm then you will be OK.

One final tip whem you cut the sterer have a 25mm spacer on the top to allow you to play with the stem height to get it as you want. You can always cut it down later when you are happy.

daniel_b · February 2008

Yes the Manitou's are what are being replaced.

Sounds like that should be the right part then, the rotors are V6 ones http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=8280 which are listed as 6", and the adpatpr is listed as being for the 6" discs, so fingers crossed!

I already have a few spacers up there, as it came from the shop, so will play around with spacers ontop of the stem, and when I'm happy I'll cut it down again.

Thanks for your help

Dan

allthegearnoidea · February 2008

dan make sure you cut it so that when they dont fit you can sell them to me really cheap!!;)
i bodged mine up when i cut it and cut it a bit shoirt really (comes about 2/3 the way up the stem) all because i was desperate to fit them!! if i had taken my time they would have been fine but you know how it is!! must fit! must fit!
same with everything on the car, take your time and double check everything!

daniel_b · February 2008

Thanks Timmo!

So what happened with your 2/3rds height steerer tube, are you using it, or was it resigned to being scrap metal?

Dan

allthegearnoidea · February 2008

no i am using it at the mo! its quite tight and i had to file down the headset cover (integrated) so that i could get enough tube up for the clamp to work!
not had any problems so far! (touch wood!!)
(couldnt afford to buy new forks to replace them!!)

would be great if the comapnies offered replacement tubes for forks, wouldnt be all the difficult to do as you could have a groove in the crown race (i think thats hte bit??) foir the tube to slot into, that way you wouldnt have to worry so much if yo ugot it a little wrong!!!

Drfabulous0 · February 2008

Windwave offer a steerer replacement service for Marzocchi forks, I used it once when changing frames.
Follow the measure twice rule and cut it longer than you need to start with and add spacers, you can always cut it again but gluing bits back on really isn't an option. I'd be more concerned about setting the star nut at a dodgy angle as you bash it down or damaging the crown race if you don't have the correct tools to move it from one fork to another.
How much does your LBS charge for doing this, I always fit forks for free if you buy them from us.

Fitting new forks - DIY, or best to get a bike shop to fit?

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