[w0318]

hey i am looking to buy a used fork and i want to know what length cut do i need?

my frame headtube is 5 inc long and an avg stem is 2inches.

would a 7.5 inch cut steerer tube be enough? i dont know if the headset takes up any of the real estate?

can someone please let me know so i dont end up buying a for that is too short?

 

[Bikinfoolferlife]

Yes, your headset takes up space (called stack height). Get your steerer tube to be at least the head tube plus headset plus stem, and I'd advise a little extra to give you some fudge factor so you can have some spacers to adjust stem height (and to make that fork more useful on a frame with a different head tube). You can always cut a steerer tube easily enough...

 

[w0318]

thanks for the info, just i am about to buy a used fork thats already cut. the seller says around 7.5 inch.. thats why i am posting to see if its doable.

he is selling it cheap

 

[mtnbiker4life]

hey i am looking to buy a used fork and i want to know what length cut do i need?

my frame headtube is 5 inc long and an avg stem is 2inches.

would a 7.5 inch cut steerer tube be enough? i dont know if the headset takes up any of the real estate?

can someone please let me know so i dont end up buying a for that is too short?

First swag I'd say that's cutting it close but that really depends on stem, headset, and spacers need to achieve your desired riding position. The best thing would be to measure your current setup.....

 

[moozico]

Hi, it also depends on your body. If you have long legs, then your steer tube can be shorter, but if you have short legs/long torso, then you might want a longer steer tube to raise the handle bars. Mine is about 7.5 and I can't get the handlebars high enough because my legs are short. So now I have to buy new forks too.

It also depends on your riding style. If you just ride uphill all the time, then the short stem will be ok, but going downhill it can be annoying. Good luck!

 

[w0318]

hmm i see what you all are saying.

i have a norco rampage frame which measures a tad under 5 in on the head tube.
and my headset Cane Creek Solos is should be delivered today.

i was using my old bikes stem which is a Nuke Proof and it measured 2inch.

is the avg stem about 2 inch in height?

i have no idea how much stack height the cane creek solo adds.

hope someone has some experience with my following parts to guide me with their assessment of this.

thanks!

I consider myself with avg, my current ride is an older 17"specialized rockhopper A1 comp with the nuke proof stem. sometimes it can feel like the bars are too far ahead (not sure if its cause thats when i get a little tired)

 

[Whitedog]

The cane creek solo has a large stack height (38.8mm).
http://www.canecreek.com/solos-headset.html

Most headsets are more in the range of 27mm. What made you purchase the Solo vs. for example the S3 which has stack of 27mm (and is also lighter)?
http://www.canecreek.com/s-3-headset.html

Norco's website has a headtube length of 125mm on a Medium Rampage frame, so since 5" is 127mm, we'll assume you have a 125mm headtube as you said it was just under 5". You mention 2" stem, which is 50mm.

7.5" steerer is 190.5mm.
38.8mm stackup+125mm headset +50mm stem = 213.8mm or 8.4" so that fork is about 0.9" too short.

I have seen stems that are 35mm or 40mm tall. Going with a headset that is 27mm stackup+125mm+35mm = 187mm or 7.36" which would work with the 7.5" fork you are thinking about.

So you need to find a shorter stackup headset and a 35 to 40mm tall stem to make this work.

 

[w0318]

ooh thanks for the expert math. its pretty clear.

I chose it because it had some top reviews and greenfish had a sale 67 shipped. Plus it came in a GOLD !!!

hmm i am really thankful for this knowledge and advice from you.

dammit so what now? ? lol dilemma dilemma

 

[Whitedog]

Here's a 35mm stack height stem 110mm long, 6 degree, oversize bar for $29.95:
http://cgi.ebay.com/FSA-OS-140-AH-A...ryZ22694QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's a Cane Creek S3 headset for $38.95:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Cane-Creek-S3-T...VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

The above are just examples. Don't know what your current stem is as far as length and angle and bar size, but your local bike shops should have stems to choose from and some might be in the 35 to 40mm stack height range. They'll also have headsets, get one with a 27mm or lower stack height.

So save your $, buy new stem & headset, and use your new fork.

 

[w0318]

Whitedog,

sorry for the late response, but i just finished moving its been time consuming.

the headset i bought, i will be using the short cap which puts the stack height of the headset at 29.5mm instead of the almost 39mm that you mentioned.

so it seems i might be off by a few mm, would me compensating with a low stack stem work?

something like this if i had to http://www.sixsixone.com/Catalog_SunlineCycling.aspx?id=f442f194-a894-4d8e-8cdb-4e3ddc42f8f3&product=2541b9fc-d4ab-48ab-8a34-79386b069ece

or are there any stems shorter than 30 mm?
Are there any 1inch stack height stems out there?

 

[Whitedog]

Good to know you got the shorter Solos headset at 29.5mm stack, all you need is a stem, but you don't have to go as short as that sixsixone one (which is for a boxxer fork and might not be good for your use).

FYI, when you put everything together, you want the stem to be about 3/32" to 1/8" higher than the top of the steerer so the top cap lip can fit without hitting the steerer. So taking that into account, for a 7-1/2" (190.5mm) steerer tube fork, you'd want a total stack height around 7-5/8" (193.7mm).

So you are now at 125mm headtube + 29.5mm stackheight headset = 154.5mm. Subtract that from 193.7mm and you get 39mm.

So you can get a stem with 40mm stack height and be OK (or that 35mm stack height stem I linked above + a 4mm or 5mm spacer).

So your existing Nuke Proof 2" stack height stem won't work, but the good news is since you got the 29.5mm headset, that fixes the problem so you can use a more readily obtainable 35-40mm height stem!

 

[w0318]

thanks for the positive feedback, i feel relieved! =)

yea the nuke proof wont be used at all. that was just a reference.

 

[w0318]

Hey all

i just got confirmation that the fork steerer tube is 7.25 inch>? 7.25 = 181mm

From your formulas whitedog, i would have to get a 35mm stem?

125mm (headtube) + 29.5mm (headset) 154.4mm if we subtract it from new 181mm that would be 27mm left ?

so i would need to get a 27mm stem?

 

[Whitedog]

7.25" = 184mm so you'll have 29.65mm left of steerer. As I mentioned before, to make room for the top cap, you want the stem to be a little higher than the steerer tube, so yes, a 35mm stem should work ok

 

[w0318]

thanks alot white, you are a wise person.

do you have any reccomendation for the 35mm stem?

so far it seems this is a decent one,

Sunline
http://www.sicklines.com/2007/11/08/2008-sunline-oversized-29-bar-and-stems/

V-One All Mountain 50mm 31.8mm Stem
The 31.8mm 50mm All Mountain stem was very light. It weighed in at a scant 147g. The finish looks nice on the stem as well and has a machined look to it. The stack height was very low at 35mm where most other stems like the Thomson come in at 40mm allowing you do get your bars just a little bit lower if desired.

 

[Whitedog]

The V-One is a nice stem, but they only come in shorter lengths: 50mm, 60mm and 80mm and they are a little expensive.

What length stem do you need? You mentioned above that on your Rockhopper with the Nuke Proof stem you thought the bars were too far forward. What is the length of the Nuke Proof stem? Also, just because a stem might feel too long on one frame doesn't mean it would feel too long on another frame, so you can't exactly assume for example if 100mm stem worked on one bike that it would work equally well on another frame.

The FSA OS-150 stem is 35mm stack height, have 6 degree rise, take 31.8mm bars and come in a few lengths and weigh 155 grams:
http://mtb.fullspeedahead.com/fly.aspx?taxid=143&layout=product

Here are some OS-150 stems off ebay:
90mm length:
http://cgi.ebay.com/FSA-OS150-Alloy...VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

100mm length:
http://cgi.ebay.com/FSA-OS150-Alloy...VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

110mm length:
http://cgi.ebay.com/FSA-OS150-Alloy...VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

Here's the Vone (they have all three lengths available):
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sunline-V1-All-...ryZ22694QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

So between the VOne and the FSA, you'd have 50, 60, 80, 90, 100, 110mm lengths covered, so the key question is what length do you need? 50 or 60mm would probably be too short, as that length is mainly for downhill bikes so you can get your weight back. If you think you need a shorter stem, then for just under $29, the 90mm FSA OS-150 would probably be the best place to start.

 

[w0318]

Thanks whitedog i really appreciate the advice and time you spent looking up the stuff,

my main concern is the stack height. I want to make the fork fit as i am getting a good deal locally.

i want a strong and good quality stem.
i think around 80-100 in length zone.

Does the face that they label it as "road" fork allow it to be used for some AM riding?

So far it seems i can still pick up the fork !! i am gonna be so pysched :crazy:

but this deal is really hard to pass up
http://www.blueskycycling.com/product2239_51_-FSA-170-OS-Stem.htm

 

[Whitedog]

If you look at the FSA website I had the link to, the OS-150 stem can be found in both the Road and Mtb section of their website, so no worries about using an FSA stem for any mountain bike activity.