Another "steerer tube too short" story

[tbkih]

I suspect this is a recurring topic here. The steerer tube on my Manitou 99 Carbon SX forks is 15mm too short for the 40mm-stack stem I have. So I bought one of these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bbb-bhp-2021-stem-extender/

The thing is, the inner part of the tube is carbon-reinforced to about 50mm from its base and since I need just a little extension (3x5mm rings) the bhp-21 extender tube won't fit all the way down. What options do I have.

1. I could saw of the extra tubing on the bhp-21 at the exact same angle and still have about 80-90mm of the extender tube go into the steerer tube.

2. I could buy a threaded headset and use a retro stem.

3. I could buy headset spacers and use more of the rings that come with the bhp-21. But that would make my ride height too big.

4. What else? I prefer 1, but how safe to you think it is?

Thanks in advance!

 

[thomas]

i have just resolved a similar problem myself, but manage to change the whole steerer tube in the end just to gain 10mm.
But regarding your situation. firstly could you not buy a smaller stack headset and a small stack stem to enable you to use the forks as they are? If not you could shorten the extension and seems the angle only creates the wedge, as long as the through bolt has a high enough thread to cater fort it being shortened.I cant see there being a broblem.

The only thing is that i have never used one of these myself, and im not sure that i would be 100% comfortable with it. Because in effect it would be like using a quill stem without locking the forks to the frame

keep us updated on over coming this and some pics if you can

 

[We_are_Stevo]

It will come as no surprise to some ( ) that I have shortened the BBB extender on more than one occasion...

...the first time I used an angle grinder; I have since used a hacksaw. Believe me, the angle grinder is easier!

What you have to remember is you are restricted in how much you can shorten it by the length of the bolt...

...I forgot once and had to use a little 'jiggery pokery' to get it to work!

 

[tbkih]

Thanks We_are_Stevo for the tips, didnt think about the bolt length issue!
thomas regarding the aheadset, there isn't an (affordable) one with a much smaller stack height. the expander does cater for aheadsets and has a kind of double bolt that I hope ensures correct pressure, at least according to the manual which contains specific instructions for unthreaded aheadsets.

I will keep you posted!

 

[We_are_Stevo]

Granted there are those who see using a steerer-extender as a bodge but I have been using them for years without any safety/integrity issues...

...and when everything is in place there is no visual indication of its utilisation whatsoever

Over the years I've never had a quill stem come loose, let alone fail...

...no reason why the steerer extender should be any less reliable.

 

[oldave]

FWIW, +1 to that which We_are_ Stevo says.

 

[Gruff]

Have you seen these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crank-Brother ... 2577413395


they have a 21mm stack height .

I have one for my Kona project as the steerer i have is shorter than i'd like.

 

[MADJEZ]

Also been using a quill extender for a while. Despite having 16 stone + smacked down on the forks regularly never had a problem.

 

[We_are_Stevo]

Have you seen these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crank-Brother ... 2577413395


they have a 21mm stack height .

I have one for my Kona project as the steerer i have is shorter than i'd like.

I have one of these in green, but I haven't fitted it to the frame I bought it for yet because all the reviews I've read say they don't last very long because the bearings are so small...

 

[Gruff]

Have you seen these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crank-Brother ... 2577413395


they have a 21mm stack height .

I have one for my Kona project as the steerer i have is shorter than i'd like.

I have one of these in green, but I haven't fitted it to the frame I bought it for yet because all the reviews I've read say they don't last very long because the bearings are so small...

Can't be much worse than the WTB GreaseGuard one i had on the Mongoose, when i stripped to sell it i found the bearings rusty & the races pitted :x was only about a year old.