Grrr, can't seem to fit my Lefty fork to my Raven, advice?

[Mr Footlong]

Hi Chaps

I meant to post this up ages ago but have had too much going on to get around to it. My current Purpleen Raven project is in a state of limbo at present. Not going retro on her. While the frame is retro, the rest is new wherever possible and as much carbon as possible!

Basically I got my lovely Lefty Carbon 110SL fork for her and it came with the steerer tube. I bought brand new headshock headtube bearings, popped them in place then proceeded to fit the fork. Slight problem, I can't get the steerer tube even halfway in! It stick as it tried to pass through the first headtube bearing. The steerer is slightly tapered, with an additional slight increase in size just where it it tries to pass throguh the bearing. I have taken pics that should appear at the bottom giving you an idea of what I am on about.

Cannondale manuals are fairly non-existent at best but in a supplement manual I saw references to a plastic mallet being used. Before I go with the brute force and ignorance approach, who else has had experience with this? I don't want to knacker the bearings by smacking the steerer tube through unless everyone else does it this way and the bearings will be fine?

Thanks,

Nick

 

[amedias]

yup, thats basically how they work, the bearings are an interference fit on the steerer.

mallet for the win

 

[Dr.Robotnik]

yup, thats basically how they work, the bearings are an interference fit on the steerer.

mallet for the win

^ yep what he said.

 

[Mr Footlong]

Ok thanks for that. Just to confirm, smacking the steerer through past the bearings isn't going to damage them and you guys have experience with doing this?

Thanks

 

[Dr.Robotnik]

Ok thanks for that. Just to confirm, smacking the steerer through past the bearings isn't going to damage them and you guys have experience with doing this?

Thanks

Just check you have the right size bearings and yes that's how I've done it on removal and seen it done on fitting at the shop I worked at.

 

[Mr Footlong]

Ok, hmm there are different size bearings? These press in to the headtube perfectly at both the top and bottom. I ordered them off Ebay at the same time that I ordered the fork after looking around and seeing what appeared to be all Headshock bearings being the same size?

 

[Mr Footlong]

Well, big rubber mallet turned up today so after a liberal application of teflon lube, I set about smacking it in to place. Took a little while and made me grimace a bit but all done. Thanks chaps . Now I just have to figure out exactly what sheels I am going for and what colour anodized bolts to put on her and I am pretty well ready to build!

 

[Mr Footlong]

Help! I am ordering wheels today and can't decide exactly what colour combo to go with. I am ordering some Spinergy Xyclone wheels which come in various colours. I am torn between black with white spokes or just all black. With the Lefty writing in White, the Cannondale writing in white etc I think I can pull off the black & white non? Due to the fact that with that paintjob, I am not trying to hide away, I am swatying to the black/white but it would be an expensive mistake if I was wrong!

I think the red, blue, green combos etc will look awful.

Cheers,

Nick

 

[Chris]

Personally I'd go for the all black with white writing

But it's your call. Good wheels by the way, had a set for years. Very light and strong.

Chris.

 

[Mr Footlong]

Noooooo, I was hoping for the black/white to be voted! I do get the feeling that the white spokes might, just might be a bit much but I am thinking that if I am spending that much on wheels that they should stand out as much as poss, just as long as they don't actually clash with the rest of the bike .

Sadly I just can't tell without having both sets of wheels in front of me to try .