Help - Non-integrated / external headset forks

[chris217]

excuse the daft question but i am after forks to fit a steel buid i am doing but need to be compatible with an external headset /

i am so used to internal headsets that i am having difficulty in finding suitable forks , most seem to have a chamfered / enlarged secion around the crown which i am concerned the crown race will not fit over.

any thoughts / help would be appreciated ?

i really need a 40mm rake or 43 absolute max if possible

 

[monty dog]

The only difference between the two is the flared fork crown which is typically matched to suit the oversize headtube of about 50mm, which incidentally is pretty well the same size as the lower HS cup external dia. The fitting for the crown race is the same whether it's 1.125" integrated or non-integrated. Getting hold of a carbon road fork without a flared crown is trickier these days because it's only an aesthetic feature. Many new bikes are also moving to larger lower bearings i.e. 1.25" or even 1.5". Hope this helps.

 

[hamster]

If it's an older steel bike it will also be a 1" headset - road forks for 1" are a pretty narrow selection (been there!)

 

[David B]

There are still a few 1-inch Ahead carbon forks out there; if money is no object you could always go for a Wound Up one from the States. Not cheap at all, but they do make almost any style to suit pretty much any headtube diameter, albeit possibly to special order. Pricey, but excellent quality and look cool too.

David

 

[dbmtb]

How long does the steerer need to be? And threaded or unthreaded?

 

[monty dog]

Perhaps we need to rewind a little - could you please clarify whether your frame needs a 1" or 1 1/8" fork?
Whether you need threaded or unthreaded (aheadset) depends on what style of stem you're looking to fit. Threaded forks, particularly for carbon, are pretty limited for 1.125" as the aheadset style become the adopted standard about the same time (10-ish years ago).
You can still get 1" carbon forks (Easton) and non-integrated 1.125" (Columbus) both for aheadset.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

As monty dog has said a bit more information would be helpfull.
What frame etc.
Is it a semi integrated you are talking about as fitted to modern Giants?
If so I have a pair of forks for sale at the mo.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... highlight=

Pics in the thread which might help you regardless.

 

[chris217]

Non integrated forks -

cheers guys , Monty - Ok the frame is this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0629260840

Voodoo Rada 853 and fork is 1 1/8 Ahead.

thanks for advice so far, i currently have some Kinesis attacks which have a 40mm rake but a small / enlarged area which is slightly bigger than the diameter of the rest of the steerer where the crown race would slide on, Will this still fit ??

 

[monty dog]

As said, the size of the fork crown (not steerer) has no impact on the fit or function of the fork. I was flicking through Chicken Cycles catalogue and they do a Columbus Minimal fork that's non-integrated

 

[chris217]

forks - steerer

thanks Monty, I meant will the crown race fit over the base of the steerer tube ?

cheers