12-20-2014, 11:09 PM
I'm installing a new RST fork on my Schwinn Sidewinder, and I ran into a few problems today.
Steerer tubes on these forks are interchangeable, meaning that the tube is sold seprately, and installed by the customer.I chose a 160mm threaded steerer tube, because I wanted to keep the existing headset. I installed the steerer tube today without any problem, but when I went to put the new fork on the bike, I noticed two things: first that the new steerer is longer than the old one, and secondly that the crown race from the old fork doesn't seem to fit. The tube is mounted all the way onto the crown of the new fork, but the base of the tube is not as wide as the old steerer, so the race is loose enough to slip up the tube easilly.
Further, when I went ahead and assembled everything anyway, I found that the headset remains loose enough to allow excessive play, even with the adjustable cup tightened all the way down. It appears as if the bottom of the threaded portion of the tube is below the level of the bearings, and that the adjustable cup was tightened down against the fixed cup, which stopped it from being tightened any further.
Can anyone here help me finish getting the new fork on my bike? I imagine I could get spacers to take up the extra length on the steerer, but is cutting it to the same length as the old tube also an option? Does it matter if the crown race isn't press fit onto the new fork, and if so how do I get it to fit properly, or get a new race the right size? Finally, why was there still play in the headset with the top cup tightened all the way down like that?
Steerer tubes on these forks are interchangeable, meaning that the tube is sold seprately, and installed by the customer.I chose a 160mm threaded steerer tube, because I wanted to keep the existing headset. I installed the steerer tube today without any problem, but when I went to put the new fork on the bike, I noticed two things: first that the new steerer is longer than the old one, and secondly that the crown race from the old fork doesn't seem to fit. The tube is mounted all the way onto the crown of the new fork, but the base of the tube is not as wide as the old steerer, so the race is loose enough to slip up the tube easilly.
Further, when I went ahead and assembled everything anyway, I found that the headset remains loose enough to allow excessive play, even with the adjustable cup tightened all the way down. It appears as if the bottom of the threaded portion of the tube is below the level of the bearings, and that the adjustable cup was tightened down against the fixed cup, which stopped it from being tightened any further.
Can anyone here help me finish getting the new fork on my bike? I imagine I could get spacers to take up the extra length on the steerer, but is cutting it to the same length as the old tube also an option? Does it matter if the crown race isn't press fit onto the new fork, and if so how do I get it to fit properly, or get a new race the right size? Finally, why was there still play in the headset with the top cup tightened all the way down like that?