I have a Kestrel Talon that doesn’t have an integrated headset. Can I upgrade to a more aero fork that is integrated (most of the forks I’ve been looking at are integrated)? Are there any issues in doing this?
Yes. Maybe.
I assume that you have an external, pressed in HS like this one… the silver “king” part being the HS.
and not an integrated HS like this one… where the HS is dropped into the frame without a press…notice you cant see the HS
If this is the case, the “integrated” fork can be put in, but you’ll still have a pressed in HS. it wont be “integrated”. I guess you’ll still have a more aero fork on there…
bottom line, if your bike has a press in HS, thats the way it’s going to stay.
Only issue is that you'll have to buy a fork and headset. (If you happen to have a king headset, you can buy just the bits to change it from threaded type to threadless)
I didn’t even think about it being a threaded fork. did the talon ever come with a threaded HS?
Can you post a pic OP?
It is not a threaded fork. The headset is like the King headset that is pressed into the frame vs. the “integrated” headsets that drop inside the headtube. Some of the forks that I have been looking at say they are for the integrated type which I assume just means they are “flatter” at the crown to fit snug with the headtube. My questions is whether or not these types of forks work with the headsets like the King that are pressed in and if they cause any issues.
Thanks for the info.
As long as the race from the HS that is on the bike fits on the fork, it’ll be just fine. It may look odd, but all you need is the race and HS cups/bearings to interface properly.
the race is a little metal loop that fits on the base of the fork that is designed to fit with the HS cups/bearings. You have to really careful taking these off so you don’t damage them. Same thing when putting it on a new fork. unless you know what you’re doing, have a LBS do it.
thanks.
as the good dr noted above, you shouldn’t have a problem.
the differences between the integrated and non-integrated comes down to the frame. the frame is either set up for integrated (so you get the seamless look), or it’s old-school (like your talon). integrated forks are made to complement the seamless look, but functionally are the same as a non-integrated. as stated, it may look a little funny on a non-integrated bike, but you shouldn’t have any issues with it working.
good luck,
I didn’t even think about it being a threaded fork. did the talon ever come with a threaded HS?
Can you post a pic OP?
doh, misunderstood the question, but I too was thinking the Talon was a new enough model that it probably has always been threadless.