For a threadless headset, I seem to recall reading that the star-fangled nut needs to be @ 15mm below the top of the steerer tube. Thing is, I’ve had bikes with it nearly flush, and anything inbetween (I think one bike I had was in the 20mm range).
Any opinions on this? I’ve lowered my position on my P2k from 30mm of risers down to 5mm above the headtube, and I would like to chop off some of the excess on my Wolf fork. Currently, my star nut is 15mm below the top, and I’ve got 20mm of spacer showing above the stem.
I’ve also heard of getting either the correct tool or like object to place on top and simply pound it down further (park tool website suggested that one). I contacted one LBS and got this long speech of “we’ll need to replace the entire headset and nut, and it will take 3-4 days…”, so I would rather avoid that route unless I can find another bike shop.
That star nut has NOTHING to do with the install of your head set and often comes with your fork. If a shop wants to replace your headset over that star nut…get a new shop If you have a star nut I will presume you have a metal steer tube…if it needs to go in further, push it in further…the bolts are long enough for 10, 15, 20, even 30mm of depth depending on if you have spacers on top your stem. Thinking more, get a new shop
So, to get it where it needs to be, either press it in further, or pay $0.20 for a new star nut. At a diffrent shop.
Yes, you presume correctly- it is a metal steerer tube.
So, as long as I apply the force evenly on the nut, it should move pretty easily down the tube to the depth I would like it? I do have an extra brand new nut, so if it would be better to get the old one out and put the new one in, I can do that as well.
If you know that they are going to cut the tube lower than that of the current star washer…I would cut it and install a new one. If they use the Park or Hozan tool the depth with be right…but the depth is not really all the important as long as you can catch threads to get good adjustment of the headset. It is not that big a deal, and the star washer is seriously $0.20 at the shop I go to almost every day.
If you do get a new headset, get a King (yes it is not cheap) but it wont come wiht the star washer, that comes with the fork.
Along similar line, has anyone cut off the top of their own (carbon) steerer tube, i have 3 spacers on top of my stem and it looks a bit dawkish, can i just attack it with a hacksaw?
I did this to a pair of broken (what was that bang? oh shit the bikes on the roof and this car park has a height barrier…) carbon tribars to make shorties, but am a little more cautious with undamaged all carbon forks!
For future reference, I found that a CO2 cartridge fits perfectly inside my steerer tube, and the round end is perfect for pushing the star nut down. Put a piece of wood on top of the cartridge, and tap it with a hammer. I had to do this when I cut my steerer down.
Ah, there are other FAR SAFER ways to tap a star nut down.
i am no bomb expert, but i would guess that using a COMPRESSED co2 cartridge as a tool in this application could become a very dangerous endeavor. do not do it.
Ah, there are other FAR SAFER ways to tap a star nut down.
i am no bomb expert, but i would guess that using a COMPRESSED co2 cartridge as a tool in this application could become a very dangerous endeavor. do not do it.
What would be the worst thing that could happen?
Thats because you are puncturing the end into a sealed inflater. if you use force to “pop” that cartridge into thin air…you’ve got a boom. Especially if the other end is up against the star nut inside a fork tube. There’s only one place for the quickly escaping air (boom) to go…and thats UP…right at you!!
Thats because you are puncturing the end into a sealed inflater. if you use force to “pop” that cartridge into thin air…you’ve got a boom. Especially if the other end is up against the star nut inside a fork tube. There’s only one place for the quickly escaping air (boom) to go…and thats UP…right at you!!
When I was a kid, we (well, my older brother) strapped a CO2 cartridge onto the top of a Hot Wheels car. IFRC, we used a hammer and nail to puncture the end and let 'er rip down the street. No boom. Never did find the wheels on that thing…
That’s a good idea- did you have a 1" or 1 1/8" steerer tube?
But, I think I will sacrifice one CO2 cartridge before I bang at it. Using a fresh cartridge creates visions of turning on the gas for a electric-ignition grill and not having a very good ignition…click…click…click…click…@!%#…click…BOOM!
That’s a good idea- did you have a 1" or 1 1/8" steerer tube?
But, I think I will sacrifice one CO2 cartridge before I bang at it. Using a fresh cartridge creates visions of turning on the gas for a electric-ignition grill and not having a very good ignition…click…click…click…click…@!%#…click…BOOM!
1 1/8" (I think; whatever a P2K comes with). As long as you leave the cover of the grill open when you ignite, there can’t be enough gas in there to do anything more than go “whoof” as it lights.
I’d have to say that was luck. I’d not take the chance that one of those cartridges had a small imperfection on the side wall and allowed a “boom” to occur in the direction you did not wish it to go. Kind of like holding a firecracker in your hand. No problem doing this 100 times in a row…then…ooppss…the guy loading the firecracker that day at the factory put in slightly too much powder…and you loose a finger or hand.
I was a cop for 22 years. I’ve seen all the times when this shit goes bad!
