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Hi all. Right gonna try and explain quick. I'm no bike mechanic. I bought some Chinese carbon forks. Really pleased . Anyway I fitted to the carbon steerer a star nut. Didn't know until afterwards I shouldn't of. Anyways... My headtube is 34mm top and 44mm bottom. Carbon steerer is 1 1/8inch top and 1 1/2 bottom. I have three spacers and if I can get an integrated or zerostack headset it will put the steerer further up, plus remove spacers and use a small stack stem. Then cut steerer with star nut in and hopefully will be enough left to fit a expander bung. I don't want to remove the star nut as there may be damage already or maybe not I don't know. Have I explained this correct? Basically gain more steerer length and cut steerer with star nut in. And have new carbon to fit a expander plug with no damage. I have outer cup headset on the bike now. Can someone please help with which integrated headset I need and any advice would be welcome. I know removing spacers and a small stack stem a zero stack headset will change it a bit but not to worried over mm. Contacted hope and they said they only do outer cups for my headtube size. Think I explained ok let me know if you need more info. Thanks in advance Mark
integrated and zero stack are different things - integrated has bearings that sit directly in the frame, ZS has cups that sit inside the headtube so it's either one or the other.
can you identify it from these?
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/standardized-headset-identification-system
https://blue.canecreek.com/headset-fit-finder
http://www.hopetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/HOPEHEADSETS2011Web.pdf
EDIT: if it's currently got an external cup in the frame then I don't think you'll find a low stack headset to fit - that only leaves a 3mm gap for a bearing between the steerer and frame after all.
You cant fit a tapered fork in to a 44mm headtube with an integrated headset.
You have to use traditional cups. Are you just trying to do this to get the star nut out of the steerer without writing the fork off?
Thanks. ...looked on canecreek. I think press fit is what I have already and don't have the interface in the headtube for integrated.. Damn it. Options only then would be press fit cups? Am I right..?
My headtube is 34mm top 44mm bottom and yes Im trying to make more steerer height to chop off the carbon steerer with the star nut in. I.dont want to write the fork off. I've not ridden the bike since fitting the fork and star nut into the carbon steerer. Would I have damaged it already, that's my worry.
I'd be look at trying to extract the star nut with minimal further damage but not sure of the best way to do it. Maybe sawing through the steerer and the middle of the star nut if that leaves enough steerer left over - or trying to dremel / drill out the centre of the nut?
how far down did you press the star nut in? (I won't ask why 🙂 )
Thanks joemmo. That's exactly it. Not sure how to go about it either. Hopefully I've not done to much damage. Not sure which way.
Star nut in steerer is Between 5-10 mm, my steerer is 2mm short of the stem top. I have 3 spacers at 5mm
Tricky. whatever you do, don't try and pull it out - that will expand the stars and put outward force on the inside of the tube. Bike shop might be the best idea for this but they might not want the risk.
if you remove all the spacers and flip the stem (if its angled down) or fit a higher rise stem, where does that leave things?
Cheers joemmo. My next reply was gonna be should I take it to lbs
yes, I'd say so. Good luck
Stem will still be the same height ( on the clamp side) I can remove spacers ( I have Done) but still need more than the 15 mm that will give me. If that makes sense
You can drill the centre of the star nut out, just watch for heat. Then the stars usually come out pretty easily. Bearing in mind you really need the steerer proud of the stem top by 2-3mm you're not realistically going to get the affected area clear of the steerer.
If you could get the affected area no lower than the middle of the stem so you habe the bottom bolt on good carbon and have the bung sitting where the steerer clamps to help withstand forces youd probably be ok, but id be buying a new one personally. A cheap chinese fork is a lot less than a visit to the dentist - ive seen a steerer snap....