A technical question...

[epicyclo]

I missed out on the early mtbs because I was still using a dropbar racer on tubulars for my offroad riding. Hence there's a large gap in my knowledge on early mtbs.

I'm looking for a front fork with lugs rather than a unicrown for a build I want to do, and I don't know what makes to be looking for.

Velo kindly donated one. Unfortunately it's very deranged and as I want to ride the bike as normal I'm not confident it will be safe once the appropriate amount of violence to un-derange it is applied.

The fork I need is for a 1" steerer, but would it widen my choices if I used a 1⅛" fork. I know they supposedly don't fit, but I have a vague memory of someone making a conversion headset for that very purpose (it may have been tandem related and a close run thing).

So an outpouring of knowledge of which brands used 1" and 1⅛" lugged forks would be appreciated so I can make the appropriate eBay searches - and it has to be something cheap, not a sought after classic, because this is intended to be a budget bike.

Of course, if anyone has such a fork spare....

 

[old_coyote_pedaller]

Re:

Can't help with the suggestions as to what lugged forks to look for but with it being a budget build I'd have thought that this conversion headset from 1" to 1⅛" wouldn't exactly be cheap. If it exists. :roll: And if it exists I'd like to see how they do it, getting a 1⅛" steerer and headset cups into head-tube designed for a 1" steerer. It would sort of need to look like one of the external bearing BBs.

I have a memory that plays tricks on me too. :mrgreen:

Had a wee rummage in 'tinternet,
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... -standards
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... ion-system

It's only made me more confused, but as the difference between 1" and 1⅛" is around 3.2mm the internal diameter of head-tube with a cup installed would be a bawhair (technical term) different in size to outside diameter of 1⅛" steerer.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Re:

I have read of it being done, I think Sheldon or somewhere. I would love to see a conclusive answer with a link to a write up. Would certainly add some flexibility.

 

[epicyclo]

I think the bearing cups would have to fit over the exterior of the steering head. There's room inside the head for a 1⅛" but I can't see much room for a set of cups then.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Here is a thread that will give you some pointers.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=236698

I think there was another thread with lots of Reynolds crown forks but I can't find it right now.
But basically all the usual British suspects were building crowned forks in the late 80's. They would mostly be 1" threaded though.
I have a Dawes Ranger with a crowned fork I could let go of, but you would have to take the whole thing. I couldn't just let go of the fork. Due to damage on the frame though it would be cheap, especially if you could collect. PM me if you are interested.

 

[epicyclo]

Here is a thread that will give you some pointers.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=236698

I think there was another thread with lots of Reynolds crown forks but I can't find it right now.
But basically all the usual British suspects were building crowned forks in the late 80's. They would mostly be 1" threaded though.
I have a Dawes Ranger with a crowned fork I could let go of, but you would have to take the whole thing. I couldn't just let go of the fork. Due to damage on the frame though it would be cheap, especially if you could collect. PM me if you are interested.

Thanks.

It's 1" I'd prefer anyway, so that's a few good clues.

 

[legrandefromage]

If you do go for the dawes just be aware that the fork rake may not be quite right for the frame you are using. The Ranger was very slack with the later Cougar and Wildcat not quite right either.

In general, anything with a Reynolds badge or a cromo decal, Tange etc should be ok. Just check for feet/ wheel distance / interaction when turning. You don't want your feet to hit the tyres

 

[epicyclo]

Of course, now that I've been looking at old UK 531 frames, I now want a proper frame. With lugs and 531 double butted...

Does N+1 never end?

 

[RobMac]

Re:

Brian what size of MTB frame do you ride?

 

[epicyclo]

Medium