davidlemon
friend
Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 37
Loc: sacramento, ca
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true or false?
the cap on a chris king headset CANNOT be used with a carbon fork (e.g., the alpha q on my dragonfly).
here's the scoop: my LBS just built my new dragonfly. however, they used a "reynolds ouzo" cap instead of the "king" cap i provided them. when i asked why there was some random cap used instead of the "king," i was told by the mechanic that chris king headsets will only comply/function/operate appropriately with aluminum forks, and not with the alpha q on my calfee. it looks absolutely ridiculous, but before i go somewhere else to get the original "king" headset cap installed, i'd like to know if there is in fact any safety or compatibility issues.
any thoughts?
thanks to all in advance.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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I suspect that your King headset came with a star nut. If so, the star nut *should not* be used on a carbon steer tube. A star nut *can* be used if an aluminum insert is glued inside the steer tube and the appropriate sized star nut is used. The King top cap is held on the steer tube by a bolt through to the star nut.
The Reynolds top cap screws onto an expandable plug that is inserted into the steer tube. The King top cap is not usable if an expandable plug is used.
If an insert is glued into your steer tube, you can do no further cutting of the tube. With the expandable plug, the plug is easily removed if needed and can be re-inserted again.
Ask your mechanic to show you why he did what he did. That may explain his reasoning much better than I can.
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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davidlemon
friend
Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 37
Loc: sacramento, ca
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Quote:
Dave_Thompson wrote:
I suspect that your King headset came with a star nut...
...If an insert is glued into your steer tube, you can do no further cutting of the tube. With the expandable plug, the plug is easily removed if needed and can be re-inserted again.
yes. the "king" headset came with star nuts.
so, to be clear: if i have no desire to further cut my fork, i can have this insert you speak of glued into the steer tube, and then will be able to use the original "king" top cap? sounds like there's a solution, then.
ps- thanks SO VERY much for your input. i'm grateful.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Quote:
davidlemon wrote:
Quote:
Dave_Thompson wrote:
I suspect that your King headset came with a star nut...
...If an insert is glued into your steer tube, you can do no further cutting of the tube. With the expandable plug, the plug is easily removed if needed and can be re-inserted again.
yes. the "king" headset came with star nuts.
so, to be clear: if i have no desire to further cut my fork, i can have this insert you speak of glued into the steer tube, and then will be able to use the original "king" top cap? sounds like there's a solution, then.
ps- thanks SO VERY much for your input. i'm grateful.
Ask your mechanic if your Alpha-Q fork came with an insert and star nut. If so, see if the Alpha-Q star nut and King top cap are compatible.
I think your mechanic was really trying to do you a favor by using the Reynolds top cap and insert. Is your steerer cut exactly where you want it? Are you sure? Often on a new bike the steerer is left a little long so the owner can fiddle the stem position to perfection, then the steerer is cut to the final length. If this may be your case, leave the Reynolds stuff on until you reach the point of the final stem position, then you can have the steer tube cut, the insert glued in and use your King top cap.
--------------------
Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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davidlemon
friend
Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 37
Loc: sacramento, ca
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Quote:
Dave_Thompson wrote:
Ask your mechanic if your Alpha-Q fork came with an insert and star nut. If so, see if the Alpha-Q star nut and King top cap are compatible.
I think your mechanic was really trying to do you a favor by using the Reynolds top cap and insert. Is your steerer cut exactly where you want it? Are you sure? Often on a new bike the steerer is left a little long so the owner can fiddle the stem position to perfection, then the steerer is cut to the final length. If this may be your case, leave the Reynolds stuff on until you reach the point of the final stem position, then you can have the steer tube cut, the insert glued in and use your King top cap.
my fork didn't come with an insert. i personally opened the box containing my new frame and fork shipped directly from calfee. so, calfee design must not have included the alpha q insert. think i should call calfee and ask for the proper alpha q insert?
re: my mechanic, i agree with you. now that you've explained it, it's obvious he was indeed doing me a favor. but he didn't really explain it as clearly as you, and now i understand why he put the reynolds top cap on. so, no, my steerer is certainly not cut exactly where i want it... there's about 2mm of steerer exposed above the stem. i'll follow your advice: ride the new set up, get a proper fitting, and then have the steerer cut, insert glued in, and proper top cap put on.
many thanks dave!
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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|
Quote:
davidlemon wrote:
Quote:
Dave_Thompson wrote:
Ask your mechanic if your Alpha-Q fork came with an insert and star nut. If so, see if the Alpha-Q star nut and King top cap are compatible.
I think your mechanic was really trying to do you a favor by using the Reynolds top cap and insert. Is your steerer cut exactly where you want it? Are you sure? Often on a new bike the steerer is left a little long so the owner can fiddle the stem position to perfection, then the steerer is cut to the final length. If this may be your case, leave the Reynolds stuff on until you reach the point of the final stem position, then you can have the steer tube cut, the insert glued in and use your King top cap.
my fork didn't come with an insert. i personally opened the box containing my new frame and fork shipped directly from calfee. so, calfee design must not have included the alpha q insert. think i should call calfee and ask for the proper alpha q insert?
re: my mechanic, i agree with you. now that you've explained it, it's obvious he was indeed doing me a favor. but he didn't really explain it as clearly as you, and now i understand why he put the reynolds top cap on. so, no, my steerer is certainly not cut exactly where i want it... there's about 2mm of steerer exposed above the stem. i'll follow your advice: ride the new set up, get a proper fitting, and then have the steerer cut, insert glued in, and proper top cap put on.
many thanks dave!
It's my understanding that Apha-Q forks come with these inserts ( http://www.truetemper.com/performance_tubing/technical.asp )
I would suggest that you let your dealer (if that's whom you bought your Calfee from) get the fork insert from Calfee.
--------------------
Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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davidlemon
friend
Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 37
Loc: sacramento, ca
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Quote:
Dave_Thompson wrote:The King top cap is not usable if an expandable plug is used.
dave, by "expandable plug," do you mean a "compression plug"? thanks!
here's what alpha q says:
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"You must use the Insert Kit supplied with all carbon forks to comply with the warranty. A compression plug provides an anchor for the head set tension bolt. The insert does this and more. It also reinforces the steerer at the clamp area to support the clamping force of the stem better than any carbon tube with only a compression plug. Thirdly, the insert stiffens the top portion of the steerer for a more solid feel in the stem and handlebars where torque is generated. The insert provides the most solid connection possible and is well worth the time to install it."
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interesting. i'm assuming, then, that my "insert kit" was not installed, thereby voiding my warranty, among other things. of course, i can comfirm all of this tomorrow with my mechanic.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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I don't think you'll have any warranty problems with your fork while your using it without the insert. I'm a big guy and use the Reynolds compression plugs (expandable insert) on my Serotta and Spectrum. Unless you're a climbing/sprinting clydesdale, you won't have a problem.
--------------------
Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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