QA

How To Install Star Nut

How far down should star nut go?

Star Nut Installation with TNS-1 The TNS places the nut about 15mm (9/16″) below the top of the steering column. This allows the adjusting bolt to thread fully into the nut for adjustment pre-load. It can also help maintain alignment to use the stem as an alignment guide.

How do you tap down a star nut?

I just unscrew the bolt from the topcap the amount you want the star nut pushed down. Then just use a hammer to tap the bolt down flat on the topcap. This will push the starnut down, and keep it straight while doing it.

Can you reuse a star nut?

Have you got a star nut for the top of the fork.? You can reuse the old one if the steerer tube is the same diameter all the way down which will allow you to knock the old one all the way through. To fit the star nut, screw in a bolt and tap the star nut down into the fork by a about CM.

Do you need a Starnut?

It isn’t mandatory to use a star nut and there are ways to adjust a stem/fork interface without one, but it isn’t typically a “beginner” skill.

Do forks come with star nut?

Typically forks do not come with a star nut. New headsets do, though. Your LBS should have a new star nut for you to shove in there.

What does a headset star nut do?

The star fangled nut — or ‘star nut’, as it’s known — is pressed into the steerer tube and allows the fork and headset components to be pulled into place in the frame’s head tube. If you have a new fork or have just cut down your steerer tube, you may need to fit a new star nut.

How does expander plug work?

The expander plug reinforces the area the stem clamps to and prevents damage to the layers of the carbon fiber (Fiber layers can also loosen over time especially with repeated tightening and loosening of the stem clamp).

How tight should Expander plug be?

In the early stages of adjustment, the plug needs just to be tight enough to prevent it from being pulled out of the steerer by the top-cap bolt. So 5-6Nm would be a good start for tightening.

What size star nut do I need?

– To check which size you need, measure the internal diameter of your steerer and choose a star nut that’s between 1mm and 3mm larger than that size.

How does a bicycle headset work?

Your bike’s headset is the bearing assembly that keeps your fork attached to your bicycle, and it’s what allows you to turn your fork and handlebars to steer your bicycle. The steerer tube protrudes out past the upper head tube and is clamped down and held in place by the handlebar stem.

How do you use a threadless nut setter?

The Threadless Nut Setter is used to install star-fangled nuts found on threadless headset systems. Thread the nut onto the TNS-1, insert into the fork stack, and tap it in with a hammer. Sets the starfangled nut to 15mm and keeps it straight. Long handle helps prevent pinched fingers.

Can you ride without a top cap?

Is it OK to ride without a headset top cap? Once you have your headset in adjustment, you can remove the top cap, bolt, and any spacers above the stem without experiencing a drop in performance or longevity. But of course, if you want to adjust your headset, you’ll have to replace those parts.

How do you remove an expander plug?

The screw should force the expander plug downward and free up the who expander assembly and usually you will then be able to pull it up out of the carbon steerer by griping the outer edge with your finger nails, don’t pull by the bolt as that will tend to retighten it in the steerer tube.

What is a quill stem?

Quill stems The quill stem requires the threaded steerer tube of the fork to extend up through the headset but not protrude beyond it. The quill stem fits down into the inside of the top of steerer tube and is held in place by either a wedge-shaped nut and bolt or a cone-shaped expander nut and bolt.

How do you remove carbon fork expander?

To remove a compression plug, use an appropriately sized allen and remove the top cap from the compression plug assembly. Before removing the compression plug itself, you’ll want to make sure that your stem bolts are still tight on the steerer tube so that you fork doesn’t drop out of the headset.

Is it safe to extend a steerer tube?

Some of the steerer extenders work ok (the ones that go in like an old quill stem) especially if at least one clamp bolt of the stem goes on the original steerer (so stem bridges the join).

Where is the headset on a bicycle?

The headset is the interface between the fork to the bike frame, holding it securely in place while allowing it to rotate to steer.

Do I need headset spacers?

No, you don’t need to run spacers between the headset and stem. It’s hard to tell what, exactly, you’ll need without actually putting everything together.

How many spacers should a headset have?

Generally, most bikes have 20 to 30mm of headset spacers that can be moved freely above or below the stem.

Are expensive MTB Forks worth it?

High end forks handle everything better than a cheaper fork. More support throughout the travel, less spiking and a more supple ride. Cheaper forks will be a bit harsher, or may not be able to handle the impacts as well. They may not have compression or rebound dampening.

What is a fork crown?

A fork typically consists of two blades which are joined at the top by a fork crown. The crown is often at the front. Above the crown, a steerer tube attaches the fork to the bicycle and the handlebars (via a stem) allowing the rider to steer the bicycle.

Should headset spacers move?

The spacers should not spin. If they do, it’s a sign that the bearings have little or no pre-load and the head set will be loose. The pinch bolts were not loose when the top cap was tightened. You are missing a spacer.