Table of Contents
How far down should a star nut be?
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.
What is a star nut used for?
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.
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.
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.
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).
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 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 tight should headset cap be?
When tightening the headset top cap it MUST push down on the stem, or the spacer above it, and not the fork column itself (the top cap pushes down on the headset which tightens it up). Do up the headset top cap until it is just tight — at this point you should be unable to turn your stem spacers. Do not overtighten it.
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 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.
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 is a headset expander?
The headset expander by Specialized – for 1 1/8″ carbon steerer tubes. The Specialized headset expander is used for safe and gentle mounting of headsets in carbon steerer tubes. You should not be using a conventional expander plugs for carbon steerer tubes. The expander is compatible with 1 1/8″ road and MTB forks.
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.
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).
What is the steerer tube on a bike?
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. The steerer tube of the fork interfaces with the frame via bearings called a headset mounted in the head tube.
What is the purpose of top cap?
The top cap is used to properly set preload on the bearings before you tighten the stem pinch bolts. After that it’s only function is as an added safety in case the stem loosens up or you haven’t cut the steerer tube down and are running around with a stack of spacers above the stem.
Is a stem cap important?
No, bicycle tires will not lose air or deflate if the caps are missing. While they are important their primary function is to keep the valve dirt free, and not to hold in air. Thus, the valve stem caps main purpose is to keep the valve clean.
Can I ride without a stem cap?
Even though you will be fine to drive with a missing air valve cap, we recommend replacing it when you get the chance so that you can keep dust and debris out of your tires. Metal caps can corrode over time and fuse to the stem, and removing it will become extremely difficult when you need to refill your tires.
