Bicycle Mechanics - Replacing Fork

Currently Performance has the Manitou Minute 3:00 Suspension Fork for $369. I am thinking of replacing a Rock Shox Pilot SL with this unit (unless someone has a better idea for a lockout fork). As far as I can tell, my 2004 Trek Fuel 80 has a 1 1/4 inch fork installed. Can I buy the fork with some assurance that my local shop can replace the headset with one that fits the fork (the fork is only available in 1 1/8 sizing).?

Thanks!

Really? You can use a fork with a smaller steer-tube diameter by changing the headset? Ummm....

There was another thread on this not too long ago, where I posted this link,

http://www.chrisking.com/headsets/hds_devo.html

The Chris King "Devolution" headset will let you do just that. I think someone posted a cheaper solution in that thread, but don't have time to search for it just this second.

Really? You can use a fork with a smaller steer-tube diameter by changing the headset? Ummm....

Yeah. Cane Creek makes the headset too. That's how I installed a standard fork on my Cannondale.

I found the King headset...for $140, I might look a bit harder for another solution or a fork that fits at the outset (anyone know of a place where I can sort the list of available forks by size...?).

I also found this after hunting for the thread mentioned above... I wonder how well these would work.

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/COMPHSRED/HD9900

Thanks

I also found this after hunting for the thread mentioned above... I wonder how well these would work.

Thanks

They're crap. They creak, and raise your stack height. You can find the Cane Creek headset for under $100, I'm pretty sure someone (Cambria?) had them on sale for $50 or so.

The only Cane Creek I could find adapted Cannondale frames to standard forks..nothing to adapt a 1 1/4 to 1 1/8.. am I missing something? I have looked at every product on thier site...

They have the 1.5 to 1 1/8", they should have something for the 1.25 as well. I got mine from Monk a Moo, or something like that, on ebay. Try qbike.com.

Didn't know about qbike.com...great site.
I still can't find it....I will just give them a ring tomorrow.

Thanks

Ferndown...before you order the fork check the ride height of your current fork. Measure from the center of the front hub to the bottom of your fork race. Check that number against the Minute 3:00 dimension.

I just ordered a Skareb fork from performance to replace my rockshox...I guess were doing the same thing.

I will break out the measuring tape..thanks.

According to Cane Creek, irregardless of what I am measuring, I own a 1 1/8 setup. I told him the model number of the headset as well as the bike and he swore that I would have no problems.

Thanks

Interesting.

Are you sure that your Fuel 80 has a 1 1/4 inch fork? That part doesn't sound right to me. Sometimes one measurement is worth a thousand guesses. Just pop off the top cap and measure the hole in the stem where the steerer tube fits.