Mountain Biking - Deal?....install

Hey everyone. Well I just bought a 2001 RockShox Judy XC. I payed $200 ($125USD), is that an OK deal. Also now that I have it I need to install it. Sure I could get it done at my LBS but the only way to learn is to "do it your damn self"....right. Can anyone help out a newbie

Just a side question that has nothing to do with your question. Did you go to the bike show? Is that where you picked up your shocks? I picked up a set of Time clipless peddles and a pair of Shimoano shoes. I got 40% off on both.

Installing your new fork is fairly easy with the right tools. Measure your new fork against your old fork to determine the correct steerer tube length, plus or minus a few millimeters if you want more or less rise on your handlebars. Mark the correct height on your new steerer tube with grease pencil or marker, then using a hack saw guide from Park Tools and a hack saw, cut through the steerer. The saw guide clamps onto the steerer tube and allows you to cut in a straight line...without one you are going to veer to the left or right in your cut, and that is bad. De-burr the hacked section of your newly cut steerer, and you are all done! Good luck. Zach

Before you start, are you sure the old fork is 1-1/8" and that you have a threadless setup?

In addition to what was mentioned above, you will need to make sure that there is a 'star fangled nut' in the new fork or you will have to install one. Also, assuming you are using the old headset, the crown race will have to be removed from your old fork and put on your new one.

This is a pretty tricky procedure the first time, so I would consider taking it to a shop. Maybe you can ask them if you can watch. If you do do it yourself make sure you cut the fork steerer tube to the correct length - if you cut it too short you are screwed! As was mentioned, you can take this opportunity to leave the steerer tube a little longer if you want. If you want to raise your handlebars a bit without changing stems or if you think the fork might be on a different frame at some point, you should consider it.

Also, this link might help:

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_forksize.shtml

And a repair book like "Zinn's" might be a good investment at this point.

Thanks for the quick help and the link... I think I have everything I need to tackle this now... Oh and yes Betsy, I got it from the bike show, I work in the building ((so I got paid to shop and see some cool stuff) Thanks again

dude, you may learn some some stuff from this CD my girl got for me. it has tons of pics to install a fork.

http://bfr-it.com

by the way, if you are installing a new headset you may want a lbs to install the cups and lower race for you

pete:beer:

Or make a tool for yourself. Granted, it won't be in use every day but it is there when you need to change your headset. I made one from a 3 foot threaded rod with 2 thin convex discs (one on each side of the top cup and bottom cup. I then slowly tightened the discs against the cups using a couple of stop nuts (one underneath the bottom disc and the other above the top disc). Make sure though that the Headset cups are positioned perfectly on your frames' headtube before tightening the nuts!

It took me about 3 and a half hours to install the things and cut my fork tube, but they are still going strong 3 years later. I own a Rond Fork, so if you balls the tube up by cutting it too short, just go out and get another one as it is detachable. Simple but brilliant. It makes it easy to change your fork over to a new frame without buying new forks.

Good luck anyway. :)

Great Deal on the forks mate!

When I was over in Toronto (1998), I saw the Raptors kick the Chicargo Bulls ar$e...first time I've seen a Basket Ball Game too..what a treat!

Cheers

Rich

Hey Thanks alot. I just checked out that CD-ROM (demo) and ordered it. I hope it'll help (I need it). Also, about that Raptors game; I was at that game (truth be told I'm a huge Raptor fan) and it was a fun one. It felt like a playoff game, the first time the Raptors beat the Bulls. I thought we won the championship. Bye for now and thanks again.