Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - New frame woes.... FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

So my new frame finally arrived today. As I take it out of the box, unnwrap it, and get ready to install the headset, I notice that the headtube actually looks kind of huge.

So I take the headset out of its box, and exactly as I feared, the headset (1" cane creek threadless) is too small. Cup goes right through. So I grab my measuring tape and lo and behold, the headtube diameter is actually 1 1/8".

I'd laugh it off if it had been my mistake... but the website CLEARLY stated the 1" steerer diameter. Now I'm stuck with a 1" fork and headset that are useless to me. And I probably won't be able to sell them separately since I hastily installed the crown race on the fork yesterday, in anticipation for the frame to arrive.... and that thing's gonna be a ***** to remove.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/2364/ffffuuuu.jpg

Nate - the Pake blog does state a 1 1/8" head tube for 2010.

http://pakebikes.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-track-frame-and-fork-news.html

There is such a things as a headtube reducer that will allow you to use your 1" headset/fork. Here:

http://www.amazon.com/Wheels-Manufacturing-BMX-headtube-reducer/dp/B001CK0QA6

What is the frame?

It's a 2010 Pake track. Looks like they adopted the 1 1/8" standard for their new batch of frames and failed to notify retailers of this. I'm sure everyone's just using the same specs as the old design on their stores.

I'm trying to take deep breaths. Already wrote an email and tried my hardest to keep it amicable.


Nate - they do sell headtube reducers that will allow you to use your 1" headset/fork.

Here:

http://www.amazon.com/Wheels-Manufacturing-BMX-headtube-reducer/dp/B001CK0QA6

EDIT:
I should have taken a look at that post. ****. The retailer had most of the important geometry measurements (including the 1" steerer), so I got too cocky and ordered straight from them.

I checked out the Pake website to corroborate the geometry (it still had the 1" steerer listed), and actually did look at the blog, but the most recent post (didn't go beyond it. failed to check out older ones) had no measurment info, so I just assumed they rolled with the same design and it all matched.


Anyways, looks like those steertube reducers will be just what i need. Rather spend $20 than have to sell this fork and headset to get some new ones. Thanks!

Hey brother, crown races are a piece of cake to remove.

Use a punch/flathead and hammer, gently walk around it, don't force, don't focus on one area, boom that thing is off in literally 12 seconds.

I just read that entire last post in Hulk Hogan voice because it opened with "Hey brother"

Always glad to help, Nate! :D

http://www.anorak.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/baby_hulk-hogan.jpg

Hey brother, crown races are a piece of cake to remove.

Use a punch/flathead and hammer, gently walk around it, don't force, don't focus on one area, boom that thing is off in literally 12 seconds.
Well, it looks like I can save myself the trouble of having to remove it plus having to sell the fork and headset to buy new ones by using those reducers scrod linked me to.

Any caveats I should be aware of, Scrod or anyone?

I just installed a set a couple of weeks ago on a customer's bike who was switching out a 1 1/8" fork with one from another of her bikes that was 1". Just press the reducer cups in as you you would the headset cups (using your mighty ghetto press), then press the headset cups into the reducer and install like you normally would.

Thanks for the tip!

I've just called a few LBS's and none of them have these. Looks like I'll have to order online and wait :cry:

EDIT: Strike that... just called B's Bikes and they got em. **** YES. heading there after work.

Man I have to keep up... Must be getting old!
I thought this post was by Noir Lethal... I wanted to know how he went from selling the Kilo TT to a Pake all with in 24hrs, including having the Pake shipped.
Sorry Naterod.

s'all good.

I don't want to play the blame game, since I'm partially to blame for not digging deeper... but this could have all been avoided if the retailer and manufacturer had the correct info readily available. One shouldn't have to dig THAT deep to get the right information.

Luckily, I can fix this with a $15 set of reducers, as opposed to having to sell everything.

And on that note, I'm happy I don't have to sell this fork to get the new straight blade one, which is kind of "meh" anyways. I'm digging my more classic curved one :D

My biggest challenge was getting the bars up HIGH enough on my Schwinn Qualifier. Wald High Rise Bars - 13" high - solved the problem. Now it rides like a normal SS bike!

^ Not trying to nit-pick but what does that have to do with anything being talked about here?

How'd you do, Nate?

Haven't gotten to it yet. Had an impromptu trip out of town. Will be back tomorrow afternoon to tackle it.

Well that was a total failure. My little homemade press didn't work as well as I expected.


EDIT:

took it to B's Bikes (love em) and they did it for $10. Can't complain about that. Saved me a lot of headache

Ay where online did you get the 2010 pake frameset??

Well that was a total failure. My little homemade press didn't work as well as I expected.


EDIT:

took it to B's Bikes (love em) and they did it for $10. Can't complain about that. Saved me a lot of headache

Oh no...what happened?

It's cool that you found a decent local shop.

Yeah they're lifesavers. Love that shop. A bit out of the way for me, but worth it. Much more reasonable prices and friendlier, more knowledgeable staff than others around the area.

So basically the press kept pushing the reducers in at weird angles. Something about my press design just wasn't right. couldn't find a way to get them in straight.

I was able to cut the headtube and do the rest at home and already have the steer mechanism of the bike done. Wanted to take care of the cranks as well today by taking the crankset from the scrambler and installing it on this one, but GODDAMN! that crank nut won't budge! Need to get myself an allen wrench with a longer handle. My tiny pocket multi-tool is unable to generate enough torque.

She's coming along. Hope to have her finished by monday.

It's always something isn't it?

Do you have a crank puller?

Home-made headset presses often press cups in a bit awkwardly.

Just have to take your time and do it a few times until it goes in right.

Ay where online did you get the 2010 pake frameset??
Did you get one of the new colors?

http://superbbicycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/pake-right.jpg
phot0:superbbicycle

Sorry. Missed your post before. I got the frame at ride-this.com


Do you have a crank puller?
I do not. Wish I did.

Pick one up. They're cheap!

http://cgi.ebay.com/PARK-BICYCLE-CWP-7-UNIVERSAL-CRANK-PULLER-WRENCH-TOOL_W0QQitemZ390174817594QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad83b3d3a

I finally managed to do it yaaaaay!

Bike is ALMOST complete. All I need is a new chain (My current one is too short) and then it's done and done.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/aquatek/photo6-1.jpg

Scrod: That's the one I got.

Lovin' the pink tape breau(bro)!

Thanks brah. Shame the tape rolls were so short. I wanted to wrap up the entire bar. :cry:

what ya got, might be interested......?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/aquatek/photo6-1.jpg

Did you paint this one yourself? That's a very nice looking Pake. I usually hate how they look, but this one's an exception. Very Nice.

I can't take credit for the paint job. This is one of the stock color schemes in the 2010 Pake line.

Thanks!

Not putting a pink chain right?

it's going to be a lime green chain brah!


No not really. Just plain silver.

http://superbbicycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/pake-right.jpg
phot0:superbbicycle

That blue frame with the greenish fork is sexy as #$@%

Agreed. That blue is killer.

Nate - your bike is looking great!

I want red with a grey fork.

Thanks Scrod!

Finally finished her off today. Feel good mang

http://pedalroom.com/p/1208_4.jpg

http://pedalroom.com/p/1208_3.jpg

http://pedalroom.com/p/1208_2.jpg

Sweet, you better ride the balls out of it.

What size?

I will literally ride the bumpernutz I'm planning to hang from the saddle rails out of it.

It's a 53 cm frame. One size larger than my previous one, and amazingly it made a huge difference. Now it feels just right. Already took it out for the maiden voyage and it was dreamy. :love:

Kind of happy I geared it down as well. A lot more responsive.

Ah went with externals I see.
Tho the s300 bearing cups are bit on the heavy side me thinks.
Super simp to put on and take off tho! :thumb:
Hey at the bottom headset cup looks like its tapering down to the fork??

Dude!, Black deep rims yellow n black front tire neon pink toe clips!!!! :D

Ye the 2010 color selection is nice, as well as the price!
Dang maybe I shoulda got the candy red with lime green fork! Tange Goodness! :cry:

I will literally ride the bumpernutz I'm planning to hang from the saddle rails out of it.


But the real question becomes what color bumpernutz?

Flesh colored bumpernutz for authenticity yo.


Ah went with externals I see.
Tho the s300 bearing cups are bit on the heavy side me thinks.
Super simp to put on and take off tho! :thumb:
Hey at the bottom headset cup looks like its tapering down to the fork??

Yeah I like the sram crankset design. relatively easy to install/maintain.

The fork does taper up to the crown which makes it look like it just flows up into the headset.