cuddlebum

I have a Scott lightweight mountian bike and im trying to put zoom suspension forks on. After I removed the forks I found out that the zoom forks dont have a threading so i can't put them on. What should i do as i want theses forks on my bike. Any help would be Perfect!

Little Darwin

Assuming the fork steerer is the right diameter, you need to either buy and install a threadless headset or have the fork threaded. I would suggest the headset.

However, putting a suspension fork on a bike not designed for one will change your steering characteristics, so you should be aware that putting suspension forks on a non-suspension bike will not give you the same characteristics as a bike built for them. You may be just fine, but you may have some minor handing issues.

cuddlebum

thanx man what make would u recomend

well biked

So the bike originally had a rigid fork, and you want to put a suspension fork on it? If that's the case, you'll probably be fine as far as the bike's handling, just don't put a fork on it with anything more than, say, 80mm of travel. Even then, your bike may be a little less responsive in the handling department, but will likely be okay. I've done this type of conversion before, and it worked out fine. And as Little Darwin said, as long as your bike's headtube is the right size for the fork's steerer, get an appropriately sized threadless headset and install it so you can install the threadless fork. For details on installing the headset and cutting the fork steerer to length, etc., go to the Park Tool website, click on "Repair Help" and go from there. If you lack the tools or confidence to do it on your own, you could get the whole conversion done (labor) at your LBS for not all that much money I would think. Good luck-

Little Darwin

There are other questions to be answered such as the type of headset you are using now (some bikes use integrated headsets, and there are a couple of different types).

Installing the headset will require a press, which can be home built pretty easily, but it is another step in the process... The building of a home made headset press can be found with a search in the forums. Basically a threaded rod 2 nuts and washers.

Removing the old headset can also be accomplished without special tools... but it may take some ingenuity.

Some info on the different headset types are on this page: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html and at ParkTool.com as well.

You will also need a new stem, and to have a star nut set into the new steering tube... and potentially cutting the steerer to length and/or spacers.

As stated above, a bike shop might do all of the work for a reasonable price, especially if you buy the stem, spacers and other little pieces you need there...

EDIT: and if your extreme downhill label is true, you may want to make sure you specify that you will be doing serious downhill runs... it may lead to the recommendation of a higher end headset.

well biked

Ah, I forgot about the need for a new stem when converting from threaded to threadless, Little Darwin. Good point.........If it were me, I'd scour ebay for a short travel Marzocchi fork with a threaded steerer. Some of the coil sprung models were available until fairly recently with threaded steerers, I believe. These are excellent forks, oil damped, easily serviceable, and very durable. The problem might be in finding one with a steerer tube length that would work with the bike's headtube length, though. And of course whether a 1" or 1 1/8" fork is needed.

As for "extreme downhill", cuddlebum, I wouldn't expect to do much of that on an older, fully rigid mtb that you've simply put a front suspension fork on (assuming that's what you're doing). I'm sure you know that, though. But the GT I once converted from fully rigid to front suspended was a better riding trail bike with front suspension than it was originally, though -

cuddlebum

Thanx Guys ill give it a try

cuddlebum

the bike is alchulally for dirt/jumping

cuddlebum

I do dirt Jumping and downhill
so i need a bike for each type

cuddlebum

So I just buy a threadless headset or do i need to buy a stem as well or does the stem come with it