Skreech

So I am looking to ditch the XCT fork that came on my 2016 Scott Aspect 950. I figured I would either go with an Epicon, Raidon or a RS 30 Gold TK but I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find a clear answer on. Sorry if all this has been discussed (and I'm sure it has) but I have spent some time searching and I can't quite find anything that is really helping me out at the moment. Anyway my questions / concerns are as follows:

1. How exactly do I tell if my bike has a tapered or straight steerer tube without pulling out the fork?? I'm assuming that it is a straight tube since the (headtube?) tube itself seems to be the same dimensions throughout (by looking)

2. Trying to figure out exactly what type of hub I have. It has a QR style release but not sure if its the 9mmQR or 15mm etc. I know the hub on the front wheel is a Formula DC19-FQR. I attempted to look this hub up for my info but I came up short. I found many Formula hubs listed but not this one.


I haven't had a chance to go back to the LBS where I bought my bike to ask them for the info but honestly they don't seem like they have any interest at all in helping with questions etc before and even after a purchase. I will be scouting out new LBS to take my business to when I finally get a chance (2 FT jobs)

If anyone could shed any light on this for me or give me a better idea how I can figure these things out for myself (preferably without taking my bike apart) I would greatly appreciate it. One day I want to be able to do all the work on my own bike but right now I feel lost in all of these various configurations and I just want to get the right stuff. I will pay a different LBS to do the install work for me.

sv500

You can tell by looking, should be able to see the top part will be more narrow than the bottom. Don't know what you mean about the hubs. You saying you want an upgrade? Or just fitting advice?

Skreech

Just fitment advice right now I guess. I eventually want to change the wheel set but right now I just want to order a new, better fork. I'm not sure if my hubs are the 9mmQR, 15mm or 20 ( I'm thinking they are 15 but not exactly sure). I can't find many specs on the parts of this bike (its mostly entry level stock) so I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. I figured I'd call Scott Sports but they specifically say call the LBS / dealer for such things.

The type of hub (9mmQR, 15mm,20mm) is a fitment factor on the fork isn't it?

Hope I don't sound like a blithering fool but last time I messed with bikes all this stuff (tapered steer, 15,20 hubs etc all this) wasn't really a thing I guess.

I'm 98% sure that I will be getting a RS Gold 30 TK 100mm w/ pop-loc to replace my current fork but I need to make sure I get the right one. I'm fairly certain I have a straight steer because it appears (I'll get a caliper and verify when I get home) that it is the same diameter at the top and bottom by just looking at the frame where it goes through.

corrado33

9mm is a traditional QR.



15mm (and up) is thru axle.

Top axle in this pic.



Tapered headtube vs. straight.

Skreech

Thank you very much Corrado33. This makes it very simple. I'll take a closer look at my QR/Axle when I get home to make sure exactly what it is. I just got off the phone with the LBS where I bought the bike and SURPRISE! They were no real help......... I explained that I bought the bike from them......what it was....my situation and the only response is "pull it out and look"..... WTF is that?

Thanks much guys. Hopefully one day I'll be able to help someone as much as you guys are helping me. I sure hope so.

Kevin stafford

be sure to check in to the Suntour upgrade program, you can get a Raidon or Epicon, etc. for much lower than retail.

corrado33

Meh, I can understand the LBS guys not knowing. It's hard to know the specs of every bike that goes through the shop, and it's even more annoying to look it up when the customer could literally do the exact same thing. The mechanic simply told you to do exactly what every mechanic would. Both of your questions are easily answered by looking at the bike. (No offense intended.) For someone who knows better, your question is akin to "Is my bike a double or a triple?" To which the answer is always "I don't know, look at it yourself!"

I've been where you are. Frustrated because you don't quite have the knowledge yet but still want to know and no one wants to give you a straight answer. You'll get it eventually. I recommend checking out sheldon's site for all your bike knowledge wants and needs.

Sheldon Brown-Bicycle Technical Information

If you want to know something specific, I'll often google something like "sheldon brown tapered steerer" to find the right page. Navigation on that page is a bit of a mess. Unfortunately, I think tapered steerers/headtubes may be a bit too new for sheldon's site.


EDIT: For the record, it LOOKS like your bike has a non-tapered headtube and quick release (9mm) hubs. But the only way to know for sure is to look at it yourself.

Bikernator

Telling someone to look themselves and telling someone what to look for are very different things. The former is poor customer service/laziness, the latter is very helpful - especially when the person is wanting to learn. As the story reads, the shop did a poor job of service after the sale.

hig4s

From the Suntour website is appears the XTC fork only comes in non-taperd and 9mm QR so I too would expect this.

corrado33

True, but who knows. Perhaps the mechanic was super busy (it IS that time of the year), tending to a customer, and was annoyed by another customer and etc. etc. etc. Doesn't forgive his rudeness, but still, I can see it from his point of view. I would have a told a customer to either A. Bring the bike in or B. look up "tapered headtube vs. straight" on google images. The first result of which is the picture I posted above.

Personally, even as a bike person myself, I didn't know traditional quick releases are called "9mm," in reference to the width of the dropout.

Everyone has bad days.

Skreech

Thanks everyone. I have come to the conclusion that my fork is indeed a straight head tube and 9mmQR - That being said I found some brand new (old stock) 2015 Epixon RL-R for the same price as the Raidon through the upgrade program ($200) so I believe that is going to be the route I take as they are 29" 9mmQR straight tube forks.

Thanks again folks!!

hig4s

Top pic is a thru axle, that is the axle, unscrew it and pull it out the wheel falls off.

bottom pic is a 9mm QR the piece you see is actually a 5mm skewer that goes through the axle which stays connected to the hub, so while you don't have to pull the skewer out to remove the wheel, if you do the wheel doesn't just fall off, it sits on the axle still in the hub.

corrado33

Obviously. I was making it simple for the OP.

hig4s

Yeah, I used your pics, but it was aimed at giving OP more info.. I just recently realized the axles stayed on the hubs with QRs, and the skewers don't support any weight, that is why they are are called 9mm and not 5mm.

jimc101

As no one has mentioned it, there is an upgrade program from Suntour that may be of some use to you SR Suntour North America