Looking for compression wedge for CF steering tube
10-11-09, 12:24 PM
#1
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Looking for compression wedge for CF steering tube
I just got a fork with a CF steering tube.
Anyone know of a sub 39g compression wedge?
Anyone know of a sub 39g compression wedge?
10-11-09, 02:20 PM
#2
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The Ibis that I'm putting together came with a really light one, but it had a problem...it didn't work. I snooped around and just ended up putting a generic one in - none of them are very heavy. It looks like the Ritchey WCS might be a really good design, though.
10-11-09, 03:19 PM
#4
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Since I know that I'll not be changing the steering tube length on my bikes, I made my own permanent glue-in plugs with an M5 or M6 thread insert from Ace Hardware and a little epoxy putty. The plug with a Thomson top cap and stainless steel bolt weigh in at 18 grams.
The plug alone is lighter than that $40 extralite and only costs about $2 to make.
The plug alone is lighter than that $40 extralite and only costs about $2 to make.
Last edited by DaveSSS; 10-12-09 at 11:32 AM.
10-11-09, 06:34 PM
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If you want to save weight don't get a compression plug at all!!
Get the Easton EA-HSA.
https://cgi.ebay.com/Easton-EA-HSA-1-...#ht_1965wt_931
With the top cap it weighs less than 10grams. I just got mine and it works great. Some people say they have setup issues but I figured out the best way to set it up. Install the HSA and put the stem on, don't clamp the stem down. Use a tradition compression plug to slightly load the bearings. The tighten the stem down and remove the compression plug. At this point you may only need a slight adjustment to the HSA to properly load your headset, or no adjustment at all. The HSA is easily adjusted road side, it's just one bolt and you don't have to loosen your stem.
Get the Easton EA-HSA.
https://cgi.ebay.com/Easton-EA-HSA-1-...#ht_1965wt_931
With the top cap it weighs less than 10grams. I just got mine and it works great. Some people say they have setup issues but I figured out the best way to set it up. Install the HSA and put the stem on, don't clamp the stem down. Use a tradition compression plug to slightly load the bearings. The tighten the stem down and remove the compression plug. At this point you may only need a slight adjustment to the HSA to properly load your headset, or no adjustment at all. The HSA is easily adjusted road side, it's just one bolt and you don't have to loosen your stem.
10-11-09, 06:49 PM
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If you want to save weight don't get a compression plug at all!!
Get the Easton EA-HSA.
https://cgi.ebay.com/Easton-EA-HSA-1-...#ht_1965wt_931
With the top cap it weighs less than 10grams. I just got mine and it works great. Some people say they have setup issues but I figured out the best way to set it up. Install the HSA and put the stem on, don't clamp the stem down. Use a tradition compression plug to slightly load the bearings. The tighten the stem down and remove the compression plug. At this point you may only need a slight adjustment to the HSA to properly load your headset, or no adjustment at all. The HSA is easily adjusted road side, it's just one bolt and you don't have to loosen your stem.
Get the Easton EA-HSA.
https://cgi.ebay.com/Easton-EA-HSA-1-...#ht_1965wt_931
With the top cap it weighs less than 10grams. I just got mine and it works great. Some people say they have setup issues but I figured out the best way to set it up. Install the HSA and put the stem on, don't clamp the stem down. Use a tradition compression plug to slightly load the bearings. The tighten the stem down and remove the compression plug. At this point you may only need a slight adjustment to the HSA to properly load your headset, or no adjustment at all. The HSA is easily adjusted road side, it's just one bolt and you don't have to loosen your stem.
whoa, that's sweet. Only 11g and it replaces the top cap (usually 5g), the bolt (usually 7g), and the compression plug (heavy).
I might have to try that out when I get around to lightening my bike.
10-11-09, 07:14 PM
#8
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Specialized's alloy expander insert(w/o cap) is just 25g. I like it because it sleeves the entire inside of the CF steerer, preventing the stem clamp from crushing it. Installation is a bit tricky...but once you cinch it down correctly(the top cap MUST be flush with the steerer top...no amount of knurled sleeve protruding)...the thing becomes a set-and-forget item.
Avoid the ones that DO NOT have both stem clamp bolts sleeved inside.
Avoid the ones that DO NOT have both stem clamp bolts sleeved inside.
10-11-09, 08:35 PM
#9
Fred at large
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I have a NEW (still in box) FSA compressor available. It is the black alum one (not the carbon overlay one) 34 grams according to FSA.
Trades/cash/whatever. You can email me from the contacts tab on my profile if you're interested.
Trades/cash/whatever. You can email me from the contacts tab on my profile if you're interested.
10-12-09, 10:27 AM
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I have the KCNC plug, 35g and long enough to cover the whole stem area.
https://fairwheelbikes.com/kcnc-expan...gs-p-1189.html
https://fairwheelbikes.com/kcnc-expan...gs-p-1189.html
10-12-09, 12:16 PM
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That KCNC one is sweet. The good thing about that one is it reinforces the steer tube against crushing from the stem, most high quality steer tubes shouldn't have this problem though. I always set my stem with a torque wrench so I'm not so worried about that, and with the Easton HSA you don't have to loosen the stem to adjust the headset.
The Specialized one is good too, I've used that one before. It's nice and long so it has the same effect as the KCNC one.
The Specialized one is good too, I've used that one before. It's nice and long so it has the same effect as the KCNC one.
