Forks won't fit frame!

[Hawkhill09]

Hey guys,

I recently purchased a set of Fox 32 F120 forks. I tried to fit them to my Marin Hawkhill 2009 but the width of the fork post meant it wouldn't fit all the way down. This also meant the ball bearings couldn't be put in place.

The fox forks widen at the base of the post leaving a 1 inch gap between the bottom of the forks and the bottom of the headset when in place. If I rode the bike like this the post and frame would grind together during turning of the bars resulting in a sorry excuse for a mountain bike.

I am using the original Dart2's that came with the bikeat the moment and hating them

Is there a fix for this or are the frame and forks non-compatible?

Cheers.

[fietsbob]

go thru a Bike shop .. that can see the issue
that will help ..
hot new trend is a bigger bearing in the bottom, than the top,

did you think the order thru, with measurements taken ahead of time, to compare?

[AlphaDogg]

They are not compatible. I don't know much about MTB's, but I think you tried to install a fork with a tapered steerer tube in a frame with a standard head tube.

[CACycling]

The Fox 32 is available in tapered steerer and your bike isn't made for that. Measure twice, order once (or just visit your LBS).

[Hawkhill09]

Thanks for your help guys.

After considering my options I have decided to buy a new frame. I tried asking my LBS but he was far more interested in selling me a new bike!
Any suggestions for a hard tail frame?

I ride XC but go to trail centers now and again

The Marin Hawk Hill 2009 components will need to be transfered acorss onto the new frame:

Specs

Brakes:Avid Juicy 3 Hydraulic Disc with 6" Rotor

Cassette (Rear cogs):SRAM PG-950, Power Glide II, 11-34, 9 Speed

Crank:FSA Dynadrive, 44/32/22

Derailleur (front and back): SRAM X-5

Seat Post: Alloy Micro Adjust, 30.9mm x 400mm

Headset: TH-888, 1 1/8", Threadless

[DCB0]

I'm sure there are many many options - the only constraint is that you need a frame with a tapered headtube. Most major manufacturers have a few frames that will work - SPecialized, Trek, Santa Cruz, Jamis...


Just so you know, you are likely to spend as much or more on a frame that accepts your fork than you would on a whole new bike with better quality overall than your entry level Marin. If I were you I would sell the Marin complete and sell the Fox fork and put the money toward a new or used better quality bike.

[THE ARS]

Looks like a nice fork.

Can't you just replace the steerer?


Tom

[AlphaDogg]

Looks like a nice fork.

Why don't you just replace the steerer?


Tom

...because you can't?

[THE ARS]

Ouch.

That's going to be a big hit if Hawk paid full sticker, they're 50% off at Hucknroll. And it still costs considerably more than that frame would.

Hawk, if I were you I would do anything in my power to get a 1 1/8 steerer.

These tapered forks are a gimmick, they have been making 1 1/4, 1 1/2 head tubes forever. Now they are tapered for weight saving.

It's nonsense.

Don't get stuck with two things that will be obsolete in three years.


Tom

[reptilezs]

tapered is here to stay. the options for 1.25 and 1.5 stems are not great

[THE ARS]

tapered is here to stay. the options for 1.25 and 1.5 stems are not great

What?

There are no options for a reason. They were nonsense.

Options for 1 1/8 are great, because 99.44% of riders will never break a head tube.

What if they just made steel frames again?

Wouldn't that solve the problem without ******** the consumer?

Just a thought.


Tom

[FastJake]

After considering my options I have decided to buy a new frame. I tried asking my LBS but he was far more interested in selling me a new bike!
Any suggestions for a hard tail frame?

This sounds like a nightmare of incompatibility issues waiting to happen. Plus, a new frame plus the fork you already bought will probably be more expensive than a new complete bike of comparable quality.

Can you return the fork? If not I would try selling/trading it on craigslist. You will probably take a bit of a loss on it, but you did buy the wrong one...

[LesterOfPuppets]

I'd try to return the fork myself and grab that Hucknroll deal.

Replacing MTB forks can be tough. Steerer tube size/style. Axle size/style. Disc mount type. It's a jungle out there.

I'm afraid tapered steerers will be around for a few years. Bike manu's love rolling out incompatible stuff. Even the roadies have to deal with tapered steerer stupidity.

[DCB0]

...99.994% of riders will never break a head tube...

Fixed.

[DCB0]

I think we may have lost Hawkhill09... only the two posts. He is probably at home right now wondering why the bottom bracket shell in his new frame is so big and unthreaded.