What's the standard here? I just received my Bob Jackson Audax End-End frame and started putting it together. Installed Record headset and crown race on fork. As I put the fork into the frame with headset cups installed, I noticed the threaded steerer is about 3/4 inch too long. Do frame builders generally leave a bit of steerer so there is some leeway on the headset stack height? Or is this an oversight? I'm thinking it was an oversight because the headtube length was shortened compared to the standard headtube length for my size frame due to the fact that I opted for Paul Racers. I was told that the Pauls raised the fork crown due to where the studs are placed for Paul Racers.

Likely left long to allow any headset combination. No big deal to cut the steer tube for any stack height or combination of spacers.

The steerer can't be cut to length until the headset is selected and it's decided how much extra length is needed for desired spacers, center pull brake fittings, etc. I've bought frame/fork combos three times, once from BJ in 2003, and each time the steerer needed to be cut to final length. My recollection is that with the Bob Jackson that the head tube needed to be faced as well -- I recall the guy doing it. It's been my understanding that with a lot of small frame makers, the final prep work is left for the person installing the headset to do.

With the favorable exchange rate recently, I've been thinking of ordering another Jackson frame. Can you offer any insight as to how they are to deal with these days, time to finish and the like?

What I can see of your frame looks nice, btw.

Harold

Threaded forks are made in a limited number of steerer lengths and the builder is expected to cut it to final length. When you do cut it, leave enough extra length for at least 5 mm of spacers below the lock nut to allow for a different stack height headset in the future. The greatest stack height threaded headset I know of is about 40 mm so make allowances for that much or a bit more.

the fork steerer can be threaded further , or you can use one of sheldon's techniques threadless top cup and threaded hardware above that.

I'm not a flipped and slammed seat higher than the handlebars carbon loving roadie, just a Mechanic..


Pauls has a relatively thick cable hanger to go with the racer center pulls . it will take up some Steerer Tube length, and grip the steerer.