trek navigator 200 replacement fork?
07-24-17, 11:36 AM
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trek navigator 200 replacement fork?
I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this question, but does anyone have any suggestions for replacing the fork on a Trek Navigator 200.
I bought the bike used. I think it's a 2003 model. It's the 21 inch frame and at least with this particular model year it had a really long neck with a 275 mm thredded neck with a RST fork.
One of the springs in the front shock Fork Has Broken. So I need to replace the fork. I've had it to the local Trek dealer. They were not able to find a replacement part.
I even checked with RST and they don't have a part anymore that would work with this bike. My understanding is that Trek used a custom RST shock fork for this particular model so it is not a stock part.
If anyone has any suggestions for finding the replacement part please reply. I like this bike and hate to junk it if there is some reasonable way of repairing it.
I bought the bike used. I think it's a 2003 model. It's the 21 inch frame and at least with this particular model year it had a really long neck with a 275 mm thredded neck with a RST fork.
One of the springs in the front shock Fork Has Broken. So I need to replace the fork. I've had it to the local Trek dealer. They were not able to find a replacement part.
I even checked with RST and they don't have a part anymore that would work with this bike. My understanding is that Trek used a custom RST shock fork for this particular model so it is not a stock part.
If anyone has any suggestions for finding the replacement part please reply. I like this bike and hate to junk it if there is some reasonable way of repairing it.
07-24-17, 11:55 AM
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Welcome!
You'll need some basic measurements of the fork. Critical measurements include:
Axle-to-crown: distance from the hub axle's centerline (the axle hole in the dropouts) to the crown race of the fork, which is at the very bottom of the head tube in the frame. Essentially, you're measuring the distance from the base of the frame to where the axle mounts to the fork.
Steerer tube diameter: diameter of the steerer tube that sticks through the frame. You said that it's a threaded headset, so it's probably either a 1" OD (outside diameter) steerer tube or a 1-1/8" OD steerer tube. Measure after you remove the top lock nut of the headset.
Stem diameter: an alternative to the steerer tube diameter above (and an easier measurement to take), you can measure the diameter of the actual stem sticking out of the top of the fork. A 1" OD steerer tube will use a 7/8" OD stem. A 1-1/8" OD steerer tube will use a 1" OD stem.
The length of the steerer tube can be too long, because it can be cut down. In fact, I would say that they're often too long, requiring cutting (so the part applies to as many different situations as possible). Related webpage from Park Tool:
Fork Steering Column Length and Sizing
Your bike shop should have a catalog and be able to find what you need based on the measurements you provide. If not, they should be able to measure it and find you something. Alternatively, post those measurements here and perhaps someone here has a lead for you.
You'll need some basic measurements of the fork. Critical measurements include:
Axle-to-crown: distance from the hub axle's centerline (the axle hole in the dropouts) to the crown race of the fork, which is at the very bottom of the head tube in the frame. Essentially, you're measuring the distance from the base of the frame to where the axle mounts to the fork.
Steerer tube diameter: diameter of the steerer tube that sticks through the frame. You said that it's a threaded headset, so it's probably either a 1" OD (outside diameter) steerer tube or a 1-1/8" OD steerer tube. Measure after you remove the top lock nut of the headset.
Stem diameter: an alternative to the steerer tube diameter above (and an easier measurement to take), you can measure the diameter of the actual stem sticking out of the top of the fork. A 1" OD steerer tube will use a 7/8" OD stem. A 1-1/8" OD steerer tube will use a 1" OD stem.
The length of the steerer tube can be too long, because it can be cut down. In fact, I would say that they're often too long, requiring cutting (so the part applies to as many different situations as possible). Related webpage from Park Tool:
Fork Steering Column Length and Sizing
Your bike shop should have a catalog and be able to find what you need based on the measurements you provide. If not, they should be able to measure it and find you something. Alternatively, post those measurements here and perhaps someone here has a lead for you.
07-24-17, 12:54 PM
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Given that the Trek has an unusual spec for a fork (going on Google images, 26" and threaded), and the age of the bike, would look at 2 things.
1 - If you can source a fork, what will the cost be, this + installation, could make a replacement bike a cheaper option.
2 - Have you looked at buying a doner bike? (if it's just the spring is broke, all you need a bike with the same fork/the fork on it's own) locally/on ebay having a quick look on ebay.com, there are some, in you size on there, this may be an option if you can't source a new fork.
1 - If you can source a fork, what will the cost be, this + installation, could make a replacement bike a cheaper option.
2 - Have you looked at buying a doner bike? (if it's just the spring is broke, all you need a bike with the same fork/the fork on it's own) locally/on ebay having a quick look on ebay.com, there are some, in you size on there, this may be an option if you can't source a new fork.
07-24-17, 02:21 PM
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a Navigator 200? that rst fork has 2" of travel, and is quite heavy, too...
you have three options
1: get a fork with more travel
2: get a RIDGED fork that will be substantially lighter
3: buy a different bike that is in better shape, and will probably be funner to ride and maintain
Are you CERTAIN about that steerer tube length? that's 10 3/4 inches! your bike would be sized for a seven foot tall, and up, rider. The fork is a 1" threaded fork... you COULD opt for a longer travel fork, you know...... measure your fork's steerer tube from the bottom of your headset's bottom bearing cup, to the top of the headset nut at the top, and please report what you come up with for that measurement, ok? that will give us a ballpark estimate on that steerer tube's length, ok? 275mm is kinda suspect, IMO.... PROBABLY a 175mm(6 7/8") tube... which would be about right for every pic of 2003 Navigators i found, btw...
If it indeed turns out that the steerer tube is actually about 175mm, this fork will work, after being trimmed down to length...
what condition is the rest of the bike in?
I part out about 200 bikes a year, and have never once seen a 1" threaded fork with that length of steerer... i'm not saying that the 275mm dim. is wrong, but it's sure weird.
you have three options
1: get a fork with more travel
2: get a RIDGED fork that will be substantially lighter
3: buy a different bike that is in better shape, and will probably be funner to ride and maintain
Are you CERTAIN about that steerer tube length? that's 10 3/4 inches! your bike would be sized for a seven foot tall, and up, rider. The fork is a 1" threaded fork... you COULD opt for a longer travel fork, you know...... measure your fork's steerer tube from the bottom of your headset's bottom bearing cup, to the top of the headset nut at the top, and please report what you come up with for that measurement, ok? that will give us a ballpark estimate on that steerer tube's length, ok? 275mm is kinda suspect, IMO.... PROBABLY a 175mm(6 7/8") tube... which would be about right for every pic of 2003 Navigators i found, btw...
If it indeed turns out that the steerer tube is actually about 175mm, this fork will work, after being trimmed down to length...
what condition is the rest of the bike in?
I part out about 200 bikes a year, and have never once seen a 1" threaded fork with that length of steerer... i'm not saying that the 275mm dim. is wrong, but it's sure weird.
Last edited by maddog34; 07-24-17 at 06:40 PM.
07-25-17, 11:36 PM
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Okay, here is an idea, maybe not great, but...
You may be able to find an RST fork on eBay that will be close to your 50mm travel. They are cheap forks, so you'll get what you get. One interesting thing about some older RST forks is that they had a bolt on steerer tube like some of the old Marzocchi forks. I know about this because I am running a Marzocchi with a 1" steerer. RST sells the steerers separately (you may have to search for them). I have a couple to use in my Marzocchi forks if I need one.
As others have said, you'll need to figure out the steerer tube diameter that you need. You might have to go to a threadless steerer and swap out the headset and stem. The crown to race measurement is important but you can fudge it some. I have a '92 Serotta mountain bike that came with a 46mm travel fork and I'm running a 70mm one on it.
But... at the end of the day this is a lot of work and labor to piece it all together on an older inexpensive bike. You can probably find a better used bike that is newer for not a lot of money.
John
Edit added: The fork above that maddog34 suggested is a good candidate. There are also NOS RST381 and RST400 forks on eBay for $50. I found 1" steerer tubes threaded @ 200mm and threadless @ 265mm available at universal cycles for $20.
You may be able to find an RST fork on eBay that will be close to your 50mm travel. They are cheap forks, so you'll get what you get. One interesting thing about some older RST forks is that they had a bolt on steerer tube like some of the old Marzocchi forks. I know about this because I am running a Marzocchi with a 1" steerer. RST sells the steerers separately (you may have to search for them). I have a couple to use in my Marzocchi forks if I need one.
As others have said, you'll need to figure out the steerer tube diameter that you need. You might have to go to a threadless steerer and swap out the headset and stem. The crown to race measurement is important but you can fudge it some. I have a '92 Serotta mountain bike that came with a 46mm travel fork and I'm running a 70mm one on it.
But... at the end of the day this is a lot of work and labor to piece it all together on an older inexpensive bike. You can probably find a better used bike that is newer for not a lot of money.
John
Edit added: The fork above that maddog34 suggested is a good candidate. There are also NOS RST381 and RST400 forks on eBay for $50. I found 1" steerer tubes threaded @ 200mm and threadless @ 265mm available at universal cycles for $20.
Last edited by 70sSanO; 07-25-17 at 11:52 PM.
09-05-17, 09:17 AM
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thanks,
I finally got some help from RST. They could not get me an exact fork replacement, but can sell me something that I can modify to make it work pressing out the old fork and using this one they are selling me. .
Apparently Trek had a special order fork for the 21.5" frame in this model.
I finally got some help from RST. They could not get me an exact fork replacement, but can sell me something that I can modify to make it work pressing out the old fork and using this one they are selling me. .
Apparently Trek had a special order fork for the 21.5" frame in this model.
