Expander/Compression Plug for Carbon Steer
 

I have a Rodeo Labs Spork Carbon Fork for my upcoming build. It looks very nice. I need a plug for the steer tube - not sure what the real term is - it seems like they are called differently on various websites.
I see that some have a spring around the expanding part and others don't. I want to get a reliable plug - I have read some reviews where folks say that they work loose and need re-tightened every few rides.
Never had to buy one before since my last fork came with one.

Is there anything I should be looking for in choosing a plug? Any ones avoid or ones that work well and are a good value?

Other than avoiding the one-piece ones where the top cap threads into/tightens the expander, not really any specific model.

FSA and problem solvers both make good ones. If you are brave, you can epoxy a permanent preload assembly into the fork.

The Specialized compression plug is regarded as being one of the best.

https://www.amaincycling.com/special...4-2010/p691196


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...713b28d55c.jpg

I am not $450 brave so there will be no epoxying into the steer tube ;)

That Specialized Plug looks interesting - I watched a youtube vid of a guy showing how to remove one. I see you tighten the plug with an hex key and then the top cap screw goes inside the hex head. Kind of clever.
I e-mailed LBS that carries Specialized to see if they stock one or can get me one. Thanks.

Even if you don't epoxy anything, you'll still need to be brave if you want to torque that Specialized plug to the 9nm they have stamped on the top :). I chickened out after around 6 nm and even then I was expecting to hear my $500 steerer crack any second.

One interesting thing about the Specialized plug: They call for cutting the steerer so that it sits slightly below the top edge of the stem clamp. One side effect of this is that the expander plug will usually extend 10mm or so below the bottom edge of the stem. I read somewhere that this is supposed to help spread out the bending forces exerted on the steerer by the stem so that they aren't all focused on the bottom edge of the clamp.

I violated this because my steerer splintered a bit when I was cutting it (a small chip of the top layer of carbon, maybe 4x4 mm square, broke off one side of the cut), so I figured it would be safer to place the top of the steerer 5mm above the stem clamp where there would be no force acting on it.

They all work the same way, a larger bolt tightens the plug into the steerer and a smaller bolt threads into the larger bolt to tighten the top cap. The Specialized plug is really no different from others in terms of installation. This is common.

What sets that plug apart from many others is that it is very long and supports the inside of the steerer along the entire stem. There are some other very good ones but that is the one I know and have used.

The video below by Luescher Teknic describes the issue with supporting the steerer along the entire stem. It is definitely worth watching.



-Tim-