I got my new rigid fork today. I asked my bike shop dude if it was hard to install and he said no, that I could do it easily. But I am looking at the steerer tube on my old fork, and the new fork, and there is something missing on the new fork. I think it is the race. I am not sure if that is what it is called but my bike shop dude reffered to it when he was explaining. All that is irrelevent I guess. What is wrong is that on my old fork, on the steer tube, there is a grove that fits around the bearing and snugs them up to the bottom/inside part of my headset. On the new fork, there is no such thing. Is this a piece I need to buy? Or is it a piece I can take off my old fork? And if so, can I take it off, or do I have to get my bike shop dude to take it off?

Forget that question for a few days. My dang LBS dude ordered me the wrong size steer tube.

The race is a part of the headset which is pressfit to the fork. You will need to remove it from your old fork and install on your new fork. Your LBS should be able to this for little to no charge. They have the tools which make it easier, although you come up w/ creative solutions on your own.

Does this mean you are still rideless? Hope not. If so, I'm sure it's driving you nuts.

I'm still rideless. He got me a 1'' steer tube. I ordered a 1 1/8'' tube. So I have to take it back today.

Can you re-use the race? I always though they were a fit-once component, removal being a fairly brutish operation involving a screwdriver and a hammer.

That is what I have been trying. Very Brutish.

I replaced my headset about 3 weeks ago. Campag.

The bearing races of course came out easy, but the cups had to be clouted pretty hard to make them let go.

And then putting the new ones in, I had to be very careful to get them to go in straight, and then wasn't keen to use the same degree of force to put them in as I did getting them out, in case my hammer-wielding damaged the surfaces of the cups.

So I took the fork in to the Local Bike Shop and they gave it one clout with the special tool and that did the job.

Had to do some touching up with a little paintbrush tho

Stew

Yes, you can reuse the race. Every headset uses a different race, so it's a pain to get a replacement since you have to special order it. Shops have a special tool to take them off with. If you do it yourself, I recommend getting a U-bolt from a hardware store that will span the race and gently tap. Works much better than a screw driver because you are putting force on 2 sides at once.

Since you are getting your new fork at the shop, just have them do it. Much easier.

I am fed up with my shop. I'm gonna take my fork back and have the dude reorder the right size, and thats it. I am never going back. If I need something I'll get it online or I'll go to Columia. There is a shop called Cycle Center in Columbia that is WAY cool and they give military people a 10% discount. The guy at my LBS isn't totally up to date with biking, and I have stood in the shop for 30 minutes before, while he talks about being scammed or something like that with someone on the phone before he helps me. A couple of guys say he doesn't have time to stay up to date with biking cuz his mom is sick or somehting like that. But the other day, he was talking about a bird hunt he was going on, and about all sorts of other stuff he was doing, while I was standing there waiting trying to ask questions about my fork. I was there FIRST too! Huh, I have had enough.

More bad news about my bike...It has is a 1 1/4 instead of 1 1/8. Anybody interested in a red 93 Fisher MT Tam with no fork?

Calm down. You can buy reducers so that a 1 1/8" will fit. They should be less than $10 you can find them on line also.

cool.

fubar - you should be able to get the reducer at www.thethirdhand.com

Thanks guys!!
I think I am going to get a Jett from pricepoint for 50 bucks. I know Jett is crap, but I gotto get my bike back in shape. I am going crazy.

If I get the Jett I will need a new headset, can I use any headset that is fit for 1 1/4? Or do I need to woryy about the stack hight? I notice that most online shops don't include stack hight measurements.

What would I look under for the reducer?

I would suggest contacting The Third Hand directly. There may be certain things you need to be aware of,such as a specific headset, when getting the reducer. Probably best to get the headset and the reducer together. If they can't help you, check www.sheldonbrown.com/harris, they should be able to set you up. Sorry I can't offer more help on this one, but I've never used the reducers myself.

As far as the fork goes, do what you have to do to get back on the trail.

Just checked Price Point and they have the reducers listed on their fork page, so I would call them direct. I know you are on a tight budget, but I would consider trying to scrape the extra dough together and get the Manitou Magnum for $79 or the Manitou Magnum R for $99. I think the little bit of extra money will buy you a much better fork. Good luck w/ it.

BTW, you do need to know the stack height, but since you are getting a new fork, you should be good to go, you'll probably need to cut the steerer anyway. Double check w/ PP when you place the order.

fubar, If you need a threadless style stem to make the switch let me know. I've got a 120mm Ritchey stem lying around that I would be happy to donate to your cause.

Thanks guys!!! I am hunting all around looking for money. I will get it !!!!

Is this what I am looking for?

"Chris King Crown Race Setting Sleeve 1 1/4''

No. This sounds like a description from the Third Hand catalog for a tool to install the King race (part of the headset that fits on the fork). King headsets need a special tool for this (of so they say! ). If you check under "forks" on Price Point, they have the adaptor listed, you can't miss it by the description. Third Hand does not seem to list it, although I am positive they can get it if they don't carry it.

Found it!!! I missed it a couple times. I will probably still need a 1 1/4 headset right?
I am no wrench....yet
I'm gonna try to get thr Magnum R, that seems to be the best fork within my short term/low price range.

Yes, because you need the 1 1/4" cups to fit in the frame. Good luck. BTW, for the ultimate low budget solution, Nashbar has their rigid MTB fork on sale for $29.99