Extending a forks head tube
04-19-10, 08:05 PM
#1
my nice bike is at home
Thread Starter
Extending a forks head tube
extending a forks head tube,
say I have a particular fork with an aluminum head tube, too short, Is it possible to extend the head tube by adding a new piece of same-size tube?
Perhaps with an inner sleeve-tube and a spot weld or adhesive?
Thanks
Jt
say I have a particular fork with an aluminum head tube, too short, Is it possible to extend the head tube by adding a new piece of same-size tube?
Perhaps with an inner sleeve-tube and a spot weld or adhesive?
Thanks
Jt
04-19-10, 08:16 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Montreal
Posts: 6,521
Bikes: Peugeot Hybrid, Minelli Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Possible if the joint is between the headset bearings but probably more expensive than a new fork
04-19-10, 08:48 PM
#3
I have senior moments...
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Woodside, CA
Posts: 2,151
Bikes: Many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
If you mean aluminum steerer, no IMHO but then I wouldn't want to extend any steerer, even steel.
04-19-10, 09:07 PM
#4
Frankenbiker
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 26
Bikes: The Main Three: Dahon Boardwalk S1 , Texas Tall - Bike , Trek 7.2 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Depends on what you're trying to do.... Tell us more info on your project.
I was able to extend a fork for my tall-bike by welding an extension tube (a thin tube that fit inside the top of the fork, about the same diameter as the handlebar stem) into the fork, cutting off the top of another fork, and welding that to the other end of the extension tube. This gave me a very long fork that had threads at the top for the headset bearings.
Now, if you don't have a very long headtube and all you want to do is heighten your tube to have a higher handlebar, I would recommend extending your handlebar-stem instead of the the fork itself.
Again, it really depends on what your specific goals are.
I was able to extend a fork for my tall-bike by welding an extension tube (a thin tube that fit inside the top of the fork, about the same diameter as the handlebar stem) into the fork, cutting off the top of another fork, and welding that to the other end of the extension tube. This gave me a very long fork that had threads at the top for the headset bearings.
Now, if you don't have a very long headtube and all you want to do is heighten your tube to have a higher handlebar, I would recommend extending your handlebar-stem instead of the the fork itself.
Again, it really depends on what your specific goals are.
04-19-10, 09:23 PM
#5
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,470 Times
in
1,435 Posts
No. Don't even think of doing this. Just don't.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
04-19-10, 11:52 PM
#6
Senior Member
Not a good idea for numerous reasons. If you want to do it in a mechanically safe way, it would cost way more than buying a new fork.
04-20-10, 01:07 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,688
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1074 Post(s)
Liked 295 Times
in
222 Posts
Well, there are steerer tube extenders: https://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/bbb-a...r-id21879.html
There might possibly be issues if the inner diameter of your steerer tube is off, but otherwise they seem too be made for this very purpose.
They will quite handily allow you to use aheadset stems together with a threaded fork too.
There might possibly be issues if the inner diameter of your steerer tube is off, but otherwise they seem too be made for this very purpose.
They will quite handily allow you to use aheadset stems together with a threaded fork too.
04-20-10, 01:20 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,437
Bikes: NOYB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
+1
Even if you can weld an extension onto your existing steerer tube, you're foolish to do it. You're risking your life by cheaping out. And I don't care if some people have done it and haven't died as a result... yet. It's just stupid and dangerous.
Even if you can weld an extension onto your existing steerer tube, you're foolish to do it. You're risking your life by cheaping out. And I don't care if some people have done it and haven't died as a result... yet. It's just stupid and dangerous.
04-20-10, 07:20 AM
#9
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,470 Times
in
1,435 Posts
In another word, no.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
04-20-10, 07:48 AM
#10
Frankenbiker
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 26
Bikes: The Main Three: Dahon Boardwalk S1 , Texas Tall - Bike , Trek 7.2 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hehehe, yeah, you might find a better reception over at the Alt Bike Culture forum 
04-20-10, 08:00 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
04-20-10, 09:24 AM
#12
my nice bike is at home
Thread Starter
I need a 20" carbon Fork with a 30 cm aluminum one inch head tube for a folding 'Twenty'. They just don't exist.. 260 cm and lesser... yes....
I think it could be done safely with steel, (but Al is not easy...)
I will keep looking for an existing product out there.
I think it could be done safely with steel, (but Al is not easy...)
I will keep looking for an existing product out there.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Shutter
Classic & Vintage
28
03-02-12 09:00 AM
