FSA Compressor on carbon fork with alloy steerer
04-06-09, 09:56 AM
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FSA Compressor on carbon fork with alloy steerer
My LBS installed my new 1" carbon fork with alloy steerer with an FSA Compressor rather than a 1" star nut since they didn't have any in the shop. They assured me that there would be no problem with this setup on an alloy steerer, but typically isn't 1" steerer diameter OD, and don't carbon steerers have a much smaller ID than their alloy counterparts? Should I be worried about the compression plug slipping or does it not matter whether you use a star nut or compression plug in an alloy steerer?
04-06-09, 10:41 AM
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Doesn't matter - the star nut is just cheaper and lighter. Besides, you are only using it to preload the headset, once you tighten the stem that is what will maintain the load on the bearings.
04-06-09, 11:10 AM
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I've got a couple of FSA plugs and both will barely expand to the .950 inch ID of my 1-1/8" carbon steering tubes. They would not expand to the larger ID of a 1-1/8" steel or aluminum steerer. A 1" steel or aluminum steerer would have about the right diameter for this plug.
04-06-09, 12:00 PM
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I used the Profile expander in a 1" steel steerer as a temporary measure until I got the steerer length dialed in and it worked fine. Once I cut the steerer to it's final length I drove in a star nut as a permanant fixture.
The expanders are essential in most carbon steerers but are an unnecessary expense and weight in a steel or aluminum steerer.
The expanders are essential in most carbon steerers but are an unnecessary expense and weight in a steel or aluminum steerer.
