Extending a forks head tube
#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
#4
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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.
#5
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No. Don't even think of doing this. Just don't.
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#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.
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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.
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+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.
#9
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In another word, no.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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“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
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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.
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Hehehe, yeah, you might find a better reception over at the Alt Bike Culture forum

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#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.