forgewithinfire

I have a 2008 Surly CrossCheck and I am looking to extend the steering tube. The bike was sized too large and I had to modify some things to make it work with my body... don't ask. I am using a steering tube extender right now and it works, but I would like a cleaner, more professional solution.

I was thinking that a bit of Cromoly tubing of the same external diameter, but thicker walls, as the steering tube could be machined on a lathe to create a female end with the same outer diameter as the steering tube's inner diameter. All it would need is a brazing.

Do you guys think, considering the large surface area to be brazed, that brazing would be strong enough? I can do some lathe work myself but I don't know if it would be worth it to get a pro to do that, due to the exacting tolerances needed.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

CACycling

Probably be cheaper, easier and safer to either replace the steerer tube with a longer one or replace the fork.

forgewithinfire

No idea if I CAN replace the steering tube on that fork. I would like to keep the same fork since it matches the frame (and I love the color) but I have no clue as how to go about changing the steering tube. Can it be done?

HillRider

Can it be done? Yes. Is the cost worth it? Probably not. Why not contact Surly and see if a stock replacement fork is available?

forgewithinfire

Just did lol.

fietsbob

300mm is what many threadless forks start out at..

you can buy a tube stem riser, they wedge clamp a quill inside,
the tube was rolled down on one end, to be Od of the Id of the steerer.
the top is 9/8" Od, so the stem clamps on OK,
I'd use an expansion plug for the top, so you can still get to the quill bolt.

a skilled machine shop could do the machine work, if you wanted the braze job
to have it all straight, to extend your fork steerer.

but the many thousands of dollars tied up in equipping and running a machine shop
need to be paid for, by the job, so it will likely be as much as buying a new imported
Taiwan made fork.

have you asked about the bike shop ordering another Surly fork from QBP, the importer.
perhaps they stock the color they had the bikes made in, back, when you got yours.

forgewithinfire

I did speak with Surly, I'm just going to stick with the steering tube extender right now until I speak with a machine shop. The 300mm isn't enough length so buying a new fork doesn't help. It may not be a pretty solution, but it works. I'm in Cleveland so finding a machine shop isn't hard at all and would be worth the wait. It would be nice to do the work myself but if the tolerances have to be what I think they are, ehh, I will get a quote and see how much. Thanks for the advice guys.

Camilo

This is odd when you say you're having this trouble because the frame is too big. Usually unusual adaptations (like the steer tube extender) are needed because the frame is too small, making the head tube too small.

In case you aren't aware, they make high rise stems too. Steer tube extender + high rise stem = a lot of rise!

Good luck with your project.