Steerer tube grime
 

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to keep grime from flying up the steerer tube if you can't fit fenders on the bike? This is for my "beater" road bike that gets the bad weather abuse. Cheers.

Duct-tape a small peice of plastic garbage bag over the hole?

I'd be more concerned about HS bearings - make sure to use enough grease to create a sorta seal between the cups. Same for pedals, BTW.

A brandy bottle cork fits quite well.

If its a steel fork you don't want to create a watertight seal in the bottom that traps any water that gets in through the top. It will promote rust in the steerer tube.

Lowes sells stoppers in cork and rubber...if you don't drink brandy.

hmmm - the bad weather beater has no fenders? you glutton for punishment you!

i like the Lizard Skin headset protector. keeps most junk out but breathes, no rust issues.

Thanks all. Lots of good ideas although the cork or stopper one seems to be the best fusion of elegance and convenience. The beater was not originally intended as such, right now its just the least expensive bike that works. It is also my favorite ride. Eventually I would like to get one bike that incorporates my preferred features (as soon as a figure out what they are). I'm not quite there yet but I do know that the ability to add fenders is one of the desired features.