Compression Plug Choices
03-11-13, 07:21 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Compression Plug Choices
After buying a new fork from an over tightened plug/stem on my old Giant. I am looking for a better plug. I do not like the FSA style now in both of my bikes. 
It doesnt have a large contact area like the Deda/Specialized style. 
This has a much bigger surface area. I am thinking this has to be better. Any thoughts? What are you using?
03-11-13, 07:36 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 2,504
Bikes: Speedvagen Steel
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 429 Post(s)
Liked 245 Times
in
156 Posts
I'm actually using a small one (13g) that I bought from fairwheel bikes. Made of carbon fiber and rubber no problem although I have less than 300 miles on it so far.
03-11-13, 08:14 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: S.E. Chester County PA
Posts: 602
Bikes: IF Ti Crown Jewel, Moots Mooto X RSL 29er, Fat Chance Yo Eddy, Lynskey Pro Cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
The compression plug is only needed to set the proper pre load on the headset which is very low ( 5 - 10 inch pounds). The compression plug need only be to be tight enough so not slip when when the pre load above is applied. After proper pre load has been set and stem bolts tightened to 5nm on a carbon steerer the compression plug could be removed if so desired. I also use the gummy compression plug from Fairwheel and given the very low torque settings required it works fine.
03-11-13, 08:26 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The compression plug is only needed to set the proper pre load on the headset which is very low ( 5 - 10 inch pounds). The compression plug need only be to be tight enough so not slip when when the pre load above is applied. After proper pre load has been set and stem bolts tightened to 5nm on a carbon steerer the compression plug could be removed if so desired. I also use the gummy compression plug from Fairwheel and given the very low torque settings required it works fine.
03-11-13, 09:15 PM
#6
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,238
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1407 Post(s)
Liked 634 Times
in
334 Posts
The compression plug is only needed to set the proper pre load on the headset which is very low ( 5 - 10 inch pounds). The compression plug need only be to be tight enough so not slip when when the pre load above is applied. After proper pre load has been set and stem bolts tightened to 5nm on a carbon steerer the compression plug could be removed if so desired. I also use the gummy compression plug from Fairwheel and given the very low torque settings required it works fine.
However, in my experience, the top cap does help hold the right tension on the headset, evena fter the stem bolts are tightened.
Our tandem has an alpha Q fork with a glued in sleeve to hold the star nut. Twice, the epoxy has lost its bond allowing the sleeve to pull up as you tighten the top cap.
Each time the headset has come loose over time, with the stem bolts tightend to spec, and using CF paste.
So while the theory is that the top cap is unecessary after the preload is set and stem bolts tightened, my experience is to the contrary.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
03-11-13, 09:36 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The compression plug is only needed to set the proper pre load on the headset which is very low ( 5 - 10 inch pounds). The compression plug need only be to be tight enough so not slip when when the pre load above is applied. After proper pre load has been set and stem bolts tightened to 5nm on a carbon steerer the compression plug could be removed if so desired. I also use the gummy compression plug from Fairwheel and given the very low torque settings required it works fine.
03-11-13, 10:19 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca
Posts: 6,681
Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
i've recently used one to extend a carbon steerer tube by about 2cm. thought it might serve as a reinforcing sleeve between the steerer and the 2cm extension. so far so good.
Last edited by hueyhoolihan; 03-11-13 at 10:24 PM.
03-11-13, 11:14 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,884
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I had my steerer cut at a shop. After several miles there was a creek in, what i thought was, the stem. Come to find out they over tightened the plug then when tightening the stem bolts it cracked the steerer around the plug. I thought with a larger plug the force from the stem would be more evenly distributed.
03-12-13, 12:10 AM
#10
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 825
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've used several and I also prefer the Specialized. It's cheap ($10) and expands in a circular fashion. I've also tried an FSA and a Speed Park. As they expand, they get less round and shaped more like a cloverleaf.
Bob
Bob
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Devansh101
Bicycle Mechanics
4
09-10-18 01:12 PM
Hapsmo911
Bicycle Mechanics
18
03-26-13 09:13 PM
Blue Motobecane
Bicycle Mechanics
3
12-09-12 06:05 PM
ThisJauntyGent
Bicycle Mechanics
18
06-28-12 03:15 PM
