schnee

I own a bike with an integrated headset (Giant Bowery). I got a spiffy non-integrated headset carbon fork that I'd like to put on the bike. Is this even do-able?

Next, the 'crown to axle' distance is about 1/2" shorter than the fork that came with the bike. I ride the XL frame (geometry), so it's got a 103.2" wheel base, and a seat angle of 73 degrees. Will that change in fork length adversely affect the geometry? If so, how badly?

So, is it do-able, or should I just hold that fork in the ol' parts bin for the future awesome bike I'm planning on instead?

(Aesthetically, I think it'll work pretty well. The bottom of the headset may look a bit 'apron-like' over the fork, but it's pretty beefy looking - it looks like this fork - so I don't think it'll look too bad.)

thurstonboise

I thought the forks were the same between Integrated and Press-in headsets. I always figured the crown race just needs to be pressed off of the old fork and on to the new one, as long as the steerer tube is the same diameter and type.

BostonFixed

No such thing exists.

Yes. It will install fine, but I can't comment on a possible handling change.

schnee

Oh, c'mon, you know what I mean. The top of the fork (below the steerer tube) doesn't flare out as much, so it visually doesn't seamlessly flow with the flared-out bottom of the steering tube on the bike.

BostonFixed

???

Confused again. There is no such thing as an integrated fork...forks are forks..don't really get all this flared out fork business...The looks of a fork certainly won't affect the function...


Steerer tube is on the fork, headtube is on the bike where the headset cups are installed.

schnee

Totally understand you on the 'looks won't affect function' now. Thanks for answering that question.

All I'm saying is forks that are paired with frames that have integrated headsets sometimes are visually different so they aesthetically match the bike... the top and bottom of a steerer tube on an integrated headset frame are wider at the top and bottom (sort of hourglass shaped), unlike a standard one which is a straight tube. If you look at the fork on the Bowery, it flares out at the top. Not all forks do that. Purely aesthetic thing.

transplant

forgive me if i'm wrong, but isn't that flare there exactly because the headset is integrated into the frame and not outside the headtube?

and you're not making sense... forks are either threadless or threaded.

vobopl

These forks are different. I have the inverse of your situation on my road bike. I had exactly your problem on my wife's bike. While on mine the o-ring between the lower headset cup and the fork rectified the situation, it was more difficult on my wife's bike( Trek 2300(?) + Ouzo Pro Aero fork) I needed to machine an adapter, otherwise the overhanging part of the cup was scratching the surface of the fork. The side effect was to extend the axle to headset distance, which was OK.


I can post pics when I get back home

Ocicat

Yes, forks are either threaded or threadless. But threadless forks (esp. carbon forks) may be designed for a bike with or without integrated headsets. See https://www.reynoldscomposites.com/en/Products-Forks.htm. Reynolds makes a standard and integrated version of their popular Ouzo Pro fork. "Integrated" forks exist largely because standard forks look just plain silly on a bike with an oversized headtube.

I've never heard of any issues doing what the OP plans on until now from vobopl, as the crown race should allow for clearance between the fork crown and headtube. So I'm curious to see the pictures from his bike to see what exactly he needed to do.

As far as whether changing the crown-to-axle dimension will change the handling, I'm not sure but I imagine a change of 1/2" would make a difference. Is the rake on the new fork the same as on the original? If so, then wouldn't the bike "lean" more forward than before, because of its shorter length? Effectively increasing both the seattube angle and headtube angle? Anyone have experience with this?

Learn_not2burn

ime to piggy-back another question: Is it possible to reuse the portion of the headset that you press onto a fork. I'd like to reuse me headset with a new frame, and am hoping I won't have to buy a new headset just because I can't reuse the pressed on piece.

lunacycle

Yes, this is possible. I had a bike shop do this once -- remove the crown race from the old fork and press it onto the new fork, and I've done this once at home using a cruder technique involving a claw hammer, a flat screwdriver, and a block of wood. I would recommend the bike shop route.