Have you got a star nut for the top of the fork.? You can reuse the old one if the steerer tube is the same diameter all the way down which will allow you to knock the old one all the way through. To fit the star nut, screw in a bolt and tap the star nut down into the fork by a about CM.

Can I reuse a Crown race?

yes tap carefully, and it’ll come off fine.

How far down should star nut go?

Star Nut Installation with TNS-1 The TNS places the nut about 15mm (9/16″) below the top of the steering column. This allows the adjusting bolt to thread fully into the nut for adjustment pre-load. It can also help maintain alignment to use the stem as an alignment guide.

What is a fork crown race?

There is a crown race installed at the base of your fork’s steerer tube – a crown race is an angled surface, or race, that interfaces with the bottom bearing.

What does a bike star nut do?

The star fangled nut — or ‘star nut’, as it’s known — is pressed into the steerer tube and allows the fork and headset components to be pulled into place in the frame’s head tube. If you have a new fork or have just cut down your steerer tube, you may need to fit a new star nut.

Can you use a star nut on carbon forks?

Never use a star nut with a carbon steerer tube fork (Figure 7). Star nuts can only be used with aluminum steerer tube forks. Use only a compression device designed for carbon steerers.

Do new forks come with a star nut?

Typically forks do not come with a star nut. New headsets do, though. Your LBS should have a new star nut for you to shove in there.

How do you clean a Crown race?

Place a small flat bladed screwdriver between the crown and the race and turn it gently by about 1/16 of a circle (about 20 degrees). Repeat this all the way around, making the full circle in 8 to 10 “pokes”. When rotating the screwdriver, the race should be lifted by far less than 1 mm. Go gently, patiently.

Do rockshox forks come with Starnut?

Nope. Normally with the headset.

Do I need to replace Crown race?

The new frame’s headset should come with a crown race. It’s best to use the crown race that comes with the headset. They help keep stuff from penetrating the bearing seals if they fit together nicely. Also the angle of the beveled edges on the bearings might be diff.

Article first time published on

What size star nut do I need?

– To check which size you need, measure the internal diameter of your steerer and choose a star nut that’s between 1mm and 3mm larger than that size.

How do you use a threadless nut setter?

The Threadless Nut Setter is used to install star-fangled nuts found on threadless headset systems. Thread the nut onto the TNS-1, insert into the fork stack, and tap it in with a hammer. Sets the starfangled nut to 15mm and keeps it straight. Long handle helps prevent pinched fingers.

Can I use any Crown race?

so long as the angle of the contact patch is the same they should be fine. My only concern would be that even if the difference on size is 1 or 2 mm or it is a slightly different shape it could result in excessive wear on the headset. For all it takes to change it I would just do it.

What is a split Crown race?

Headsets that use a split crown race also use cartridge bearings. The race is really just a seating ring for the cartridge. The preload on the headset makes the split conical ring grip the fork. Since the steering torque goes into turning the wheel, there’s no reason for the ring to twist.

Is Crown race necessary?

Without a crown race, the bottom headset bearing will become bound to the steerer tube base after torquing. … Another function of the crown race is to keep dirt and debris from infiltrating the headset internals. When dirt gets inside the headset, steering will feel notchy and abrasive.

How do you push down a star nut?

I just unscrew the bolt from the topcap the amount you want the star nut pushed down. Then just use a hammer to tap the bolt down flat on the topcap. This will push the starnut down, and keep it straight while doing it.

How tight should a star nut be?

Just snug it up. The tighten the stem bolts, but not enough to deform the steerer tube. The top cap will not hold on the stem/handlebars.

What does a headset top cap do?

The top cap is used to properly set preload on the bearings before you tighten the stem pinch bolts. After that it’s only function is as an added safety in case the stem loosens up or you haven’t cut the steerer tube down and are running around with a stack of spacers above the stem.

Are expensive MTB Forks worth it?

High end forks handle everything better than a cheaper fork. More support throughout the travel, less spiking and a more supple ride. Cheaper forks will be a bit harsher, or may not be able to handle the impacts as well. They may not have compression or rebound dampening.

What is a steerer on a bike?

A bicycle fork is the part of a bicycle that holds the front wheel. … Above the crown, a steerer tube attaches the fork to the bicycle and the handlebars (via a stem) allowing the rider to steer the bicycle.

How many spacers should a headset have?

Generally, most bikes have 20 to 30mm of headset spacers that can be moved freely above or below the stem.