Need replacement fork
#1
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Need replacement fork
The main choice i see is the Soma lugged track fork. looks like a nice fork and its not outrageously priced. Google searching isn't proving to be the most helpful. I would like to not buy it simply because it's the only one i saw, but it seems like that may be my only option thus far.
I'm open to getting a used fork as well, but I am not the most fond of Ebay. And i dont know any one locally that might have something like this. any BF members local to Orange County CA that might have a fork i can buy?
I'm open to getting a used fork as well, but I am not the most fond of Ebay. And i dont know any one locally that might have something like this. any BF members local to Orange County CA that might have a fork i can buy?
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#2
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forgot to mention my bike!
its for a late 70's Raleigh Competition
its for a late 70's Raleigh Competition
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#3
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In case a suitable replacement Raleigh fork pops up, what's the length of your current steerer tube? Frame size?
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'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
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Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
#4
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53cm frame, I wanna say it was 160mm steerer
thank you
thank you
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#6
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Thread Starter
yes the electra fork has been suggested to me. but it was also pointed out that there is much more of a bend in that fork, usually better paired with a relaxed head tube angle. also it is a cut to length steerer that appears to be chromed as well, which could also be a problem for getting the threads cut. aside from those reasons though I do actually really like that fork, especially the sale price.
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#7
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Did a search for "Reynolds 531 fork" on the bay, and came up with this (though the 531 decal looks odd):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Reynolds-531...item3cd155a602
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Reynolds-531...item3cd155a602
#9
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Did a search for "Reynolds 531 fork" on the bay, and came up with this (though the 531 decal looks odd):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Reynolds-531...item3cd155a602
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Reynolds-531...item3cd155a602
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Last edited by RALEIGH_COMP; 05-15-13 at 09:54 AM.
#10
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Why do you need a fork? Did you check you LBSs? With a 53cm frame it is a good bet they have a decent used for in stock.
Bike nashbar should have something.
Bike nashbar should have something.
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#11
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The suggestion of having a new steerer brazed in and/or having the fork checked out by a framebuilder is a good one. I had Chris Kvale in the Twin Cities build up the crown race seat on my Raleigh RRA fork over the winter. That ran around $70 plus shipping. I did not have him paint it, but did so myself and it matched pretty well and so far is holding up just fine. The fork crown lug and part way down the blades needed repainting from this, which I would think would be a similar level of paint damage to what you need to have done. There is always the chance that once it is looked at by someone qualified, it might be deemed fine.
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^From the OP's previous thread:
I still think a new steerer (and maybe an oxalic acid bath for the blades) is the best option, but to each his own.
If I were in your shoes, I would still explore the option of having the steerer tube replaced by a local framebuilder. Surely there is someone in the greater L.A. area that could do it for a reasonable cost--perhaps around the same cost as a replacement fork. Then you still have the appropriate fork for your frame with the same rake, fork crown, etc. Even if you have to repaint the fork, the flat black shouldn't be too hard to match, and maybe it would just be the crown that would need repainting.
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'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
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Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
#14
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Thread Starter
LOL well i guess i'm getting the Soma fork. I appreciate the other suggestions, and i always can have this fork repaired at some point. too bad no one else has really heard of some good brands that produce a similar fork.
If this is a recessed brake mount, will it be a problem to run my older style calipers? could i just use a normal nut and washer?
If this is a recessed brake mount, will it be a problem to run my older style calipers? could i just use a normal nut and washer?
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just use a large washer(s) that covers the recess hole and you should be fine...worst case you might have to trim the edge(s) of the washer to get both coverage and clearance, I have done this with vise grips (important to keep a grip!) on a bench grinder. Wear eye protection.
#18
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#19
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i looked at the Rivbike site and saw the spacer you speak of, looks perfect. I'll have to go down to the hardware store and see if i can find a match when my fork comes in.
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LOL well i guess i'm getting the Soma fork. I appreciate the other suggestions, and i always can have this fork repaired at some point. too bad no one else has really heard of some good brands that produce a similar fork.
If this is a recessed brake mount, will it be a problem to run my older style calipers? could i just use a normal nut and washer?
If this is a recessed brake mount, will it be a problem to run my older style calipers? could i just use a normal nut and washer?
just use a large washer(s) that covers the recess hole and you should be fine...worst case you might have to trim the edge(s) of the washer to get both coverage and clearance, I have done this with vise grips (important to keep a grip!) on a bench grinder. Wear eye protection.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#21
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Thread Starter
i like the idea of the old recessed nut. might be able to score one for next to nothing, its pretty much what it was designed for too. any one want to have pity on someone who just probably paid waay too much for a fork and send me an old recessed brake nut?
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#22
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I'll dig around and if I have a spare nut (!) I'll mail it to you, RALEIGH_COMP. double
#23
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haha I appreciate anyone letting me use one of their nuts(!) punny business aside, thank you for checking.
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These get used a lot around here:
[h=1]Sunlite 27" x 1-1/4" Econo Fork Threaded length 3-15/16", 1" OD, Chrome, Non-Canti[/h]
If you scroll down the linked Amazon page, you'll see a buncha other
Sunlite forks in various configurations and sizes. They are not as good
as a lot of the original equipment, but they are pretty good forks for the price.
Mostly, I think it's probably a little heavier than your original fork.
I forget if your bike was set up for 27 or 700c, but I think they make both.
Here's the Cromolly version:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-LW-CrM...s=sunlite+fork
[h=1]Sunlite 27" x 1-1/4" Econo Fork Threaded length 3-15/16", 1" OD, Chrome, Non-Canti[/h]
If you scroll down the linked Amazon page, you'll see a buncha other
Sunlite forks in various configurations and sizes. They are not as good
as a lot of the original equipment, but they are pretty good forks for the price.
Mostly, I think it's probably a little heavier than your original fork.
I forget if your bike was set up for 27 or 700c, but I think they make both.
Here's the Cromolly version:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-LW-CrM...s=sunlite+fork
Last edited by 3alarmer; 05-18-13 at 12:26 AM.
#25
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Thread Starter
wow those are really cheap! A forum member has told me that getting some one to thread a chrome steerer can be difficult. I would likely need it to be shortened, as i am only seeing it in the 200mm length. but still even with some labor fees, this fork is way less $$$ than the soma. I am curious about the soma though, supposed to be pretty good. and i ride my bike quite a bit so I wanted something on the nicer side. I'm sure the sunlites are not bad either, but i just wanted a lil' somehtin' more. hope its lighter/ stiffer etc., no more eyelets, but i can live with that.
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