robertmccormack

I want to mount an ENVE carbon fork with a tapered steerer tube 28.5mm (1 1/8")-- 39.8mm (1 1/2") in my straight Columbus Spirit HSS head tube, inner diameter 44mm. This isn't normal practice, but the buzz on the 'net is that the White Industries EC44 headset will do the job. Does anyone run this combination, or know of someone who does?

I live in Europe and nobody here sells the expensive ENVE model I want, so I want to be sure this works before I buy it from the U.S.

veganbikes

If you get the right headset you can run a tapered steerer tube in a 44mm straight head tube, that is the whole idea of that standard you can run straight 1 1/8 or tapered stuff.

Most headset manufactures have a bunch of different ones for different needs so again as long as you get the correct one. You will be fine. You can check with WI and they can likely help out (say hi to Lynette for me...LOL) and if nothing else Cane Creek or Chris King can also be of assistance and also make some great headsets. Give them the measurements of everything and then they can help make sure you get the right combo and bingo, bango, bongo you are riding a sweet new headset with a cool Enve fork on what could be a pretty neat-o bike.

robertmccormack

Thanks for the info, Veganbikes.

" I gotta be crazy, I'm on a pilgrimage to see a moose!"

veganbikes

No worries, I too ordered the Arctic Blue Sports Wagon with the optional rally fun pack ; )

robertmccormack

My head tube has an inner diameter of 43.8mm. On the White Industries web page it says the inner diameter of the head tube should be a minimum of 43.95mm in order for the ZS44/EC44 headset to fit.

Is the small size difference significant? Will the headset fit? What’s your educated guess? Btw, I won’t buy anything based solely on your answer, I’ll be contacting WI soon.

dsaul

Did you build this frame? 43.8mm is the unfinished size of the internal diameter. It is meant to be reamed to 43.95 after building.

It is very common to use a tapered steerer fork in a 44mm head tube and a number of headset brands make headset cups that will make it work. I use Cane Creek headsets for all of the frames that I build. You need an EC44/40 lower headset and a ZS44/28.6 upper headset.

robertmccormack

Hi dsaul, Thanks. No, I didn't build my frame, a pro did and I'm sure he reamed the head tube out. Ill be checking out Cane Creek!