Fork transfer 54 to 56 cm frame: odds of success?
03-07-22, 09:52 AM
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Fork transfer 54 to 56 cm frame: odds of success?
Anyone know offhand the minimum fork steerer tube length for a 56cm frame? I have a fork in a 54cm frame I can measure. Not in possession of the 56cm frame, but I may purchase it. It is 1000+ miles away.
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
03-07-22, 09:54 AM
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Getting a measurement of the new frame’s head tube length and comparing it to yours would be the best bet. If you have extra spacers in your current headset that will give you some wiggle room too. This is assuming the 2 frames use the same headset interface.
03-07-22, 10:02 AM
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depends also on what headset they were designed for use with
a Chris King for example needs a lot of steerer while a Stronglight P3 needs several mm's less
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depends also on what headset they were designed for use with
a Chris King for example needs a lot of steerer while a Stronglight P3 needs several mm's less
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03-07-22, 10:20 AM
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The highest stack headsets I've used are Campy Record. The lowest was a Chris King I just traded away in January. I'm thinking the difference between the two was maybe 12-15mm. I'm not sure if that's enough to make up for the head tube length difference.
Other than the 54's fork being from a bike with a Campy high-stack headset, and using a low stack headset on the 56, I'm not very sure of your likelihood of success.
The Innicycle headset/stem adapter will likely reach down into that 56's head tube and grab that 54's fork. I've done it.
Other than the 54's fork being from a bike with a Campy high-stack headset, and using a low stack headset on the 56, I'm not very sure of your likelihood of success.
The Innicycle headset/stem adapter will likely reach down into that 56's head tube and grab that 54's fork. I've done it.
03-07-22, 10:29 AM
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I'm thinking it's going to be very low probability. A good frame builder might be able to either replace the steerer tube on the 54's fork or cut the steerer tube and braze an extension. I've seen both options discussed in different threads. I'm looking at potentially using a fork from a 57 in a 58 and those look like my best options if I need to swap out my current fork.
If it's not a matching fork, or a special fork, I would just look for a close enough match.
If it's not a matching fork, or a special fork, I would just look for a close enough match.
03-07-22, 10:33 AM
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I'm thinking it's going to be very low probability. A good frame builder might be able to either replace the steerer tube on the 54's fork or cut the steerer tube and braze an extension. I've seen both options discussed in different threads. I'm looking at potentially using a fork from a 57 in a 58 and those look like my best options if I need to swap out my current fork.
If it's not a matching fork, or a special fork, I would just look for a close enough match.
If it's not a matching fork, or a special fork, I would just look for a close enough match.
Steerer tubes on production frames are "just the right length". If both forks are from the same production make, model and year, the fork for a 56cm frame will be about 2cm longer than for a 54.
Also, head tube lengths vary from one make and model to another even if they have the exact same seat tube length (which is how classic diamond frames are typically measured).
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03-07-22, 11:34 AM
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Thanks for the replies so far. I figured stack height would have some bearing (no pun intended) on steerer tube length, and I’m aware most tubes are cut to match, but my headset has several spacers, so I’m hoping for wiggle room. I may ask the seller to measure the head tube. It’s the same bike frame and year, even color (!) just different in size. He’s selling the frame only.
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
03-07-22, 02:20 PM
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If the buyer isn't willing to measure the head tube (with +/- 1mm accuracy), pass. Otherwise give me a PM and we can discuss building you a custom fork
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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03-07-22, 05:10 PM
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I'd be willing to bet cash money, and give you very good odds that your fork from a smaller frame won't work on the same model and year with a 2cm taller frame. The head tubes are most likely 2cm difference in height.
If the buyer isn't willing to measure the head tube (with +/- 1mm accuracy), pass. Otherwise give me a PM and we can discuss building you a custom fork
If the buyer isn't willing to measure the head tube (with +/- 1mm accuracy), pass. Otherwise give me a PM and we can discuss building you a custom fork
Can you make me a reasonable Ciocc-style fork for a 58cm frame?
The last time I checked, the Pellizolis (sp) would make one new for around $300.
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
Last edited by horatio; 03-07-22 at 05:15 PM.
03-07-22, 05:26 PM
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My Ciocc Competition is an orphan. It came with a Tange fork, correct for the frame size, but nothing like the original. I don't need another orphan frame, so I'll just pass on this one.
Can you make me a reasonable Ciocc-style fork for a 58cm frame? The last time I checked, the Pellizolis (sp) would make one new for around $300.
Can you make me a reasonable Ciocc-style fork for a 58cm frame?
The last time I checked, the Pellizolis (sp) would make one new for around $300.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
