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Steer-tube expander plug

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Steer-tube expander plug

Old 02-02-23, 11:29 PM
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Steer-tube expander plug

Can someone direct me to where I might find an extended expander plug for the '21-22 Trek Emonda? I contacted Trek and they said they don't produce such an item, and I haven't found any aftermarket options. This model of Emonda seems to have a proprietary expander plug shape, due to the inner shape of the steer tube.
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Old 02-02-23, 11:50 PM
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What's an extended expander plug, and what do you use it for?
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Old 02-03-23, 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Kontact
What's an extended expander plug, and what do you use it for?
my bad: steer tube expander plug
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Old 02-03-23, 07:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Spandex_fairy
my bad: steer tube expander plug
According to these instructions:
https://trek.scene7.com/is/content/T...L_SLR_USEN.pdf

You need one of these ordinary round expander plugs:
https://trek.scene7.com/is/image/TrekBicycleProducts/BontragerHeadsetExpanderPlugandTopCap_26266_A_Primary?$responsive-pjpg$&cache=on,on&wid=1440&hei=1080

As shown in this photo:
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Old 02-03-23, 10:02 AM
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Thanks, but I I found that diagram previously. I don't see where in the instructions that it says a regular expander plug can be used. The internal shape of the steer tube is not round; it's more like a rounded triangle. It comes with a propriety plug; it's unique to this specific bike.
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Old 02-03-23, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Spandex_fairy
my bad: steer tube expander plug
No need to apologize it was obvious what you meant. Someone was just being a scold.
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Old 02-03-23, 10:14 AM
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Wait, what? Trek does not produce a compression plug that's not round and that they put factory on their bikes and were unable to help?

How the hell does it end up in there then? Trek:

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Old 02-03-23, 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Atlas Shrugged
No need to apologize it was obvious what you meant. Someone was just being a scold.
No, I was asking because I thought he might have been talking about a steerer tube extender.
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Old 02-03-23, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Spandex_fairy
Thanks, but I I found that diagram previously. I don't see where in the instructions that it says a regular expander plug can be used. The internal shape of the steer tube is not round; it's more like a rounded triangle. It comes with a propriety plug; it's unique to this specific bike.
Than there may have been a misunderstanding. Call them back or go to a Trek dealer. Its possible they are out of stock, but the part must exist.
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Old 02-03-23, 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Spandex_fairy
Thanks, but I I found that diagram previously. I don't see where in the instructions that it says a regular expander plug can be used. The internal shape of the steer tube is not round; it's more like a rounded triangle. It comes with a propriety plug; it's unique to this specific bike.
Did you get the fork with no expander? If no, what happened to the old one? Do you have a picture?
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Old 02-03-23, 12:15 PM
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FYI, I found on weightweenies what looks like the Emonda with its expander plug:




Sure enough, it's not round.

Why make a not-round steer tube, Trek?
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Old 02-03-23, 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
FYI, I found on weightweenies what looks like the Emonda with its expander plug:




Sure enough, it's not round.

Why make a not-round steer tube, Trek?
Usually, to make room for internal cables to get past the headset bearing.
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Old 02-03-23, 03:38 PM
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I decided to cut the steer-tube since no such extended plug exists. Trek also requires the use of their proprietary stem- or so I found out. I brought my bike in to have the steer tube cut and they saw my zipp sl speed stem (cf). They told me I have to use a Bontrager stem, otherwise I risk the possibility of sheering it off. The Bontrager stem bolts at an angle. According to them it spreads the clamping load. They told me a story about a co-worker that it happened to, and that Trek has issued a notice concerning the matter.
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Old 02-03-23, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Spandex_fairy
I decided to cut the steer-tube since no such extended plug exists. Trek also requires the use of their proprietary stem- or so I found out. I brought my bike in to have the steer tube cut and they saw my zipp sl speed stem (cf). They told me I have to use a Bontrager stem, otherwise I risk the possibility of sheering it off. The Bontrager stem bolts at an angle. According to them it spreads the clamping load. They told me a story about a co-worker that it happened to, and that Trek has issued a notice concerning the matter.
On other bikes with similar steerers they provide filler pieces to give the stem something round to clamp to.

Welcome to proprietary design.
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Old 02-04-23, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Kontact
Welcome to proprietary design.
Ya... pretty annoying, but if I knew in advance, I'd still buy it!
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Old 02-07-23, 07:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Spandex_fairy
I decided to cut the steer-tube since no such extended plug exists. Trek also requires the use of their proprietary stem- or so I found out. I brought my bike in to have the steer tube cut and they saw my zipp sl speed stem (cf). They told me I have to use a Bontrager stem, otherwise I risk the possibility of sheering it off. The Bontrager stem bolts at an angle. According to them it spreads the clamping load. They told me a story about a co-worker that it happened to, and that Trek has issued a notice concerning the matter.
What a capricious bike you have there!
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