Front Fork replacement

I have an old rigid Spesh Hard Rock Sport that I,ve just bought a new front sus fork for. How difficult is it to change the forks on an older bike? Should i take it to the bike shop and get it done properly or have ago myself? Its an old bike so I wouuld like to try it, even if i get it wrong.

Most of it straight forward.

However, the most difficult bits are:

1) Removing the crown race from your existing forks and fitting it to the new forks (unless its one of those split races which just slide off e.g FSA headsets use them I think).

2) Installing a new star fangled nut.

3) Cutting the steerer tube on the new fork. You can do this with a hacksaw or pipe cutter, just make sure it’s the same length as the fork your removing.

Bike shops use special tools to do this and it takes seconds, although that’s not to say that you can’t do it yourself.

Roy Pinks would prob charge you about £10 to do all the above so depends if you feel its more cost effective to spend £10 or spend time faffing around doing it yourself.

Let us know how you get on.

My DIY skills dont really match my enthusiasm Jase! I,ll more than likely have a go and then take it to be done professionally when I cock up. Everyone wins, I get to try and then pay more than I needed to because I,ve made things much harder, so the bike shop wins!! Will report back next week... thank god for plastic.

Yeah - putting the star fangled nut in is pretty much the hardest thing. Just could not get it straight when I did a fork a while back. There's probably a knack, but shouting at it doesn't seem to help.

The rest is fairly straight forward as long as you're gentle removing and replacing the crown race.

Tom

Tom, the shouting part was what I hoped would do the trick!! I,ve got two in-depth manuals and a dvd showing how this should be done and how easy it is. And everything is so clean in the dvd. anyway, got the spare room ready for tonight so here goes.

Tezza, I normall use an extra long 24mm socket. Put the star night on the top of the steerer, place the socket over the top, and give it a harder whack than you think it needs. If it does go in slightly skewiff, just tap the opposite side with a punch.

Nath, Sounds like a grand idea. I,m probably gonna hit it with a hammer at some stage!!! so best to do it with a purpose and not blind rage. Let you know how i got on, have fun at c-sands sunday.

Hi I can fit it for you I've got all the tools for the job in my home garage, including a star nut tool, if you would like some help?

Andy

Andy you got a head set clamp?

I might have. I might just use my bare hands and natural skill. . .

Andy, never got around to doing it this weekend, may try tonight so could be contacting you tomorrow!!! Weather was great so spent the weekend on the bike. Have you guys seen the bit of technical singletrack built into the plantation to the left of the rollercoaster start? Never noticed it before yesterday, went down it behind some gutsy chap who had walked it but not ridden it before yesterday. If anyone knows who built it they have done a brilliant job.

Yeah its hidden away quite well.

Jase, not so much anymore. Be fantastic when its dry, but sketchy first time in the wet. More of that would be nice.

Yes, that used to be REALLY knarly. There was a seesaw, a few nice drops, and a 20ft ladder platform drop thats was bonkers!! Had a go at the seesaw, managed to do it only with 2 guys supporting me either side!!!

Chaps, thanks for all your help. I now have a suspension fork (a nice cheap one) installed on my old Spesh. I ended up taking it to Evans who cut it to size, swapped the crown over and unexpectedly added a new star-bangled nut as well, all for 5 English pounds. Now just need to SS it and i,m sorted. Cheers for all your help, it went like a dream, which for me is worrying. I didnt even have to smash stuff with a sledgehammer!!!