Carbon steerer expanders/compression plug, etc.
 

I got a KORE components one from my local Performance Bike in a pinch, apparently they're single use items because (a) you have to tighten the NUTS off of 'em to get 'em to not slide in the tube, and (b) because of the torque needed to keep it in place in the tube the the poor metals they use on their hex headed adjuster for the expander, you end up stripping the hex head. :crap:

Any suggestions for these expanders/compression plugs/whatever you know them as? I see a Profile Design one has rubber feet that may grip the steerer tube better when compressing the head stack. Haven't seen any other ones come "highly" recommended.

Thanks all.

I ve got an extra Reynolds 1 1/8 compression plug you can have. Never had any problems.
Geoff

i've been using an FSA one that works as advertised. i don't know if i'd 'highly recommend' it, but it works without flash or bother.

Ritchey one, best there is.

Also BBB is excellent too.

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I have two of the Profile ones and unless they've changed them recently, they're hard plastic, not rubber. I found they didn't work well and they're in my donate to charity box.

Of the 5 or 6 types of expander plugs I have, the best are Reynolds.

I'm sure you know this but just in case I'll say it anyway. The only purpose of the compression plug is to preload the headset bearings until you've tightened the bolts on the stem. It's secondary purpose is to give the steerer tube a bit of support at the clamping point of the stem. If you're tightening the bejeesus out of it to hold the fork in place that's not what it's for.

Whenever I attempt to add the preload by tightening the cap (which is needed because the split lip ring isn't closing and I have lateral play in the steerer), the expander slips...and I have to crank on it some more. I tightened it once to test bar height and set the headset, and then once for final assembly...and once more to swap for a shorter stem, and it's completely stripped now. I'm gonna have to thread two nuts on it and tighten them against each other.

Geoff, you got PM. Thanks for the recommendations.

I like and use the Specialized expander plugs. They don't slip (you can see why), they support the steer tube against overtightened stems and they're quite cheap..$10msrp. The red plug is 22.3MM and the black is 24.4MM. Good stuff!

Never tried the Specialized but those do look good! Have to give them a try.

I think Easton has come up with the best solution. Their carbon forks are now internally threaded. I spoke to an Easton rep and he said that the threads fail at about 2500lbs of force. He said you will destroy the bearings before you damage the threads. I am really happy with installation and lack of slipping.

Geoff

+1 on the Easton forks. Has to be the best carbon steerer solution I've come across.

I epoxy in a composite plug with a steel nut. Tough and light.

have you tried carbon paste in the steerer?