wrench again: Alpha Q Z-Pro fork glued in insert

[eddief]

those of you who have worked with these forks and their proprietary star nut insert thing. this is the Z-Pro model with extra thick carbon steerer tube = less internal diameter.

1. what is the length of the insert?
2. is the star nut integrated into the insert, or does the insert accept a normal star nut?

i have a slightly used fork with insert glued in. steerer is too long and i want to know if i can cut steerer along with aluminum insert, part way, and then insert a new star nut.

make sense?

[riceburner]

The star nut is already part of the insert. See below from Alpha Q:

Q: Can I resize my carbon steerer fork after the insert has been installed?
A: Yes, you can remove up to 2 cm of steerer after the installation of the insert.

http://www.alphaqbike.com/performance_tubing/faq_s.asp

[jeduardo]

Hi,

1.) I am not too sure on the original insert length, but I'm thinking right around 100mm (my custom one was machined/milled at 125mm).
2.) Original Alpha insert had star nut integrated/installed in the insert prior to gluing it into fork steer tube

I just had to cut an NOS Alpha Q GS 30 carbon fork steer tube w/star nut insert pre-installed, because it was included with my brother's 58cm frame. Since True Temper/Alpha Q doesn't manufacture their OE inserts anymore, if you cut fork, you have to use some type of a custom aluminum insert for the fork. I had my aluminum insert made by my local VT custom frame builder (FTW Industries) for like $50 and a fresh deli sandwich.
I learned of a New England (cape Cod) shop named Corner Cycle that used to have these same type of inserts produced so you may be able to get one HERE (http://www.cornercycle.com/custom_carbon_fork_insert.htm)

Below are pics of the NE shop's insert, the one I had made is similar but longer and slightly more refined (used JB Weld to glue in)


those of you who have worked with these forks and their proprietary star nut insert thing:

1. what is the length of the insert?
2. is the star nut integrated into the insert, or does the insert accept a normal star nut?

i have a slightly used fork with insert glued in. steerer is too long and i want to know if i can cut steerer along with aluminum insert, part way, and then insert a new star nut.

make sense?

[eddief]

thanks for the response. when i look down into the insert on my fork, it looks as though there is a normal star nut hammered in.

if that is the case, is there some reason i can't cut the steerer/insert down below that star nut and insert another star nut further down?

Hi,

1.) I am not too sure on the original insert length, but I'm thinking right around 100mm (my custom one was machined/milled at 125mm).
2.) Original Alpha insert had star nut integrated/installed in the insert prior to gluing it into fork steer tube

I just had to cut an NOS Alpha Q GS 30 carbon fork steer tube w/star nut insert pre-installed, because it was included with my brother's 58cm frame. Since True Temper/Alpha Q doesn't manufacture their OE inserts anymore, if you cut fork, you have to use some type of a custom aluminum insert for the fork. I had my aluminum insert made by my local VT custom frame builder (FTW Industries) for like $50 and a fresh deli sandwich.
I learned of a New England (cape Cod) shop named Corner Cycle that used to have these same type of inserts produced so you may be able to get one HERE (http://www.cornercycle.com/custom_carbon_fork_insert.htm)

Below are pics of the NE shop's insert, the one I had made is similar but longer and slightly more refined (used JB Weld to glue in)

[Dave]

thanks for the response. when i look down into the insert on my fork, it looks as though there is a normal star nut hammered in.

if that is the case, is there some reason i can't cut the steerer/insert down below that star nut and insert another star nut further down?


As already noted, the length of the tube is only long enough to allow the star nut to be pushed down about 20mm. Some of the tubes have a reduced diameter near the bottom, so the star not can't go any lower. Others don't have that restriction at the bottom, so the star nut can be pushed out of the tube, to rattle at the bottom of the steerer.

If you remove 100mm, then the entire tube would be left in the cutoff. Anything in between may leave a worthless portion of the tube. If you're real careful, it might be possible to remove it, but that depends on the glue job. The factory sends a small package of glue with the tube that is totally inadequate to fill the space between tube and steerer. If that's all the glue used, there may be little in some areas.

When I installed one of these tubes, I use a large amount of JB Weld epoxy. That support tube will never be removed.

I've made my own glue-in substitutes for star nuts and/or expanding plugs. A 5mm or 6mm thread insert with some epoxy putty around it can be glued in permanently.

[eddief]

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=7176&category=1695

[Dave]

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=7176&category=1695


That type of plug should never be used in an Alpha-Q fork. The aluminum tube should extend from the top of the steerer to at least 10mm below the bottom of the upper headset bearing. The Alpha-Q steerer is much thinner walled than most brands and the support tube is a must to avoid breaking the steering tube. Standard expanding plugs won't expand far enough to grip the ID of the steering tube, due to the larger ID.

[eddief]

supposedly has extra thick walls and no limit on headset spacers...so you may be at least partially mistaken. not saying that using their insert is not the best approach, but thinking risk here is minimal to none.

That type of plug should never be used in an Alpha-Q fork. The aluminum tube should extend from the top of the steerer to at least 10mm below the bottom of the upper headset bearing. The Alpha-Q steerer is much thinner walled than most brands and the support tube is a must to avoid breaking the steering tube. Standard expanding plugs won't expand far enough to grip the ID of the steering tube, due to the larger ID.

[eddief]

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BZ5FBZr6Vj7osCCbv2KuoQ?feat=directlink

[cmg]

when i was searching for a glue insert for a Alpha q fork i was planning on buying and i came across this http://www.amazon.com/3T-Funda-Bicycle-Steer-Insert/dp/images/B002S113X2 the 3T funda fork use a glue insert as well. not sure if the diameter will work on an alpha fork, doubt it, for proprietary legal reasons. remember it's important to have the insert go pass the top bearing of the headset for any kind of strenght on the steerer.