Typically, you should buy a framset complete with its fork, but it may happen that you’d like swapping your stock fork with something more exciting in a different color or in a chrome finish, or because you are simply restoring an old bike or again because you want to change the fork rake — so the handling of the bike — OR (!) because you are gonna swap your threadless fork with a old-school threaded one.
Before you buy:
- Check if the fork fits your wheels – 700C, 650C or smaller. A 700C fork can fit a 650C wheel but is definetly awkward.
- Check how long is threaded area on the steering tube. Rember to calculate the length of your head tube plus the height of the headset called “stack height”.
- Check the crown race size of the new fork (typically 26.4mm or 27mm) it’s a a required info when you buy a new headset or you want to keep the old one.
- Be aware that a different fork rake can definetly alter how you feel your bike, so be sure the new fork has quite the same measures.
- Chek if the fork has a brake hole or not. In case you’d like to add a front brake remember that not every brake can fit a track fork because of the space between the crown race of the headset and the fork lug.
- Check if the new fork has enough clearance to fit tires bigger than 19-23 (if you want have a bigger tire — see cross-road/randonneur or city tires)
How to install:
- If you are swapping your old fork with a new one keeping the old headset you might need to remove the crown race (that ring stuck to bottom of the head tube) with a specific tool (Universal Crown Race Puller) form Park Tool or you can try bumping it gently with a big screwdriver.
- Typically when you buy a new fork it comes uncut so you need to cut it for your frame exact size. Better buy a Threaded Saw Guide before screwing the fork. You need a simple saw for metal you can find in any hardware store.
- Then to install again the crown race on the new fork you need this Crown Race Setting System or you can use, like I do, a pipe you can find at any hardware store.
