New wheel and fork - not sure they fit...

[hanvyj]

Hi, I've got a new wheel and fork after an accident. I just got cheap ones because I'm probably not going to be cycling to work post 2 cars driving into me :/

Anyway the wheel only just fits on the fork, and I'm not sure it should be like that:

See the u grippy thingy on the fork is resting on the thread, should it be like that?

Thanks!

 

[wealthysoup]

Im guessing these are non quick release wheels? Do you not need to take the bolt off then put it back on after the wheel is positioned on the fork? This would mean that the bolt goes on the outside of the fork at both sides

 

[hanvyj]

They are quick release, this is the screw on end with the nut off (the release is on the other side) The smaller thread is the quick release. The wider thread held by the u is the actual wheel axle, which is the bit I think is not long enough. I'll take out the quick release and take another photo

 

[hanvyj]

 

[musa]

If there quick release having checked my spares try push the axle to balance them up (if that makes sense to you)

 

[Andy_R]

The axle wants to be just shorter than the outside width of the drop outs, outherwise the quick release wouldn't be able to apply pressure and the wheel would drop out. Looks OK to me.

 

[hanvyj]

Yeah, andy thats the case. It seems fine when I put the quick releases on. I'm just surprised all the weight is resting on the thread of the axle, thought something might have to be screwed for the drop outs to kind of "hold" if you see what I mean.

 

[hanvyj]

Thanks!

 

[hanvyj]

Ok, I've come across a few problems trying to fit it. The mudguards don't fit (not that fussed, but its confusing why the fork has eyelets but not enough clearance). The breaks are too low, the old fork had the hole for them much higher, I can only get the pads to touch the wheel if I angle them... Also, the new steerer (if thats what its called) is slightly different. My old one had a band around the base, increasing the diameter. The new one doesn't have this so is loose around the base. I drew a diagram:

 

[musa]

Good diagram. Well only I can say is your bike simply have the clearance for it so try another set of mudguards. It's a fiddling job

 

[simon.r]

It looks to me as if the wheel needs pushing down a bit into the fork - it's a bit counter-intuitive, but try just bashing the wheel at the point opposite the drop-out firmly but gently (does that make sense?!) with the palm of your hand so the threaded section of the axle sits flush with the top of the fork drop-out.

Difficult to say for certain, but I suspect the band around the base of your old fork is the headset race:

This is removeable (sometimes it's quite difficult to remove it!) and needs taking off and fitting to your new fork.

 

[screenman]

If you are that unsure about very basic maintenance I suggest a bike shop. Not all forks are the same, nor all brake reaches or steering tube diameters, did you make sure everything was compatible before purchasing or was it just Ebay the cheapest thing?

The wheel setup inside the forks is fine apart from pushing down as said before.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Difficult to say for certain, but I suspect the band around the base of your old fork is the headset race:
This is removeable (sometimes it's quite difficult to remove it!) and needs taking off and fitting to your new fork.

+1 for my suspicions on this. The race can be a real bugger to remove, and an equal bugger to fit. It's one of those jobs were having the right tools is pretty much essential.

As for the brakes. It sounds like you've got long reach calipers, but you probably need standard calipers with your new forks. If this is the case there is no way round it but to replace them I'm afraid.

Standard caliper for reference

Long reach caiper for reference

AASHTA

 

[screenman]

My worry here is that forks and brakes and bikes in general need to be safely maintained, with the questions being asked,well.

 

[hanvyj]

If you are that unsure about very basic maintenance I suggest a bike shop. Not all forks are the same, nor all brake reaches or steering tube diameters, did you make sure everything was compatible before purchasing or was it just Ebay the cheapest thing?

The wheel setup inside the forks is fine apart from pushing down as said before.

Well, I didn't want to buy a part that didn't fit my bike. So I went to a bike shop with the old part and asked "I want another one of these". To be honest my experiences ranged from bad to awful. In general (about 4 shops) just didn't get it (a new fork? What? Do we sell forks? I don't know I will have to have a look... Hey bob! Do we sell forks? No? Oh, sorry.)

The shop where I got my bike from "ordered" a new one, which took 2 months before I went and took my bike back. The one I got this from took a whole 5 weeks of "we have ordered it, ill ring you back with more information later". To be honest I think they had forgotten... One had no idea what I even meant by fork, even after I went up to a bike on display and pointed at the thing ("This pronged metal object that holds the front wheel on" Answer: "Eh? What?" I don't know if my accent is that hard to understand, I don't have any problem with anything except bike shops and forks!) Eventually they gave me this one - which clearly is not what I asked for (Remember, I actually went in with my old part!)

So my experience with bike shops is generally to stay the hell away!