I have just properly come back to MTBing after a few years break spent climbing. So I have started buying MBR, MBUK, reading forums etc & basically coming back up to speed with current bikes/components etc.
I have a question (or two!) What is a tapered steerer? Obviously I can imagine what it is, but why is it tapered? Will it only fit certain frames?
Also I am looking for a decent set of forks for my Trek hardtail, it is a 19.5" frame, so what length steerer would I be looking for if I buy 2nd hand? 200mm ish??
tapered is wider at the bottom than the top 1 1/2inch to 1 1.8 " apparently more rigid
No idea how long is the current one is it long enough?
A tapered fork will only fit frames with a tapered headtube or a straight oversized headtube with an adaptor headset.
Will need to take the current forks off to measure. Been offered some forks with 195mm steerer. Just not sure as yet if they would fit.
a tapered steerer is wider at the crown race end than the handlebar stem end this improves the stiffness of the front end of the bike and reduces the headset flex by using a bigger bearing at the crown race end.
a typical tapered steerer tube would be 1 1/8th" at the handlebar stem end and 1.5" at the crown race end and yes it will only fit frames with a tapered headtube such as the the new on-one 456 carbon ti and 29er frames
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOTI456VN/on-one-ti-456-frame
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOCAR29RACE/on-one-carbon-29er-race-frame