Star fangled nut alternatives ? - Bike Forum

Re: Star fangled nut alternatives ?

garage-dweller — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:46:27 +0000

Another vote for an SFN fitting tool.

None of the alternatives i've tried are any good compared to an SFN (for jey XC use) and its been used 3 or 4 times around the immediate family so it's more than paid for itself.

Re: Star fangled nut alternatives ?

coffeeking — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:34:09 +0000

All my bikes, never a problem ever. I never got on with SFNs...

http://www.nexternal.com/icycles/images/35405.jpg

Re: Star fangled nut alternatives ?

SeanOrange — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:23:00 +0000

Used a head doctor for the 1st time last week. Came with the headset. Doesn't instill me with confidence but neither does a star nut. I always make sure the stem is doing the clamping/holding duties. Star nut (etc) is only there to load bearings really IMO.

Re: Star fangled nut alternatives ?

MrTall — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:04:22 +0000

I bought the basic SFN fitting tool from CRC for £11.99 last week and it does the job simply and easily. X Tools one i think. Makes fitting it so easy (did one on an old fork to test it then another one on my nephews new forks) Both went in dead straight and dead easy.

Re: Star fangled nut alternatives ?

Northwind — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:58:44 +0000

A nice cheap trick to make fitting these easier- get a bit of cheap M6 threaded bar (couple of quid) and thread it through the star nut so that it sticks up a little through it. The bar then goes through the steerer, and stops you from getting too squint. You can finesse that a bit if you really want to but there's no real need.

(you can whack a couple of washers on the bottom end, and a nut, and use that as a puller to draw the star nut in but I don't bother, I just whacks it wiv da ammer.)

Re: Star fangled nut alternatives ?

sockpuppet — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:51:42 +0000

hed doctor - great for carbon steerer roadie type shenanegins. otherwise:

sfn - problem for which solution was found, job done.

Re: Star fangled nut alternatives ?

parkesie — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:44:39 +0000

http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp2/ugotthelook/images/mc_hammer.jpg

Re: Star fangled nut alternatives ?

bikewhisperer — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:35:52 +0000

A mate of mines fork steerer sheared across the SFN..! Was coz of bimetallic corrosion. I'm a little scared of them now, so +1 for hope hear doctors. BBB also make a cheaper, heavier one.

Re: Star fangled nut alternatives ?

swamp_boy — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:17:21 +0000

Its easier to get the SFN started accurately if you put the bolt into the star thing a few turns, clamp the bolt head in a vice or workmate so the whole thing is held firmly, then hold the forks and push them on to it. Its much easier to guide it accurately and its less inclined to slip sideways. Once both star bits are in the tube it will stay true and you can drive it as far in as it needs to go. Bit of a bodge but it works for me.

I've never known one slip once they are in, once everything else is tightened down there's no load on them.

Re: Star fangled nut alternatives ?

WhatWouldJesusRide — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:05:02 +0000

Thanks for the advice, peeps.