I have an opportunity to buy a 2nd hand fork, only problem is the steerer is cut to 185mm. My headtube is 110mm and with my current FSA orbit headset, 185mm gets me from the bottom of my headset to exactly the top of my stem so i think I need a little more ( not really sure). Is switching to a lower stack height headset my best option and if so which one ( don't wanna spend to much either). Any advice appreciated
What stem are you using?
Sunline V1 and some FSA stems have a stack height of only 25mm compared to lots around 35-40mm - an easy 10mm.
Crank Bros headset 21mm stack although pricey and not great reliability imo
XLII 27.5mm stack and dirty cheap
:edit: actually you don't need to do anything...if it's coming to the top of the stem, what's the problem? 110mm HT + 40mm stem = 150mm leaving 35mm of steerer
Doesn't sound like you need one.
I think you're looking at it the wrong way. Your headtube should be a couple of mm or so below the top of the stem so that the top cap can preload the bearings slightly. Sounds like you will probably need a thin spacer.
thanks for info, I'm a bit clueless when it comes to steerer length/ headset stuff. I thought I needed some steerer showing above the stem
I had a similar problem and used the Crank Bros Iodine AMll Mountain C heaset.
Fitted a treat and seems to work well (although in all fairness I haven't used it much)
OP you don't need the steerer to go above the stem. 2-3mm below is ideal.
Sweet, thanks all
[i]110mm HT + 40mm stem = 150mm leaving 35mm of steerer[/i]
should have read 'leaving 35mm of steerer for the headset'
If the steerer comes to exactly top of stem, just put a 2 or 3mm spacer in and you're done.