Gravel Bike Fork Woes

I was plodding along t’other day on my gravel bike when my mate commented on a rather unpleasant rattle emanating from my bike. When I got home I realise that the expander plug for my steerer had disassembled itself. Not a problem I thought – new one duly purchased and I set about removing the old one. This proved more difficult than initially anticipated and in my hamfisted attempts to get the thing out I ended up knackering the carbon steerer tube. Less than ideal, but surely an aftermarket one exists that I can just whack on there. Except it would appear not.

My bike is a cannondale topstone alloy and it uses a 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 tapered fork – a standard I had no idea even existed until yesterday afternoon (because MTB) that seems to be rarely used. I cannot find a fork in stock that is suitable and not eye bleedingly expensive. It would seem that I’m almost better of just spending a a couple of hundred quid extra and getting a complete frameset and whacking over the parts, which is no doubt going to be an absolute arse ache because everything is internally routed and I have a front mech to contend with as well.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a suitable fork? It doesn’t seem to be something I can just order direct from cannondale either.

No.
But something like this will open up more options for you https://www.sellutionmtb.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HR-1418

Get in touch with CSG who distribute Cannondale. They may be able to source something?

Talk to Carbon Wasp or similar – they may well be able to repair your existing fork.

I had the same problem when I wanted to upgrade my GT Grade to a full carbon fork it has the same steerer. I didn’t bother in the end as the weight saving wasn’t worth the money but if CGS don’t have a top stone fork a grade one might work too.

I’ll remember that next time some one raves about Topstones

As I’m currently running an un tapered fork in a tapered frame. I’m sure it will just be a matter of finding the right headset and fork

In what way is the steerer knackered? Any pics

Thanks folks – some good ideas here. Looks like there are straight steerer options about, so getting a reducer and one of those looks like the way to go. Hadn’t even considered that as my brain doesn’t think properly in imperial.

@ampthill
This aside I absolutely love the bike. It’s been my first foray into the world of drop bars and I’ve found it hassle free and a joy to ride for the eighteen or so months. It is however riddled with standards and things I would avoid like the plague on an MTB (front mech, internal routing, bottom bracket and crankset that isn’t shimano etc etc) so it’s going to the bike shop when it needs anything more than a new chain or a tweak to the gearing.