And what will happen to all the frames that take said forks?
I have a 5 spot with a normal headtube and Im getting concerned that I wont be able to get spares for my forks in a few years time as everything is going tapered??
You can get adaptor headsets you know.
Also, about 2030 or so.
You can get adaptor headsets you know.
What, that let you fit forks that are bigger than the head tube that they are going inside of, that's fantastic.
Seeing as tapered is sort of a mid-way point in the evolution towards 1-1/5" straight, and it's been around quite a few years, I'd say you've got a good 10 years before you need to worry. By that time, your frame might have turned into a pub bike, and you'll always be able to get cheapo 1-1/8" forks made in China to accommodate all the cheap bikes for decades to come, in the same way you can still by 1" steerer forks for all the cheapest bikes. I think people are more likely to upgrade forks than frames, so it's in the interest of fork manufacturers to make things that sell.
Crazy stuff.
Well I never.
I'll shut my trap then.
paulsoxo you had it right the first time.
the headset in the linky up there is for 44mm headtubes (that take a 1 1/8" steerer through a zero-stack or semi-integrated headset.)
Alas this will not help the op as unless he has a 2011 or newer 5 spot (that's when they went up to 44mm), his 'normal' headtube will only ever take a straight steerer.
The headline in that article is guff~ 44mm headtubes are not standard 1 1/8" ... much as I'd love some engineering magic to fit something where it doesn't belong (oh matron), fairly basic principles means it ain't happening.
I'm just making sure I keep servicing my current forks in an attempt to make them last as long as the frames do. Actually I hope my Revs out last my 2009 Five frame and I'm forced to use a reducer headset in the future.
Well I found that article interesting, as I have a bike with a suitable headtube. With a 1 1/8" headtube and 26" wheels I was wondering whether it was worth spending £200 on a new bit for the rear end, but at least one bit is future proof.
yep I have a 2010 5 spot so that new fangled headset in the link up there^^^^ still wont fit !!
Wondering if it is worth buying a spare crown,steerer and stanchion piece now ??
Frames will continue to have 1 1/8" for a few years yet and fork spares support will outlast that by even more. I reckon you'll naturally upgrade within that time.
Fork choice is already pretty limited for 1 1/8" steerers, especially in the 140-150mm trail fork market. I've been having this exact problem with finding a fork for my 2010 Orange 5. Combined with the 27.2mm seat tube, 26" wheels, and I35 x 12 mm axle, I'm already finding that a lot of new products just will not fit my bike.