Straight fork in tapered headtube?

[TrackGuy]

Long story here  (short one below):

So I got me self a new frame, very cool much excitement. I bought the frame from Bester Cycles, after stating that I have a straight fork the person said that I could buy an adapter and it will work, I am aware that you can put a straight fork on a tapered headtube so I agreed and bought myself the frame and adapter that they ordered for me, the new frame is a neat looking GT Zaskar 2014.

So I went to the shop picked it all up and came back home, started removing parts from the old frame and realized that we don't have the correct BB tool nor a headset tool. So I decided you know what, screw this, I will take it to the LBS and have it built up this time and have it nice and fresh, treat myself and the bike a bit, you know?

Shortly after dropping it off at the LBS, this happens:

The LBS phones me and tells me that my fork will not work on the new frame, the straight fork won't work on the tapered headtube it's oversized or something like that. Big bummer, but at the back of my mind I am like but how is this possible? I am sure I have seen people do it, and have done some research about this before I got the frame and so forth but maybe my calculations were off? Maybe Bester Cycles are wrong as well, because why would they sell me the frame then. Maybe this frame's headtube is just unique and different and can't take the straight fork, this is what I am now thinking.

But maybe it can, maybe the guys over at the LBS just don't know how? They are professionals so I trust their opinion over mine, because I am not the best bicycle mechanic around, not like I fix and install stuff on bikes for a living.

So, I spoke to my friend who also likes to pop a wheelie on the bike and he has been at far longer than I have and he also said that it should work and the people at the LBS are smoking socks.

Now, I have come to you, thehubsa community to advice me on this confusing journey.

(Short one)

What I would like to know from you great people is:

- Can the new Frame (GT Zaskar) take the fork with the adapter?
- If so and you have experience with this, would you mind explaining to me how to install this, I have used google etc. but haven't found anything too solid.

Please have a look at the attached images, see that on the adapter there is a side A and B I added this so you can tell which side should touch the fork etc. for installation.

Thanks a lot for the views and replies, if you are close to Rietfontein or Waverly and could assist me with this, like you have the tools etc. I will mow your lawn and play with your dogs if you could lend me your knowledge and tools, I can bring everything to your workstation or house, you know?

I hope this wasn't a boring read but somewhat fun

[Daniel J Méssem]

you will need to get a headset bottom cup that fots the new frame, the old frame looks like it takes a 44mm cup top and bottom, new frame takes a 56mm cup on the bottom (or 55, so lets check)

 

you can get a bottom cup that fits your non tapered fork, or one that takes a tapered fork and use the adaptor

[TrackGuy]

Okay, I see. So there is a possibility of this fork and frame working, great. The LBS told me that I would have to get a new fork for that frame.

Could you maybe link to one of these cups you are talking about, just to double check and so on. Thanks a lot

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Exactly as Daniel says. The bike shop is smoking its socks. All you need is a new headset for the frame.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Okay, I see. So there is a possibility of this fork and frame working, great. The LBS told me that I would have to get a new fork for that frame.

 

Could you maybe link to one of these cups you are talking about, just to double check and so on. Thanks a lot

Nope. No possibility. Just a certainty with the right headset.

 

It's a standard size - measure the internal diameter with a vernier caliper and then choose the relevant headset size, fit the reducer to the fork and hey presto.

 

Moral of the story - you need a new lbs.

[Daniel J Méssem]

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/za/en/hope-pick-n-mix-headsets-bottom-cup/rp-prod70727

 

select steerer diameter 1.5", ZS 56/40

 

just double check the 56, some brands like scott are 55...

 

can use this to double check everything

http://www.canecreek.com/headset-fit-finder

[DR ◣◢]

Get a Hope bottom cup for the frame with a reducer crown race. Problem solved.

 

Not sure who in your area stocks Hope.

[Daniel J Méssem]

there is also a nice pdf on the hope website, maybe print and hand to your local BS, I mean LBS

[Skylark]

You can use a reducer headset go big to small as in your case but logically not the other way(ie with a headtube that can only take 1.1/8"straight steerers you cant run tapered steerers).

[shaper]

I recently built up a bike for a friend with a tapered frame and straight steerer fork.

 

I got a Giant integrated tapered (1 1/8"-1 1/2") headset from the LBS which also had the straight steerer crown race adaptor in it. Fitted the headset and the adaptor crown race to the fork and works perfect.

 

Maybe just check at your LBS to see what tapered headsets they have and whether there is a crown race adaptor included in the box

 

See pic bottom left is the crown race adaptor

[TrackGuy]

Awesome thanks for all the replies guys.

So the cheapest option would be to get a new headset with the race adapter included like shaper said?

[Skylark]

Some brands sell only the side you need, ie the bottom reducer race, but knowing most lbs it'll be cheaper to just buy that giant complete headset that comes with a reducer. The giant one should be reasonably easy to get hold of.

[droo]

Cane Creek sell half headsets. Should cost you less than 5 gorillas.

 

Unless the steerer's too short the fork will fit with a new bottom half.

 

And yes, you'll need a new LBS with that too.

[TrackGuy]

So that little adapter I have there on the foil bag, doesn't mean anything for me?

[PeterF]

The only reason it wouldn't work is if the steerer is too short otherwise with the correct headset combination it will work.

[droo]

So that little adapter I have there on the foil bag, doesn't mean anything for me?

 

It's part of what you need, but not all - if the Zaskar's got an integrated headset all you'll need is a bearing, if it's semi-integrated you'll need a bearing and a cup.

 

A pic of the bottom of the head tube would help.