What is a Starnut?

The star fangled nut — or ‘star nut’, as it’s known — is pressed into the steerer tube and allows the fork and headset components to be pulled into place in the frame’s head tube. If you have a new fork or have just cut down your steerer tube, you may need to fit a new star nut.

Can you remove star nut?

Removing the Nut

The star-nut is basically designed not to be removable. If it is necessary to install another nut, simply use a punch and drive the first nut down until deeper than the new nut will sit. It can also work to drill out the center of the nut, and then tap out the remaining pieces.

What is a fork crown race?

There is a crown race installed at the base of your fork’s steerer tube – a crown race is an angled surface, or race, that interfaces with the bottom bearing.

Can I reuse Starnut?

Have you got a star nut for the top of the fork.? You can reuse the old one if the steerer tube is the same diameter all the way down which will allow you to knock the old one all the way through. To fit the star nut, screw in a bolt and tap the star nut down into the fork by a about CM.

Do new forks come with a star nut?

Typically forks do not come with a star nut. New headsets do, though. Your LBS should have a new star nut for you to shove in there. America eats its young.

What size star nut do I need?

– 29mm generally fit 1 1/8″ steel steerers, 26mm 1 1/8″ standard alloy steerers, 21mm / 22.7mm are for use in Echo 1 1/8″ alloy steerers and 18mm ideal for Inspired Fourplay or Team/Trialtech Sport forks – but please always measure the internal diameter of your fork to be sure!

Do I need a star nut?

It isn’t mandatory to use a star nut and there are ways to adjust a stem/fork interface without one, but it isn’t typically a “beginner” skill.

Can you use a star nut on carbon forks?

Never use a star nut with a carbon steerer tube fork (Figure 7). Star nuts can only be used with aluminum steerer tube forks. Use only a compression device designed for carbon steerers.

How do you remove a fork crown race?

Place a small flat bladed screwdriver between the crown and the race and turn it gently by about 1/16 of a circle (about 20 degrees). Repeat this all the way around, making the full circle in 8 to 10 “pokes”. When rotating the screwdriver, the race should be lifted by far less than 1 mm. Go gently, patiently.

How do you use a threadless nut setter?

The Threadless Nut Setter is used to install star-fangled nuts found on threadless headset systems. Thread the nut onto the TNS-1, insert into the fork stack, and tap it in with a hammer. Sets the starfangled nut to 15mm and keeps it straight. Long handle helps prevent pinched fingers.

What is hope head doctor?

Hope has made it from anodised aluminium with laser-etched graphics for a premium look. Its expander bung replaces the traditional “star nut” design for a safer hold with more even clamping force inside your fork’s steerer tube.