Ask a Mechanic: Using Steerer Tube Expanders with Carbon Forks

[@domestique3954]

this advice here on YT was long overdue: Many channels showed totally wrong advice.This is about rider‘s safety🤙

[@giganticyufka]

what a proffesional explanation, thanks!

[@LVQ-so5th]

Short and to the point. That's the way to do it. Subscribed.

[@SonnyDarvishzadeh]

1:23 I need a compression plug that sits proud on top of the steerer tube. The original one had a massive +2cm gap between the cap and the compression plug itself that the top of the steerer tube started getting crushed. I got the longer one made by Pro, but there's still 0.5CM distance. Now I'm looking for a one shown here.

[@alexa4438]

I got it now. Theres a special topspacer ( which is round, not triangular that PRO sells)then you can add a 5mm spacer then the common round top cap. So you set aside the special triangular top cap that goes with the Vibe. That is if you want to follow the "spacer before top cap on carbon steerer" rule of thumb.But seeing that PRO Bike gear does it without a top spacer meaning top cap over stem... I guess its gonna be fine.

[@joseph3543]

If you follow this guy's steps you will put unnecessary stress on the carbon steerer when removing the compression plug. Make sure you undo the stem bolts BEFORE removing the compression plug! Leave the bike on the ground or use an elastic band to prevent the fork from falling out.

[@glennoc8585]

I always back the stem bolts off a little then remove the expander plug. I then apply the correct torque to expander then retension the stem clamp.

[@tytanbiker5225]

... wiTh The correcT Torque on The expander bolTs and correcT Torque on The sTem bolTs , carbon grease really necessary To be puT beTween The sTeerer Tube and sTem assembly ?.. or applying carbon grease really necessary so ThaT lesser Torque would be apply on sTem bolTs ?..

[@Dustybutdigital]

I have a 1" full carbon fork but will be using a 1 1/8" stem with a shim. Confused as to what type of compressor plug to use, 1" because of the steerer, but what about the top of the stem? Thanks for the great videos!!

[@RixterNow]

Another great video, and very timely. I'm just about to clean my steer tube and check the bearings on my headset

[@javiikiller]

Do I need to pull out the compression plug in order to change my stem?

[@khanhknapp]

Im new at this and dont understand alot of the names used in the comments section.Is the compression plug the same as the star nut? I bought this headset expander and its coming today along with my new folding stem for my handlebars.Do i remove the star nut to add the new stem expander ? I do right?

[@yussanid]

btw 1:09 caliper cable is still connected.

[@robinsingh760]

bolt came out but the compression plug didnt how to pull it out

[@worth432]

Thank you, great info in here.

[@Newtttton]

thankyou. my orbea aluminum frame bike has a carbon fork. and it comes with star nut stem plug and not compression plug like this. should I change it? is orbrea perhaps being cheap when they put the star nut? does it make a difference? thank you mate

[@memoj.7273]

Usually how much is the tensile torque (N/m) setting for the headset expander compression plug (by using torque wrench) if i installed in an aluminum fork tube? Thanks..

[@Fahmmii]

Does the long compression plug will grip more than the short one? I bought a new plug and installed but i had a issue.. it’s not lock and i can move my handlebar when i hold my tires straight.

[@lukeweber2558]

my man, where can I get t-shirt like the one you're wearing?

[@mrT-gx5bq]

why do you need one spacer on top?

[@remembertheporter]

Perfect! Everything I needed to know.

[@eponce130]

Hi AC. Which type/make of compression plug did you use on this video demo? I have been looking for a long one like that. Is that the colnago one? Thanks and more power!

[@artscyclery875]

Hi there, the compression plug was actually not branded and is found on all Neilpryde bikes that we had stocked at the time. We attempting sourcing these exact ones and they are a bit hard to come by. It may be worth asking the guys at Neilpryde, I believe it was stocked on most of their bikes around 2014. www.neilprydebikes.com/contact

[@mlee6050]

Same I got one but no matter what I do, cleaning inside forks or what ever I have to tighten headset every so often and seems the compression thing moves I think as have to loosen stem as spacers underneath come lose and can rotate them like it not clamped

[@JS-tb9hu]

How long does a video like this take to film with all of those camera angles?

[@artscyclery875]

You'd be surprised how long it takes to film even a "short" video, but luckily for us, our camera and production crew is incredible. Thanks for watching!

[@slickburrito]

Can you guys give me some info about that specific compression plug and where I could possibly buy it? I'm trying to install a stem-cap phone holder (from Topeak) on my SuperSix but the stock FSA compression plug design won't allow for its installation. It appears that with the one shown in the video, there's a threaded channel the stem cap bolt goes into, which would be perfect for my application.

[@artscyclery875]

Running compression caps with the toppeak phone mount can be tricky. To my knowledge, the compression plug in the video is a proprietary Neilpryde plug that isn't available for aftermarket purchase. That being said, Mob Armor makes a phone mount that will mount to either you handlebar or tube stem. bit.ly/2eEcpXH

[@ericsandoval5712]

Can you use compression plugs on mtb suspension fork with alum/steel steerer tube?

[@remembertheporter]

Star fangled nuts are better on metal parts I think. What did you use in the end?

[@rexfest]

PLEASE HELP! That compression plug as shown in the video is the same exact one that i have, but it seems to be stuck. The outer sleeve sits seized about an inch out on top of my actual steerer tube. is the top wedge plate supposed to be flush up against the steerer tube? I tried loosening the allen bolt, and the bolt with the wedge that sits on top only came off, the sleeve and the unit itself is not budging. I tightened it back on and got rid of play, but im just not sure if it is sitting correctly, or aligned with my stem clamp surface. I cannot find any information on removal for this type of long compression plug. Any information is helpful!

[@artscyclery875]

Hi Sergey, I'll look into this now. Just to verify, what fork, bike and compression plug are you using?

[@rexfest]

The issue has been resolved, but thank you. It was a proprietary Fuji Altamira long compression plug- which was warped on top, thus why it was somewhat of a snug fit and wouldn’t set all the way down. It has been replaced with the FSA compression plug and life is good. Just to clarify- the compression surface on the FSA just needs to align on one of the step bolts, correct? Because it is not long enough to cover two.

[@MikkelsenR]

I have a Cannondale synapse with the entire stem cap turning I want to switch to a regular one where you turn the stem cap bolt. Is this possible?

[@artscyclery875]

Does your synapse use a standard m5 compression bolt? Sometimes the carbon compression caps that come with Cannondales require proprietary hardware, meaning you wouldn't be able to swap, but if the bolt is a standard size, you'll likely be able to swap it out.

[@KG-jr8lc]

can i use a Steerer Tube Expander on my mtb with an aluminium steerer tube?

[@artscyclery875]

If the ID on your alloy steerer is close to that of a carbon steerer, it should work without any issues.

[@alexa4438]

the PRO Vibe DI2 compatible stem has a triangular top cap that corresponds to the stem's shape.Does this mean no need to put a 5mm spacer over the stem before the top cap?

[@matthewbenger8355]

Alex A I've got the same stem with spacers above. The spacers cover the shape then I have a normal top cap no problems

[@alexa4438]

matthew benger kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnnShHd7jbdmeJI

[@matthewbenger8355]

So they just want you to buy that special spacer off them.. no biggie if using normal spacers I'd say

[@alexa4438]

matthew benger Exactly. IDK if it was a good idea but I just filed off that slanted groove in their special topspacer on a 10mil carbon spacer and fitted it onto the Vibe stem

[@alexr5819]

How come some manufacturers recommend no spacers above the stem? My Cannondale SS keeps coming loose if I have more than 5mm of stack above the stem.

[@artscyclery875]

What manufacturers are you talking about? It seems that having NO spacers above the stem is likely the cause of loosening, and not the other way around. Have you double-checked the installation of your steerer tube expander? And have you properly torqued all bolts?

[@alexr5819]

Cannondale. It's even stated in their manual (for my 2013 model at least). I double checked the installation many times, used a torque wrench, greased the expander, etc. It kept coming loose.

[@artscyclery875]

Expanders should never be greased. All carbon interfaces use friction paste (if anything) and not ever grease. That is the root of your problem.

[@alexr5819]

To clarify, I used grease on the inside bolt of the expander plug (the one that compresses the two ceramic looking discs put pressure on the steerer tube) and used carbon paste on the inside of the steerer tube. I took this bike to 2 different shops and they both re-installed everything and it still came loose with > 10mm of stack. Only after I took it to a Cannondale dealer and they told me I had to cut the steerer tube down did it stop.

[@artscyclery875]

That is really interesting and is the reverse of what we normally see, aka, loose headset because there's not enough stack. Glad you got it fixed.

[@pierresauce9212]

Hi ! My expander is stuck in my fork, even with unscrewing the center screw. How can I remove it without hurting the carbon ?

[@artscyclery875]

Hmm, that is a pretty uncommon problem and you absolutely want to be cautious when dealing with carbon steerers. Which make/model expanded do you have?

[@pierresauce9212]

I don't know exactly, that's a FSA headset and a Giant TCR fork, the headset seems low quality, so I wanted to change it (and the expander to get some weight gains) but I can't get it out. I tried to put some WD40 in it in case something were blocked but still in..

[@yas96225]

Well, I do have the same problem on my Specialized Roubaix.

[@yas96225]

Ok. I figured it out for my case. Maybe it helps in your case too. The screw was pulling a cone into the expander. Loosen the screw and hit it with a mallet, so the screw is pushing down the cone. After that my expander come off without a problem. Hope that helps.

[@pierresauce9212]

It works !!!! Thanks a lot !!

[@SorinVBogdan]

Can I use an expander with an aluminium steerer tube, or just with carbon ones?

[@artscyclery875]

Typically the ID on alloy and carbon will vary so most expanders will only fit in carbon. You can potentially use it in a alloy steerer if it fits, but it won't be as sturdy as a standard star-nut.

[@SorinVBogdan]

Thanks for the reply! I ended up going with the standard star nut without any issues :) Initially I thought that the expander would be easier to install, but everything is well and good