How to cut and install a new fork | Syd Fixes Bikes

If you just got a new fork for your bike, here's what you'll need to do to install it.
What you'll need:
Parts:
Fox 32 Step-Cast fork: bit.ly/3urOkJ4
Tharsis carbon handlebar: bit.ly/2Qd6L5y
Tharsis stem: bit.ly/3mxcsY7
Headset spacers: bit.ly/3t2kM4r
Niner YAWYD top cap: bit.ly/39XSoJk
Headset (make sure to get the correct one for your frame): bit.ly/3d1v6E2
Allen keys: bit.ly/3mxddQX
Hammer: bit.ly/3d2Gvnq
Carbon paste: bit.ly/3dNJKOp
Grease: bit.ly/3fYd7Am
Crown race install tool: bit.ly/3muxjuQ or section of 1.5″ PVC pipe: amzn.to/2NV1j3f
Paint pen: amzn.to/2TR1G2o
Pipe cutter: amzn.to/2RGGaL4
Reamer: amzn.to/3aFsusk
Star nut install tool: bit.ly/3dLqQrz
Grease gun: amzn.to/378km3X
Other things in the shed:
Our toolkit: bit.ly/337LfDf
Work stand: bit.ly/3mTXStc
Tool pegboard: amzn.to/3mTYlLY
Syd's apron: amzn.to/345MbHz
00:00 Intro
00:18 What you'll need
00:39 Crown race installation
01:43 Cutting the steer tube
05:55 Headset and fork installation
07:21 Star nut installation
09:16 Handlebar and stem installation
12:45 How to install a fork in one minute
These links are affiliate links which means we get a small percentage of the sale! The price stays the same for you, but you can support our channel by purchasing through one of these links :)
Want to help us keep making videos?
Patreon: / sydandmacky
Paypal: paypal.me/sydandmacky
Our vlogging channel: / sydandmacky
Our Instagram: / sydandmacky

[@jamesstuart26]

I feel I've seen this before but I'm here again watching 100% 🤣

[@anguscampbell2007]

ye me too lol

[@sydfixesbikes]

Haha we decided to re edit just this bit so that people searching for fork install could find it. But thanks for watching again ☺️☺️

[@edwardhernandez224]

Thank you, I thought I was taking crazy pills! I watched it again too.

[@leejohnson8719]

Right? I thought I was in the twilight zone there for a minute. Or "I saw a black cat walk past us, and then another one just like it..."

[@user-ok5ip3gi4b]

American people are real marketing genius. Your channel is so interesting and entertaining. It makes me feel fixing bikes is so cool and want to invest more money in this hobby 👍

[@ViralVenom]

In the next decade as the world goes to shiz, those that can fix bikes will be kings and queens.

[@stevesmith9082]

Little tip with the pipe cutter when you first go round to score the pipe go forwards and backwards as you go around. This just helps with it not corkscrewing down the pipe/fork.

[@netposerx]

Did my first fork install a couple of weeks ago. DVO Onyx. Was perfect as I took my time and made sure I got my measurements correct and subtracted about 3mm for the cut.

[@chiccorocker]

I think the day I bought the star nut setter my life changed. No more nightmares (and sore fingers) needed to set a star nut. It cannot be understated how much this tool is actually useful and you should get one. Pretty much the opposite is true about the crown race setter tool: you can totally use a (square cut) PVC or metal pipe of the correct size, just paying a bit of attention and not pushing the crown race on an angle. You can also put a smaller pipe around the upper part of the head tube so the bigger pipe will stay straight and the crown race would be pushed evenly to the crown.

[@RenaxTM91]

Never actually used a star nut setter, looks like it makes a hard job easy 100%, but I install starnuts maybe 2-3 times a decade so I never bothered to invest in it.. I am a absolute tool junkie tho, so I just ordered a tool I don't know when I'll need next time, and know I'm not gonna use more than a few times the next 10 years..

[@BrianVaughn]

I just bought a 2ft pvc just for installing a crown race. Worked great.

[@shellypalumbo5297]

Perfect timing. I’m installing a new fork today. Your how-to vids are the best. Thanks

[@shveylien7401]

Perfect Timing! I have a bike that is considered "Discount" quality and need to replace the fork. Now I have answers to some things I didn't know existed and can make smarter decisions.

[@whyweride3184]

Always fun watching you videos! You guys Rock!

[@AncientEnergyEyesOpen]

Doing my first fork install tomorrow. I'm nervous and excited. Thank for your videos. All of them. I love watching both of your channels. But this one is my go to for "how to".

[@sydfixesbikes]

Good luck!

[@Biking_with_Akiva]

I’m so thankful for this video I’ve been having some issues installing my fork long story short you guys answered all my unanswered questions 🙏🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@minnesotasteve]

Just installed a new Fox fork on my bike today. Your video was helpful, especially when I got to the point of putting on spacers but forgot the stem and was like oops! Got a FSA star nut tool for like $12 from nashbar that worked well. The pvc pipe for the crown helps if you put a coupler joint as it will then hit the outside of the race perfectly. Thanks for your videos!

[@CanyonWanderer]

Using the right tool is so helpful (not referring to the tool replacing the perfectly fine PVC pipe BTW). Today I did my second ever rear cassette replacement, this time with a proper chain whip (14 EURO's). Job done in minutes... The previous time was a good struggle and a good thing the old cassette was ready for retirement considering the improper tools I used to remove it, probably inflicting some damage...

[@sydfixesbikes]

So true. For certain tasks the right tool is 100% worth the investment!

[@LukeCarnevale-o3y]

Great video- a lot more realistic as to what I will encounter as a first time install. Great job!!

[@christopherflores6137]

Another awesome vid - your channel has inspired me to start a build! Cheers

[@sydfixesbikes]

Awesome!!

[@geckonia]

Ok so definitely taking my bike to the shop for this 😁 thank you I would have totally gotten stuck at the star nut.

[@netposerx]

I had a different star nut tool from Park Tools. It did not have the sleeve that goes on outside of steerer tube. And I used a regular hammer since the tool was solid steel and works well. The rubber mallet didn't work very well.

[@Mikeb8134]

love Syd! thanks!

[@dgriffinm]

You guys are fun to watch

[@philipcaldwell3187]

Thanks!

[@djcooljones4585]

Syd calling parts "puppies" awesome!

[@sydfixesbikes]

😁

[@tomahoks]

I said I need an apron too, and now I do. One from Muc off. Thank you.

[@jamesherd9132]

Thanks Syd

[@selfhelp69]

The 2 foot 1.5 pipe can add tork to a small pedal wrench yowza.

[@selfhelp69]

grease is also good to decrease seizing of parts. Still love these videos.

[@lebot3403]

My first time installing forks,needed to cut the steerer tube little bit because the star nut is bend so wrong that it can't be saved anymore,luckily have an spare star nut.After that,with some hassle and swears,it fits although many scratches on the fork,luckily some cheap forks.The second time I installed a new fork,an old stock model 26er manitou fork for my XC/trail hardtail bike convert,with some of experience,installed it with less effort and scratches again,but less.You learn from the mistakes and be better from time to time.

[@CraigMartinNB]

If the star nut is bent, I just drive it all the way through the steer tube and out the bottom.

[@lebot3403]

@@CraigMartinNB mine's bent so bad that it looks like an pisa tower,but way more bend

[@smallhatshatethetruth7933]

Blunt syringes make handy grease guns too

[@willemschott]

Can you go through that measuring again...put on your spacers, put on your stem, draw a line, then add or subtract 3mm from that line to find your cut point? sorry this is just very confusing and as mentioned don't wanna cut twice, thanks!

[@herbr9563]

Very nice video! How much should you tighten the top cap?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Until it's tight but the bars still spin easily.

[@norumai]

A question that maybe useful for others including myself. Q: Can I use a expander top cap commonly used for carbon steerer on my alloy mountain bike steerer instead?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yup. No issues doing that.

[@1989kimimaro]

syd looks like the real life vesion of mable from gavity falls :P

[@andriejohnruado9463]

If im not mistaken I've already watch this

[@sydfixesbikes]

A lot of it was in the Single-speed build video, but we made it its own video so people who were just looking for how to install a fork instructions could find it.

[@profesam8457]

Watch it a third time just to be sure. It’s a great video. You won’t regret it. If only for the look of childish delight on Syd’s face when she picks up that rubber mallet and proclaims it as her favorite.... Priceless!

[@user-rj9ui3sz8u]

Hello, Just got a new fork and first time install. I was wondering if you reuse the crown race or just get a new one? Thanks in advance.

[@sydfixesbikes]

Reuse it, just try not to bend it while you're pulling it off the old fork

[@gireeshan-bd6hi]

My front hydraulic disk is making huge noise and its braking is reduced how to fix it

[@sydfixesbikes]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6S9gYive7-UrrM

[@memememe843]

If you already have a headset and are just changing forks can you just reuse the same headset?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yup. Just clean and grease it well.

[@deuce9624]

I just installed my first new fork on a bike I’m building for my daughters first bike

[@sydfixesbikes]

Nice!

[@tysonm2525]

I accidentally cut my fork steer tube too short 😭... I forgot the stem 🤦. You should do a video of what to do if you cut your steer tube too short.

[@arielescarza3288]

❤❤❤

[@MaximC]

Syd, what camera are you guys using? Thanks.

[@sydfixesbikes]

We use the Sony ZV-1 camera (amzn.to/3agqcS8) for filming and the Comica CVM-WM300A (amzn.to/3tusJ2t) connected to the Zoom H6 (amzn.to/3x5PSuc) for audio. Then we sync the audio and video in our video editor. You can attach the Comica receiver directly to the camera, but then you lose the ability to duck out one person's audio if we both end up talking at the same time.

[@MaximC]

@@sydfixesbikes Thank you.

[@gireeshan-bd6hi]

How to adjust disk brake rubbing

[@sydfixesbikes]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rojQnX5rhsenlbc

[@gireeshan-bd6hi]

@@sydfixesbikes thanks

[@solitaryrefinement6787]

Back in my day: "Tools you're gonna need; An adjustable wrench or a pair of Vise-Grips."

[@vijayanchomatil8413]

Thank you for this video. Buh Buy Judy and hello Marzocchi.

[@j_roq7112]

Puppies and thingies. You heard it from the pros folks!

[@mybike8640]

👍👍👍

[@DopeSmoker]

😃👍

[@jessicahaydahlrichardson7951]

What’s the name (brand) of your set of Alan keys you use?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Feedback sports (link in description)

[@jessicahaydahlrichardson7951]

@@sydfixesbikes oh awesome thanks!!

[@norumai]

"Downside for using the pvc is it doesn't look professional" is what others may think, if they hate it so much, just watch park tool or other channels that give in depth explanation.

[@norumai]

Tip for those who have steel steerers. Coat the steerer tube with grease to prevent rust from forming. Because one time, I tried to remove the fork for "Cup and Cone" style bearing repacking. The spacers are seized to the steerer tube making it impossible to remove and I had to use a pipe wrench to twist the spacers out.

[@JohnKrakatoa]

Most of your tool link are not working for europe wtf

[@aaron2847]

everyone messes up at least once.... Me, maybe twice. Depending on the direction you rotate the pipe cutter, the cutter should flatten the raised ridge.

[@sydfixesbikes]

Ah, good to know!

[@invaderzimrocksify]

If Nate Hills uses a PVC pipe then everyone else can lol

[@Carlos-the-cyclist]

Am I a time traveler? Because I’m sure I seen this video before. I had to pause to check the date.

[@sydfixesbikes]

A lot of it was included in the Single-speed build video, but we posted this part separately (as well as added a bit) so people looking for fork install could find it!

[@chrishorbatt3504]

Im afraid to watch, i just videoed the same thing for my channel, i hope we did it the same way!

[@voidwalker3008]

That installer is just a waste of money pvc is life

[@MGRM0]

Sorry guys, but i wouldn't let you do anything on my bike :(

[@davidchavez81]

This dude mansplains way too much.

[@sydfixesbikes]

You should watch our channel trailer (kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5rdqat8jJxgh8k), it explains that the idea behind this channel is that Macky is teaching me to work on bikes. He has a lot more experience working on bikes and until recently did all the bike work for both of us. That's why he's providing advice, suggestions, and teaching me while I actually do the work so I can learn.

[@luisgusman8356]

You guys don’t know what your doing!