PTW

I bought a massi compact alloy frame, headset and carbon forks off ebay for a stupidify low price. but the fork steerer needs cutting down to size and I dont really know how to do this without ffffing it up. can anyone help me to do this. I havent a stem or spacers yet but can buy some unless anyonme as a spare set just to sort the forks out.

Repeat after me - Measure twice, cut once!

From your previous bikes you should have a fair idea of your handlebar height and you'll need to fit the required number of spacers and your stem and then make a 'cut line' on the fork steerer by drawing around the top of your stem. Please note that the actual cut line will need to be 2-3mm below this mark or the headset cap won't settle down properly - most headset instruction sheets explain this. However, you might want to consider running 10-15mm worth of spacers above the stem for a while until you're totally happy with your position.

Do the forks have a carbon steerer? If they do then you'll to wrap some tape (parcel tape is OK) around the cut line to help prevent the steerer tube splintering (not good). For carbon steerers a fine tooth saw is recommended although some folks reckon that a hack saw is OK but keep a straight line going because you can't file things straight or file down rough edges or the carbon will splinter (not good).

Let us know how you get on.

measure twice - cut once

It is a carbon steerer. I havent a cutting tool like you suggested though. Maybe best to take it to a bike shop.At least if they fffing mess it up they have to replace the forks Theres a shop in Porthcawl who doesn't charge a lot. I been to him before for a job on my mountain bike
Thanks for the advice mate How you feeling after your ride?

OK thanks. Still got numbness in my feet especially my right foot. Had a big nap this afternoon and I'm trying to work up the enthusiasm to clean my bike - it's absolutely minging.

Anyway, back to you. Does this mean you're getting back out on the road?

Yes I will be returning to the road. its gpoing to be hard but I am enjoying being back out albeit a road going mountain bike ( a mint 1989 kona cindercone) but it suits my purpose in getting back into things again. I'll get my road bike built over the Autumn. I have got a veloce groupset but cant decide on which chainset (34/50 or 39/53) I have till the morning to decide wheels are Kysyrium equipe. I'm not sure what fork spacers to get and how many. they seem to come in 5, 10 or 20mm sizes of the carbon variety. or would steel ones do the job?

Take the bike down to Brucey"s and get the Fork height sorted,much easier!
Good to see you are starting back on the bike,any charity rides planned next year?

Animal Jones wrote

Take the bike down to Brucey"s and get the Fork height sorted,much easier!
Good to see you are starting back on the bike,any charity rides planned next year?

allright buddy No charity rides planned I wont go to Bruceys as I havent bought the frame and stuff off him so I'll take it somewhere else

Have taken the frame and all compents to Rush in Porthcawl. I was originally just going to have them to cut down the fork steerer for me but when I received the groupset I was amazed at how the cranks/bottom brackets have changed. I havent a tool to put them cups on

Yes, things have changed! I'm sticking with Campag square taper, not because it's better but because I've got so much of it lying around and, to be fair, it's never let me down.

I dont blame you Alf. I have bought a veloce groupset for my road bike Having tried both shimmano and campaq I do prefer campaq by a long chalk

I am slightly dischuffed with the Shimano groupset on my Galaxy. After just 18 months of admittedly heavy use, the front mech has self-destructed. The little bit of the main casting that retains the spring has broken off, meaning that I'm stuck on the large chain-ring. You can barely see the bit that's broken off because it's so inaccessible, so I very much doubt it got hit by anything. It's just shoddy, shoddy workmanship, and would you look at that, for the love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Still, at least the replacement only costs 13 quid and comes with free postage. And that's not to mention the downtube tension adjusters that corroded absolutely solid within 6 months. I don't know if they count as part of the groupset, but even now (after much emergency greasing) it takes all my not inconsiderable finger strength to make the little buggers move. I would use pliers, but they are made of plastic.

Meanwhile the Campag Mirage on my Monoc just goes on, and on, and on... I think I've only had to adjust it once in the last three years. Actually, second time was today as I've just replaced my completely worn out sprockets. And yes my number 13 sprocket teeth were shaped like shark fins...

Campag wears in, ShimaNO wears out. Only joking by the way. Whilst I do favour Campag I no longer favour their top-end stuff due to their use of carbon fibre - it'll be CF chains next!

Funnily enough, one of the few bike components that I've ever broke was a Shimano LX front mech on my first MTB where the alloy band snapped due to 'overtightening' - from me, an office wallah FFS.

I love the look of the Dawes Super Galaxy and Ultra Galaxy bikes and just wish they did a frameset only deal. I'm sure there's a way to get Campag sprockets on a 135mm rear hub but then there's the problem of using Ergo's and cantilevers.

Anyway, back on topic, how's your bike build up going Stumpie?

I think you need to move up to an adult tool set, young Alf, plastic pliers ,I ask you?

p.s. Shimano sprockets, Campag spacers.

Isaac Height wrote

IShimano sprockets, Campag spacers.

Makes sense Kev but don't you only get a maximum of nine sprockets on by doing this? I dunno, I think you do.

You got me there, Guv !, but I do know it works perfectly well on 8 and 9 speed. If only you could find someone to loan you a shimano 10 speed just to try out the spacing, must be a few best bikes being hung up for the winter, a 2 min job taking the sprockets off, anyhoo you never know your luck.

Oooh, the power of t'internet. Just found a cross/touring frame (not quite the same as a touring frame that's upset) that's spaced for 132.5mm hubs so will take 130mm road hubs or 135mm MTB hubs.

I can feel a tour coming on...

Reality check! Still need to sort out the Ergo's and cantilever problem. Avid Shorties or Travel Adapter.

Nice to see you getting the miles in today Paul

thanks Alf.Its nice riding again. have lost a stone in weight in 4 weeks. I'll use the mountain bike for a while to clear the weight off.