fork questions

camelbackkid said:

Hey all,

I bought 2004 CAAD4 58cm frame off ebay and I´m looking for a fork now but I not sure about the sizing. I checked Cannondale´s website and I believe they came with a 43 mm rake and a 1.25¨ steerer tube diameter. Can anyone confirm these numbers?

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/04/geo-16.html

Also, What kind of steerer tube length will I need with a 58 cm frame? They don´t specify the length of the headtube on this website and I don´t want to get stuck with one that´s too short.

Thanks

Try calling a Cannondale dealer. They should have tech specs that they need for repair.

As far as length, that depends on how many spacer you use and what type of headset/stem you end up with. Personally, I would recommend getting a full-length uncut (300mm+) and then cutting (or having it cut) to fit your specific requirements. There are so many forks on eBay that you can get a good deal on an uncut fork.

camelbackkid said:

Hey all,

I bought 2004 CAAD4 58cm frame off ebay and I´m looking for a fork now but I not sure about the sizing. I checked Cannondale´s website and I believe they came with a 43 mm rake and a 1.25¨ steerer tube diameter. Can anyone confirm these numbers?

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/04/geo-16.html

Also, What kind of steerer tube length will I need with a 58 cm frame? They don´t specify the length of the headtube on this website and I don´t want to get stuck with one that´s too short.

Thanks

If the steerer really is 1.25", then you're stuck with a very unusual sizing and will probably need to get a Cannondale fork, as the road standard is now 1.125", although there are plenty of 1" forks still available (favoured for TT bikes).
Check that steerer tube diameter - I expect that it could be correct as Cannondale has done some funny things with forks over the years.
With regard to the length - buy the fork uncut and install it and the headset with lots of spacers. Move the stem up and down with varying numbers of spacers. No need to install star nut or expander plug at this stage. When you've worked out your perfect height, then take the bike to the LBS and get them to cut the steerer to a length 2-3mm below the top of the stem. Many carbon steerers need to be cut 1 cm longer than this, in order to have a segment protruding 7-8mm above the stem and covered by a 1cm spacer.
If it is fact a 1.125" steerer, then I can recommend the Easton EC90 Aero fork.

Thanks for the info guys.

I think I'll wait until the frame arrives and I can measure the headtube before I order anything else, it shouldn't be long.

If the frame was originally sold with a fork with 43 mm rake, would a 45 mm rake work too? How does this change the ride?

camelbackkid said:

Thanks for the info guys.

I think I'll wait until the frame arrives and I can measure the headtube before I order anything else, it shouldn't be long.

If the frame was originally sold with a fork with 43 mm rake, would a 45 mm rake work too? How does this change the ride?

2mm difference isn't very much. A 45 mm raked fork will work. Although you probably wouldn't notice it, technically speaking, the longer wheelbase may slightly increase the shock absorbtion (although this is more a product of the fork material and construction), and the increased rake makes steering twitchier and less stable (albeit with a larger turning radius).

If that frame does indeed have a 1.25" head tube (which I doubt), then you could use a King Devolution headset to accomodate a 1.125" fork.

I contacted Cannondale this afternoon and they confirmed that it's 1-1/8" diameter. There are indeed some great deals on ebay so it looks like I'll find something soon. Thanks again

Alright, I've scored myself a new Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork. I was reading some old reviews and someone said that only certain stems will work with this fork? Does anyone know about this? I was planning to get a standard Ritchey Pro 1-1/8" stem.

Also, do I use the expander nut that comes with the fork or the headset?

I wouldn't fuss too much about the rake -- different forks ride very different anyway. So, if you bought a different fork with the same rake, chances are it will still feel very different "irrigardless"

camelbackkid said:

Also, do I use the expander nut that comes with the fork or the headset?

Use the one that comes with the fork.