Star fangled nut problem

Paul Davis said:

I have an Inbred with rigid Inbred forks and a Cane Creek S2 headset.

I am having real problems tensioning the headset correctly as the
star-fangled nut just pulls up the steerer tube when even moderate
tension is applied.

I've tapped the nut 15mm back down into the steerer tube as per the S2
instructions but as I tension the headset the nut pulls back up! It
is now near the top of the steerer tube.

Perhaps it's the wrong size star nut or it's now too deformed??

Quoted message said:

Any ideas what to do next? My LBS (which put the bike together for
me) isn't open until Tuesday so I guess that there's not a lot I can
do until then.

Get another star nut on Tuesday (existing one can be tapped down out of
the way).

Today, remove top bolt and cap, adjust headset by loosening stem clamp
bolts, pressing down on the stem by hand, etc. You'll get it reasonably
okay in the end, won't matter if a small trace of play is left. Forget
the bolt and cap and ride bike.

Quoted message said:

Should I try fitting another star nut?

Worth a try as they're cheap.

Quoted message said:

What other headset tensioning
options work well - Ringo Star, Hope Head Doctor etc?

A Woodman unit has worked well for me. Sorry I can't remember model name.

~PB

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:2lv6tuFh3nfgU1@uni-

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Should I try fitting another star nut?

Worth a try as they're cheap.

Mine was 2-50 from LBS.
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/starnut.JPG

"Paul Davis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have an Inbred with rigid Inbred forks and a Cane Creek S2 headset.

I am having real problems tensioning the headset correctly as the
star-fangled nut just pulls up the steerer tube when even moderate tension
is applied.

I've tapped the nut 15mm back down into the steerer tube as per the S2
instructions but as I tension the headset the nut pulls back up! It is now
near the top of the steerer tube.

Any ideas what to do next? My LBS (which put the bike together for me)

isn't

Quoted message said:

open until Tuesday so I guess that there's not a lot I can do until then.

Should I try fitting another star nut? What other headset tensioning

options

Quoted message said:

work well - Ringo Star, Hope Head Doctor etc?

Any help would be gratefully appreciated as I'm currently stuck.

Cheers,
PJay

I don't know if this is a good idea, but it's worked for me in the past.....

Place the nut dished side down on a firm surface. A block of wood on a
workbench or even on the ground... Get a soft mallet or piece of wood and a
hammer and give it ONE moderately firm tap... this should expand the nut a
tad which might help it grip.... Failing that I'd get another nut

Paul Davis said:

I have an Inbred with rigid Inbred forks and a Cane Creek S2 headset.

I am having real problems tensioning the headset correctly as the
star-fangled nut just pulls up the steerer tube when even moderate tension
is applied.

Is the moderate tension enough? You only need it to pull the parts
together before you tighten the stem bolts to hold it all in place so
even modest tension should do the job. Tighter than that is unnecessary.

Tony

And, when you go to the LBS, try not to ask for a star /spangled/ nut -- as
I did.

Dead right! Don't ask for a star fangled nut because in no time at all that
also will let you down, and probably in the middle of nowhere. Get yourself
a bung, grease the threads fit, and forget it.
"Simonb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

And, when you go to the LBS, try not to ask for a star /spangled/ nut --

as

Quoted message said:

I did.

Dave Chadderton said:

Dead right! Don't ask for a star fangled nut because in no time at all that
also will let you down, and probably in the middle of nowhere. Get yourself
a bung, grease the threads fit, and forget it.

How can it let you down in the middle of nowhere? Its only job is in
the workshop after which the stem bolts take over the task of holding
the headset together. Once the stem bolts are done up you could remove
the star fangled nut and throw it away should you wish with no adverse
effect on performance of the headset and bike.

Tony

Thanks all

It's all sorted now. I dropped the owner of the LBS an email and had a reply
saying that a new s.f. nut would do the trick and if he was in the shop
anytime before Tuesday he'd give me a ring.

Had a call this evening to say that he was in and I've popped over and it's
all been sorted, on a Sunday too!! Great service!.

Thanks again for the Thoughts,
Paul