I have always been a huge fan of Cannondale mountain bikes and I finally acquired one. A little project bike for me now. I want to change out the forks for some shocks but its an old bike and my steering tube is 1 and 1/2. Everything I see now is 1 and 1/8. I plan on updating everything to threadless anyway which means a new stem, and headset. This is probably a dumb question but if I get all with 1 and 1/8 will this be alright or affect anything. Is there anything I can do to upgrade the shocks? Please help!!

:confused:

you can either buy some press in adaptors (available from your local C-dale dealer) to convert your 1.5" headtube into a 1.125" steerer tube, or you can buy a Cane Creek headset (XL?) that's designed to use a 1.125" fork in a 1.5" headtube. Since it sounds like your bike predates suspension forks, you'll want to stick to an 80mm fork as anything longer will alter the handling of the bike quite a bit.

I have always been a huge fan of Cannondale mountain bikes and I finally acquired one. A little project bike for me now. I want to change out the forks for some shocks but its an old bike and my steering tube is 1 and 1/2. Everything I see now is 1 and 1/8. I plan on updating everything to threadless anyway which means a new stem, and headset. This is probably a dumb question but if I get all with 1 and 1/8 will this be alright or affect anything. Is there anything I can do to upgrade the shocks? Please help!!

:confused:

THey do make adapters so you can run a 1 1/8 fork.
like this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3656363755&category=42317&sspagename=rvi:1:1

you can either buy some press in adaptors (available from your local C-dale dealer) to convert your 1.5" headtube into a 1.125" steerer tube, or you can buy a Cane Creek headset (XL?) that's designed to use a 1.125" fork in a 1.5" headtube. Since it sounds like your bike predates suspension forks, you'll want to stick to an 80mm fork as anything longer will alter the handling of the bike quite a bit.



Thanks for the help!!

If you have a headshok on the bike now why not just upgrade the cartridge or if its a 50mm or 60mm travel headskok, upgrade the whole fork to 80mm headshok. You don't want to go to any more travel than 80mm. If you are using v brakes you will get best performance out of the rigid fork (no boss flex). check out ebay.

There is 2 listed now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3658804487&category=36135

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3659220730&category=36135

Thanks everyone for your help.

I have researched it a little further using your tips. I now know that my two options are to get reducers or to get the Cane Creek conversion headset. Has anyone used either or know anyone that has? I would like to get your ideas on which option is better. Using reducers would be a lot cheaper but I am leaning towards the Cane Creek conversion (with fewer parts comes fewer problems). Let me know what you think.

thx

Thanks everyone for your help.

I have researched it a little further using your tips. I now know that my two options are to get reducers or to get the Cane Creek conversion headset. Has anyone used either or know anyone that has? I would like to get your ideas on which option is better. Using reducers would be a lot cheaper but I am leaning towards the Cane Creek conversion (with fewer parts comes fewer problems). Let me know what you think.

thx

We've installed quite a few of the reducers with no problems. But I agree that the Cane Creek headset just seems like it would be the better way to go for the reason you mentioned. But my experience is that they both work fine.

I recently installed the Cane Creek adaptor headset on my 99’ Super V. I had the shop press the bottom piece onto the steerer tube, but did the rest myself. You might want to have them install the bearing cups into the headtube if your not very good with possibly delicate matters. Pay close attention to which way is up on the split bearing adaptor that slides on from the top. If you have an 80mm Headshock, you should be able to install a 100mm travel fork and still maintain the same headtube angle. Measure the distance from the axle to the top of the fork crown on your Headshock and try to stay close to that. Mine was the same at 80mm as my new fork is at 100mm. I have a 100mm to 130mm travel adjustable fork and it is great for railing down hills set at 130mm, but only OK at 130mm for climbing and tight switchbacks. But it is definitely fine when set at 100mm for those climbing and tight switchback situations.