light compression plugs?

[FishMan473]

I'm building up a new bike with a carbon fork and I'm wondering what the options are for compression plugs and if any are significantly lighter than others. Anyone know anything about it? Its a Carver Carbon O'Beast fatbike fork, Carver's expansion plug (sold separately) is claimed to be 28 grams for $19... are there better options?

[FishMan473]

I'll get this party started: FSA compression plug: 39 grams, $23-30 online. Seems well made.

[xc71]

Extralite Ultrastar 2 = 7 grams. On sale @ fairwheelbikes.com for $37.95.

[roobydoo]

A note on that Carver, it needs at least 1/8" gap above the fork inside the stem or it can't pull up properly, I was able to find a 3mm spacer instead to solve this so I could get full grip on the fork.
Otherwise a good plug and light.

[FishMan473]

Extralite Ultrastar 2 = 7 grams. On sale @ fairwheelbikes.com for $37.95.

WIth such a short stack to the compression plug itself, any idea how well it does reinforcing the steer tube from clamping forces from the stem? Also, that does not include a bolt and headset cap as most compression plugs do. If you add this that's a whopping $56 for an admittedly light 12g compression plug assembly... but too rich for my blood.

Also, does anyone know what Niner's compression plug weighs?

[aspms]

If looking for cheaper solution I would go with Hope Head Doctor- 30grams for 25$

No worries about stack height- it's working just fine on my xc bike and similar solution on roadie.

[roaringboy]

This is reasonable for under £15:

CarbonCycles.CC :: Components :: Products :: Top Caps :: Superlight eXotic Carbon Top Cap & Wedge :: CC-E05



Not technically a compression plug, but designed for carbon steerers.

[FishMan473]

This is reasonable for under £15:

CarbonCycles.CC :: Components :: Products :: Top Caps :: Superlight eXotic Carbon Top Cap & Wedge :: CC-E05

Not technically a compression plug, but designed for carbon steerers.

Again, I have to wonder how much this is reinforcing the clamping zone of the stem. Also, in reality how important is reinforcing this area anyway?

[roaringboy]

I doubt it does any reinforcing - it's very flimsy - i think it's more designed not to harm the carbon steerer when it's put into place (unlike banging a starnut in).

[FishMan473]

After talking to my LBS, they didn't think it needed to do any reinforcing. So the best thing to do might be to get whatever compression plug is cheap and works and then just remove it to save weight on race day?

[chestercospinner]

if its any consolation I've been running a sid wc for about 6 months that I unknowingly bought from ebay with a starnut already driven into the steerer. I threatened to return it but my lbs said it looked fine, no signs of cracks and its been perfect thus far. The wc steerer is thicker than my niner carbon fork though. I do however under torque the stem bolt to 4nm just in case.

[MarcoL]

Extralite Ultrastar 2 = 7 grams. On sale @ fairwheelbikes.com for $37.95.

this one works great!

[sfer1]

Carbon Ti X-Plug

.:: Carbon-Ti - Hi Tech Bicycle Components ::.

[dennis rides Scott]

My chinese carbon fork had a very small diameter. Therefore the Hope Head doctor was to big. I glued the part with the tread, inside my fork with epoxy glue. That part was only 10 gram or so.