Star Fangled Widget Size

glueman · Post by **glueman** » 20 Feb 2009, 3:33pm

The one that came with the stem appears to be slightly too large for the 1" steerer - are there two sizes of fangled washer, 1" and 1 1/8"?

The bars I wanted only came in 'oversize' which necessitated a 1 1/8" stem that I've shimmed down to 1". The widget looks like it could fit with some pressure but the two other bikes I have threadless stems on were both 1 1/8" so it was never an issue.

MartinC · Post by **MartinC** » 20 Feb 2009, 3:45pm

Yes, you can get both 1" and 1 1/8" star fangled nuts. If your steerer tube is 1" (and it is from what you're saying) then you need a 1" one. They're cheap and your LBS will probably have some.

glueman · Post by **glueman** » 20 Feb 2009, 4:19pm

Strangely, after picking the masking tape from the box the widget came in the label says 1". Very surprising as the stem is 1 1/8" and came with the star fangled washer. I had to get a shim from a different supplier.

The good news is I managed to cut the steerer almost completely flat (/- 1mm) with a junior hacksaw.

MartinC · Post by **MartinC** » 20 Feb 2009, 4:59pm

Ah, it will be a tight fit (more than tight) if it's the right size. You need a tool - star fangled nut setter to be able to hammer it in straight. Basically it's a drift that you screw the SF Nut onto then drift it down the steerer to the right depth. I'm sure Sheldon Brown or the Park Tools site will have a more useful explanation!

glueman · Post by **glueman** » 20 Feb 2009, 5:41pm

It was the correct size. I fitted it with aid of a piece of broom handle and a hammer - the same as one of our LBSs.
There is a very slight amount of rock in the bearings which I hope is insufficient tightening of said widget rather than a less than perfectly cut head tube, it looks as near as damnit square.

It shouldn't make any difference because the end cap rests on the stem which is slightly proud of the steerer anyway and the widget is in squarely.
Not a job I was looking forward to but an experience. If it's not perfect there are enough washers under the stem to start a silver dollar bar so i'll lose one and let the shop cut a bit more off. Fingers crossed it's okay.

rjb · Post by **rjb** » 20 Feb 2009, 10:37pm

They don't only fit these things to Bike forks. I was surprised to discover them in a metal tubular bed frame to screw the finials on! They looked like 1.1/8

glueman · Post by **glueman** » 20 Feb 2009, 11:06pm

The rock in the bearings is owing to insufficient steerer tube being cut for the stem. Or I could stick another spacer in.

CREPELLO · Post by **CREPELLO** » 20 Feb 2009, 11:15pm

I think that if it's less than a couple of mm's that it would be quite easy to file of the excess; I've neatened up cut steerers with a file with no problem.

Jerry

glueman · Post by **glueman** » 21 Feb 2009, 8:50am

Are you a Deltic man Jerry?

Yeah, threadless systems are a bit more of a fiddle to get right - unless you do them all the time - but it's better to find a position by DIY rather than be at the whim of whatever position the manufacturer decides we should have.

Edwards · Post by **Edwards** » 21 Feb 2009, 9:35am

Try moving one of the spacers above the stem. Then see if the rocking goes away.
If you look at the inside of the top washer there is a raised part that should engage with a spacer. This might not be happening with the stem at the top.

glueman · Post by **glueman** » 21 Feb 2009, 9:47am

Edwards wrote:Try moving one of the spacers above the stem. Then see if the rocking goes away.

Well done that man. It worked!

CREPELLO · Post by **CREPELLO** » 21 Feb 2009, 10:47am

glueman wrote:Are you a Deltic man Jerry?

Ah, you know about these thundering iron beasts on rails too? Twas the only one I didn't see. (named after a suuccessful racehorse of the late fifties - I can always apsire, though more likely perspire!)

Jerry

glueman · Post by **glueman** » 21 Feb 2009, 1:30pm

Standing on Grantham station once when two Deltics came through in opposite directions. One was in heritage green. Certainly loosened yer fillings.