FourMat wrote on 06/26/13 at 2:39am:
Thanks guys. stateprez, I missed finding that one on your google link. Looks like a good inexpensive alternative. I also found a carbon cross fork with 1" steerer on Nashbar for $119.
I guess the next question is the bearings and cups. I measured the ID of the head tube and it's exactly 30mm. I'm looking at 1" threadless headsets and the ones I can find have a 26.4mm race diameter. Is the ID of the head tube also called the race diameter? Do I need to find a set with a 30mm race diameter?
As far as the steering goes, I'm not really worried about the handling. I would assume that the really weird head angle (more caster) would make it more stable in a straight line, which is what I'm looking for with the frankenstein TT build.
If you look at the Sheldon Brown Chart, 1" ISO has a 26.4 crown race ID. The OD of the cups is 30.2. You should be fine.
Hypothetically it would be better in a straight line (like a Cadillac), but turn in will suffer (sluggish). Difference between a 29er and a 26er A-C is 30mm, and probably 1.5 deg HTA. A cross fork (non-suspension corrected/shorter) will probably be as close as you can get to perfect.
Captain Awesome wrote on 06/25/13 at 9:54pm:
I just threw a caliper on my old GT frame and its 1" headtube measures 30.2 id so I can only assume a 28.6 shaft will fit. Obviously its a crap shoot on bearings and cups, but I encourage one to try.
That leaves 1.6mm for bearings and cups. If you look at the chart, all of the headset/steerer dimensions leave 4mm+ for the headset. If you can trim 2.5 mm from the ID of your headtube, maybe it will work.