Carbon forks and ahead stem on steel frame

Hi there,

I’m looking for a bit of advice.

I can’t afford a new project so am planning to tinker with my existing bike. The frame is a no name 90’s track frame made with Columbus Thron. Nothing fancy but I’ve combined it with some nice components and it rides well.

(It is worth mentioning that while I am fairly bike literate, there is much I don’t know so apologies if this makes no sense, or offends any purists!)

I would like to change up the forks, stem and headset - perhaps getting an ahead stem and either straight chrome or carbon forks.

As I understand it, I can’t fit 1-1/8 forks on my steel frame designed for 1” forks (for obvious reasons)

With this in mind, I’m looking for either:

1” threadless, straight, carbon track forks

or

1” threadless, lugless, straight, steel chrome track forks

Oh, and both would have to be compatible with 700c wheels

I also like the look of the Nitto NJ-89 ahead stem, which is 1-1/8” and as I understand it, I can use a shim to make sure its compatible with a 1” steering tube?

Is all this doable or such a complete faff that I’d better off sticking with quill stems and 1’ threaded forks?

Thanks in advance.

Sam

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All doable :)

Columbus do a 1" carbon fork, Ceeway do them at a good price - check if it comes with a bung (can't use star nuts on carbon). Almost no-one does 1" ahead stems anymore, because you can use a 1 1/8" stem with a shim on a 1" fork, so why make a specific one for the three people who want them? Sometimes you can get one on ebay. Miche do a perfectly serviceable 1" threadless headset for £30ish. You can convert a threaded headset to threadless by striping out the threads. Don't forget some carbon assembly paste before clamping up the stem.

(I know all this because I just built a bike with a 1" threadless carbon fork)

Cane creek headset at a very good price recently spotted by @mdcc_tester

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/CANE-CREEK-40-SERIES-EC-30-1-HEADSET-SEALED-BEARINGS-BLACK-NEW-ROAD-OR-MTB/192344261413?_mwBanner=1

Otherwise what ^ said, either the Advanced FF4 forks from Ceeway or Columbus Minimal (cheapest I could find is £140 at Triton). There might be some used Look, Easton or Reynolds Ouzo forks on eBay too.

You can find shims on eBay for less than £5, make sure they correspond to the stack height of the stem

Many Thanks ..

Still figuring out what direction to go in but this has definitely helped and given me a few new avenues to look down (which is half the fun!)

For a while on my Brother I used an All City big block 1 inch track fork with an ahead stem. Worked well and i found i could convert my dura ace headset to be threadless by using an M:Part A:Dapter.

There are as well adapters from 1" threaded to a-head with a shim. Works like quill stem but only with the part which locks to fork and there is bit sticking out to install stem. I could let it go as I'm getting rid of my Principia. Got straight carbon threaded forks to go with it. Steerer tube is 16cm long. 39quid for fork and adapter + postage. Prolly won't get it done any cheaper than that.
Fork thread

Thank you ShutUpNoRest

Unfortunately, I took the above frame into Vaz’s to be re-sprayed, and his brother Winston noticed some cracks near the bottom bracket so I have to scrap the frame and start again – which makes this whole thread pretty moot for me!

Actually - if anyone can recommend a modern steel or aluminium track frame not a million miles from the above, I'd be grateful. (Would be willing to spend £200/300...)