Wanted: Track Fork - Ideally Original Gazelle

I have just bought myself a gazelle track frame but I don't like the thread-less road forks. I was hoping it would not be too hard to find some forks that would match, Ideally I could reunite it with some equally beautiful original gazelle forks!

This is going to be my first build and I am new to track bikes so I welcome any advice you guys can give me.

Thanks,

Martin

just get these. chrome goes with anything (just stick some gazelle decals on it if u realy want) :D
plus its gonna b tough to get original gazelle forx.

then you can lose that a-head stem for some sexy quill action

dont get those, because they're shitty 27" forks. i'm almost certain ive seen some gazelle forks at tour de ville

oh yea - TdV is ace for gazelle stuff. :D

youve done bloody well for a first build, hope you enjoy it

Hey guys thanks for such a quick reply! Will definitely check out tour de ville - thanks for the tip :D I just thought it was possible there might be a few laying around from damaged frames!

thanks, its a start ;D

Hey guys thanks for such a quick reply! Will definitely check out tour de ville - thanks for the tip :D I just thought it was possible there might be a few laying around from damaged frames!

forks brake more easily than frames, so less forks more frames

the gazelle forks do have a bit of a design flaw they can be quite flexy in the lower regions
keith and jos @ tour de ville said the last section of the fork where it starts to bend does flex quite a bit and it was a design flaw in the fork
the forks on my gazelle do prove this to be true not huge amounts of movement but not confidence inspiring on the first ride
you get used to it after a while though

May I ask if you intend to do anything with the road forks that you don't like? I'm also doing my first build and would be interested if they are 1".

Nice frame btw :)

Did you buy that from an oversized canadian?

If that is the case, than that goes for all Reyn. 531 forks, not only Gazelle.

However, there are different blade profiles:

• round, as used on older Gazelle Track frame sets and many other
  
• flatter blades as used on Gazelle A, AB and many older road forks
  
• more ovalised blades ("new continental oval") as used on AA-Special, AA-Super and newer track frame sets.
  
  

The older Gazelle track forks with round blades and Roto fork crowns should offer more side to side rigidity. I guess that's why these blades were widely used on track forks. Newer Gazelle track forks have "NCO" blades.

Another reason of flexiness (but not in the lower regions) could be that some forks have been built with integrated aerodynamic fork crowns (blades do not go into the fork crown, but the outer surfaces of the crown and the blades are flush. This aero crown is less stable.

Finally: I do have 2 good Gazelle 531 ROAD forks, painted, driled.
I can sell these.
Can be used on road (with brake) and on track (without brake). Problem is that clearance is not tight and there is a brake hole. But Giant Omnium frame sets also have a regular road fork (no hole drilled tho).
If you consider to respray the frame (what I would do) and the fork as well, the brake hole can be filled up easily.

woot?!

i thought that you'd bought this - http://www.londonfgss.com/thread27376.html#post888640
i guess not - but its near identical:
-track dropouts
-black forks
-same ahead stem + spacers

weirddddddd

no bought from me who bought it from an oversized canadian.

woot?!

i thought that you'd bought this - http://www.londonfgss.com/thread27376.html#post888640
i guess not - but its near identical:
-track dropouts
-black forks
-same ahead stem + spacers

weirddddddd

and same dent on top tube.

Flickwg: can't argue with your logic ;D

Diceface: if I manage to sort out some new forks and get rid of these (hopefully in the next week or two) I will let you know.

Dutch Cheese: Thanks for all the excellent info! Could I see some pictures of the forks you have for sale? are they the

• "flatter blades as used on Gazelle A, AB and many older road forks" type?
  
  

Ideally I was looking for some original track forks with tight clearance!! although seems I may have to make do.

EVERYONE: Pretty sure this is the same frame that 'nik' was selling I recently bought it of 'catboy1981'

I'll post the pictures later (and the length of the treaded steerer).
They're newer types, with wider "NCO" blades and stiff Cinelli crowns. Same type as AA-Super.

Cool, thanks dutch cheese.

I went to tour de ville today and although they had a few gazelle forks none of the spares had a long enough steerer!! They had some beautiful chromed Gazelle 531 road forks on some pre built bikes that would have done the job!!

Should have taken a photo but I forgot - found the forks I am talking about here: http://www.classicbikeshop.eu/frame-gazelle-ab-wit-60-81-3262073-details.html

Would be interested in some of these with the beautiful Gazelle detail ;D if anyone has any?!

Anyone know how to measure the length of threaded steered I need? Guy from tdv said I needed 23cm - I just measured my head tube which measures 186mm! Sorry for asking basic questions!! i am new to all this.

I think that guy is right.
Regular threaded headsets have a stack height of approx. 39mm (cheapest Asian headsets) to 43/45mm (Campag).

In your case 230 - 186 = 44 mm.

How you measure the length of the steerer tube? Usually the ful length above the crown race seat (roughly everything above the fork crown).
Stack height = steerer tube length - head tube length.

Sorry to disappoint you but my forks are also too short for your frame.
They are 211 and 218mm.

What you CAN do is using a steerer tube extension (conversion to ahead system) and use a threadless 1" headset + stem.
Then you can use a fork with a shorter steerer tube.

I have some lejeune 531 chrome forks simillar to what you're looking for which u could have for nada BUT again they are intended for 27's, chrome is not great and I'm not sure what the steerer length is as I'm on me hols. Will measure and pm you next week if u are interested.

Dutch Cheese: thanks for all the excellent info :D

Thats a bummer that your forks are also too small!! dont fancy the idea of a conversion, really do like a quill stem but thanks for the idea.

Mr Lunch: thanks for the offer, if you could send me some details when your back home that would be awesome!! definately dont want 27's but if they fit maybe they will have to do for a little while.

enjoy the holiday ;D

no bought from me who bought it from an oversized canadian.

That frame gets around. Sorry. I missed the thread where nik sold it with the dent and replacement fork.

This is what it used to look like pre-ryan:

http://www.londonfgss.com/post446565-5.html

(its the one labelled "ryan", in case anyone has trouble) so thats the original fork, if youre looking to match it..

...don't suppose he still has the fork? ;D

I think the fork got accidentally killed a while ago, hence the replacement. THat bike got ridden pretty hard, both as a messenger and at polo. Ryan isnt the most..gentle of riders..

i love the fact you are telling him this once he has already bought it