Carbon steerer and expander advice please (Colnago Star 1")

[HillRPete]

My latest build is using a 1" Colnago Star fork. Unfortunately I only got the fork, 2nd hand, not the matching expander. So I'm wondering if it is ok to use the fork without the original expander inside, supporting against the stem clamp pressure? (I can preload the headset just fine with a screw clamp from the fork crown to the stem.)

PS: if anyone has a Colnago 1" carbon fork expander for sale, please PM.

[DaveS]

The Colnago plug is quite long, but it shouldn't cause any harm, not to use it. I'd find it very inconvenient, not to have for headset bearing adjustments. Here's a link to a plug for 1" carbon steering tubes.

http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?pag ... =1&minor=3

[HillRPete]

Yeah thanks Dave, unfortunately the Star fork has thick walls, so most other 1" expanders don't fit. Anyway I found a Colnago one in the meantime, yey.

[User Name]

eh, I'd do it if I could adjust the headset properly. A lot of people do up stem bolts too tight, anyway; they're supposed to be 'just' loose enough so that the bars/stem move on the steerer to absorb some of the impact, instead of the force busting stuff