Weight Weenies

Recently I've got the chance to buy for a good price a Supersix HM 2016 fork for my 2014 S6 HM frameset.
May be you already know this 2016 fork is so much lighter than previous model, 260 grams instead of 320 grams, with almost same steerer length, and it has crown race integrated on the carbon.
During the assembly I've discovered that the new fork needs like a shorter lower bearing to fit my frame, because the lower 1-1/4 bearing leaves a 2mm gap between fork and frame, definitely too much!
Do you know if exist some 1-1/4 lower bearings with same geometry but shorter, so with height of 5 or 6mm instead of 7mm? Any other solution?
Here some pics:




2mm gap with lower bearing on (and pressed):


No gap without lower bearing (and maybe with a shorter lower bearing), just the rear side a lil bit open because the smaller size of the new fork.


The new fork looks really nice with the frame, and I wouldn't care about that cannondale writing on the head tube missing on the fork..

Is the lower bearing the same part for both forks? I'd have thought that the 'sloping crown race' part of the 2016 fork would need a different bearing to the more flat traditional crown race on the older model...

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Do you notice any fore/aft play on the fork? Does it feel secured and rideable or is the concern more cosmetic with the 2mm gap? I want to put a 2016 fork on a 2014 frame too.

Searching on the web I've found this Ritchey 1-1/4'' bearing http://www.ridewill.it/p/en/ritchey-prd20147-sealed-bearing-lower-comp-1-1-4-is-47-33/95763/
on the specs it says:
Sealed bearing Comp 1-1/4" Drop In IS 47/33
- for 1-1/4" headset
- lower bearing
- IS47 / 33 HT47-52 mm
- 45.9 x 34.1
- 45° x 45°
- crown race included
Could it fit?
Is 52mm its stack height (without crown race)?

Svetty wrote:Is the lower bearing the same part for both forks? I'd have thought that the 'sloping crown race' part of the 2016 fork would need a different bearing to the more flat traditional crown race on the older model...

Not 100% sure but they should fit the same bearing part (KP203), I still need more info about that..

godzuki26 wrote:Do you notice any fore/aft play on the fork? Does it feel secured and rideable or is the concern more cosmetic with the 2mm gap? I want to put a 2016 fork on a 2014 frame too.

Only tried it a couple of times to check the correct fitting, at the moment the 2mm gap is the main issue for several reasons (dirty on the lower bearing, stability, sloping of the frame), i hope to find a solution for it because the fork is much nicer and lighter than original one.
To say the truth i've noticed there's at least a 1mm gap on supersix 2016 frameset, but 2mm is too much..

are you sure that this 2016 forks suits in your 2014 frame ??
it seems that the angle of the fork tube and the pipe are not correct ¡¡¡¡


greats ¡¡¡

meanmachine wrote:are you sure that this 2016 forks suits in your 2014 frame ??
it seems that the angle of the fork tube and the pipe are not correct ¡¡¡¡


greats ¡¡¡

I'm not sure but i'm trying to do that, angles on both of them should be the same , 45 degrees.

what do you think about the pics below?
All of them have at least a 1 or 1,5mm gap between fork and frame and on the green one it looks like 2mm as on mine..

Ok I've checked all the internet and now I know there aren't any 1-1/4'' lower bearings shorter than 7mm, so i think the only solution is to sand down finely the carbon crown race (keeping its 45° angle) in order to lower at least 1mm the point where the bearing stops.
Anyway, as clearly visible on the pics above, the frame hasn't to stick to the head of the fork but it has to stay always with a clearance of 1mm from it.
Let me know what you think about that, and if there are some Supersix HM 2016 owners please let me know how much is that clearance on your framesets, thanks.

You're going to sand down 1mm of carbon all the way round from one of the highest stress areas of an ultralight fork?

Well, it's your face

Where did you find the fork. I was keen to do the same thing.

wingguy wrote:You're going to sand down 1mm of carbon all the way round from one of the highest stress areas of an ultralight fork?

Well, it's your face

At the moment it's just an idea, i'm looking for positive or negative feedbacks about that

NiFTY wrote:Where did you find the fork. I was keen to do the same thing.

Ebay, at a bargain price being brand new (but with cut steerer)

i do not think it is a very good idea to sand down that area, because doing so creates a gap in the outer layer of fibers, which is integral to the forks strength, but if you decide to go for it, post pics

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If the lower bearing you have is the correct one for the fork and seats properly on the sloping crown race I'd just accept the 2mm gap as it is TBH. You will have a space at the rear in any case.