Calling all Rockshox Pike Owners......

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[colin-mck]

Looking into getting another headlock (probably azonic) for my Meta build as I don't really trust star nuts or hope head doctors and the like.

I was just about to order one when I noticed my 2007 RS Pike 454 Air U-turns have a threaded plug in the bottom end of the steerer tube. 
I'm assuming it's for a mudguard to screw into, looks to be only a M6 thread.

Just wondering if anyone else has this and what they done about it.
Has anyone attempted to hammer one out?
Is anyone using a headlock system with a Pike?

Any comments appreciated.

Cheers
Colin

[Jackass123456789]

If it has an M6 bung in the bottom, could you not get a really long M6 bolt and just use a normal top cap with the M6 bolt and bung in the bottom convert it into a headlock?

Also if the top cap only takes an M5, wouldn't take much to drill it a bit bigger.

You could get a long M6 bolt from most good hardware / bolt shops, most trading estates have one lurking in a corner somewhere!!

[steveb]

Out of interest what don't you trust about star nuts?

[colin-mck]

If it has an M6 bung in the bottom, could you not get a really long M6 bolt and just use a normal top cap with the M6 bolt and bung in the bottom convert it into a headlock?

Also if the top cap only takes an M5, wouldn't take much to drill it a bit bigger.

You could get a long M6 bolt from most good hardware / bolt shops, most trading estates have one lurking in a corner somewhere!!

Yea I was thinking about that but it would need to be one helluva bolt at 240mm long.  I've only seen threaded bar that long.  Also, the hex head wouldn't fit into the top cap.

I shall have a look and see if I can find any specialist allen key head versions.

[colin-mck]

Out of interest what don't you trust about star nuts?

A lot people say they are safe as houses etc. but if it starts to slip, that's it knackered.  I love the security of a headlock.  Had a planet x one since I replaced the forks on my combi S and its brilliant.  Strangley its getting difficult to get headlocks - a lot of places are discontinuing stock.

[Te Bheag]

i think the USE Safe-T Headlock thingy is a long bit of M6 threaded bar, maybe one of those would do it?

see here:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=713

I thought BETD did something similar and cheaper, but i can't see it on their site...

EDIT - found it... 2/3 down this page:
http://www.betd.co.uk/items.asp?CategoryID=119&Name=Useful+Little+Bits
it's m6 and £10!

[colin-mck]

Thanks very much Te Bheag, you're a wealth of information!

I had been looking at the USE Safe-T.  I reckon that it or the BETD would be the one to go for in light of the information I stumbled across below:-

For anybody else with this problem - DON'T try to hammer the plug out to fit a headlock - its there for structural reasons!!

see:
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147065

and:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=167338

Therefore a long M6 bolt and top cap will do the job nicely.  There we go - problem sorted in a little over 3 hours - don't ya just love forums!

[mc]

Most head locks use M5 threaded bar.

With pikes, you can add a nut and washer on the end, instead of the usual adapter (an M5 thread will pass through a M6 nut).

Either that, or you try and locate a head lock that uses 6mm rod/bolt.

[strak]

hi colin,
if the star nut starts to slip cant you just knock it out and fit another?
its only to preload the headset whilst you tighter up the stem onto the steerer isnt it - then it can slip all it likes??

many thanks for the spreadsheet by the way its a work of art (as far as excel goes!) must have taken some time that appreciate you sharing 
looking forward to some pics when built up!

[colin-mck]

hi colin,
if the star nut starts to slip cant you just knock it out and fit another?
its only to preload the headset whilst you tighter up the stem onto the steerer isnt it - then it can slip all it likes??

many thanks for the spreadsheet by the way its a work of art (as far as excel goes!) must have taken some time that appreciate you sharing 
looking forward to some pics when built up!

You probably could strak but I hate faffing around with them.  From an engineering point of view it seems like they are a cheap, last minute bodge job, and the fact that its cheap method of setting up your headset is probably the only reason they've been around so long.  It's just a case of preferance - kinda like sram/shimano, cones/cartridge bearings, clip-ins/flatties .... etc.

Your welcome to the spreadsheet.  It took a heck of a lot of research to work it out!  But a lot of the decisions were made using MTBRider forum advice so I'm just another link in the mtber chain, passing on the info.  Use it to good effect and enlighten someone else someday!

Got a serious lack of time atm but I promise piccys of the meta will be on here before Christmas.  Looking at all the parts in boxes sitting in the corner is killing me!

Take it easy
Colin