If you have a bike with a straight steerer and want to upgrade to a tapered steerer, there are a few things you need to know. First, you need to know the difference between the two. A straight steerer is exactly what it sounds like – straight.
A tapered steerer is tapered, meaning it is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The benefits of a tapered steerer are that it is stiffer and stronger than a straight steerer. It is also lighter weight.
If you are planning on upgrading your bike to a tapered steerer, you will need to buy a new fork. Your old fork will not work with a tapered steerer. You will also need to buy a new headset.
The bearings in a headset for a straight steerer will not fit in a tapered steerer. You will need to buy new bearings that are specific for a tapered steerer.
Upgrading to a tapered steerer is not a difficult process, but it is important to know what you need to do before you start.
With the right parts and a little bit of know-how, you can upgrade your bike and enjoy the benefits of a tapered steerer.
- Remove the existing steerer from the bicycle frame
- Cut the steerer to the desired length using a saw
- Install the new tapered steerer in the frame
- Secure the steerer in place with the appropriate size headset
Can you put straight steerer to tapered?
In short, no. A tapered steerer is significantly larger in diameter at the crown than a straight steerer, so a straight-steerer fork would not be able to fit. In addition, the two have different thread standards, so even if you could somehow force the two together, the threads would not line up and you would not be able to screw the stem in place.
Can I use straight fork to a tapered frame?
There are a few things to consider when deciding whether to use a straight or tapered fork on your frame. The most important factor is the material of your frame. If your frame is made of steel, then you will want to use a steel fork.
If your frame is made of aluminum, then you will want to use an aluminum fork. The other factor to consider is the width of your frame. A wider frame will require a tapered fork, while a narrower frame can use either a straight or tapered fork.
If you are unsure which fork to use, it is always best to consult with your local bike shop. They will be able to help you choose the best fork for your frame material and width.
Can I install tapered fork to straight head tube?
One of the most common questions we get here at the shop is whether or not a customer can install a tapered fork on a frame with a straight headtube. The simple answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind before doing so.
For starters, a tapered fork will have a larger diameter at the crown than a straight fork, so you’ll need to make sure your frame has enough clearance to accommodate the larger fork.
If you’re unsure, your best bet is to measure the inside diameter of your frame’s headtube and compare it to the outside diameter of the fork’s crown. If there’s more than a few millimeters of difference, you should be good to go.
Another thing to keep in mind is that a tapered fork will usually have a tapered steerer tube, which means it will be narrower at the top than a straight steerer tube.
This means you’ll need to use a headset with a tapered internal diameter to fit the fork. Most modern headsets are available in both tapered and straight versions, so this shouldn’t be a problem.
Once you have the correct headset, installing a tapered fork on a frame with a straight headtube is a relatively straightforward process.
Just make sure you have the right tools and follow the instructions that come with your fork. If you’re not comfortable doing the work yourself, we’d be happy to do it for you at the shop.
Can you use tapered headset without tapered frame?
There are many types of headsets for bicycles, and each type has advantages and disadvantages. The most common type of headset is the threaded headset, which has an outer shell that threads onto the frame’s head tube. Threaded headsets are easy to install and adjust, and they’re compatible with most frames.
Another type of headset is the press-fit headset, which has an outer shell that’s pressed into the frame’s head tube. Press-fit headsets are also easy to install and adjust, but they’re not as compatible with all frames.
So, can you use a tapered headset without a tapered frame?
The answer is yes, but it’s not recommended. Tapered headsets are designed to be used with tapered frames, and they will work with non-tapered frames, but they won’t work as well. Tapered headsets have a larger diameter at the bottom than at the top, and they’re tapered to match the tapered head tubes found on most modern frames.
If you use a tapered headset on a non-tapered frame, the headset will sit too high in the head tube and will be less stable than it would be on a tapered frame. So, while you can use a tapered headset without a tapered frame, it’s not the best idea.

Credit: electricbike-blog.com
1 1/8 to tapered steerer adapter
If you have a 1 1/8″ steerer tube on your bike, but your fork has a tapered steerer, you can use an adapter to make the two compatible. This is a simple part that screws into the top of your steerer tube, and has a tapered steerer tube that fits into your fork.
This adapter is a great solution if you have an older bike with a 1 1/8″ steerer tube, and you want to upgrade to a newer fork with a tapered steerer.
It’s also a good option if you’re buying a used bike, and you’re not sure what size steerer tube it has.
Be sure to get the right size adapter for your steerer tube. There are two common sizes: 1 1/8″ to 1.5″ and 1 1/8″ to 1 1/8″.
If you have a 1 1/8″ steerer tube, you need the 1 1/8″ to 1.5″ adapter. If you have a 1.5″ steerer tube, you need the 1 1/8″ to 1 1/8″ adapter.
Installing the adapter is easy. Just screw it into the top of your steerer tube, and then slide your fork’s steerer tube into the adapter.
Once the steerer tube is in place, you can install your stem and handlebars as usual.
Conclusion
If you have a straight steerer fork and want to use a tapered headset and frame, you can usually make it work with a few spacers. You’ll need to use a few more spacers on the top of the headset to take up the extra space, and you may need to use a shim on the bottom of the steerer tube to make it fit snugly in the frame. With a little patience, you can usually make a straight steerer fork work with a tapered frame.
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