bolt size on Nitto 32f mini front rack

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Drw

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May 3, 2021, 5:11:01 PM5/3/21
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Can someone confirm the size/threading of the bolt that goes into the fork crown on the nitto 32f? 

I have a fork with a hole tapped for M6 on the front end, but no hole on the back, so I'd need to thread it directly into that hole

Thanks,
Drew

Bill Lindsay

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May 3, 2021, 5:50:00 PM5/3/21
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Drew 

I'm 98% sure that the bolt on the Nitto 32F is M6 x 1.0mm, which is standard for virtually all M6 threads on bicycles, including cantilever bosses, the larger rack bosses on some Rivs, seat bolts on Rivs, lots of other things...

Now, if you have a threaded M6 x 1.0mm hole in the front face of your fork crown, then in principle you could thread that rack bolt into that hole.  At the moment you get it started, the rack will be out in front of the fork about 1-1/2" too far out in front.  As you thread it in the rack will get closer to the fork.  When the existing threads run out the rack will still be sitting about an inch too far forward.  Then what?  Will you just bend everything as much as you need to bend things to get the rack legs to reach the fork?  I think you would end up with something really badly bent and contorted, won't be anywhere close to level, will have the tombstone way farther away from the fork as ideal, and won't be 'tight' threaded in that hole.  You could handle the 'tightness' problem by backing out the rack a few turns and leaving room for a locknut.  That would solve one of three problems and make the other two worse.

Alternatively you could maybe get into the thread cutting game and try to thread the rack bolt much further down its length.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

Drw

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May 3, 2021, 5:56:01 PM5/3/21
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Ah. good point. This is a problem I hadn't thought through. Im not opposed to cutting, but being a perpetual rack switcher makes me think ill likely sell it, and a chopped off bolt wont make it too desirable. 

Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY

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May 3, 2021, 6:10:38 PM5/3/21
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I'm a little confused and curious, having never seen a 6mm threaded hole on the front of a fork crown, but assuming the fork's not built of something other than metal, wouldn't it be so easy and satisfying to drill out the threading and continue out of the back of the fork, enabling "normal" use of that threaded mount? That way it would be easy to install, and easy to remove when you want to sell it.
-Kai

Drw

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May 3, 2021, 6:53:13 PM5/3/21
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The thought crossed my mind. Ive never drilled through expensive steel before. I assume you'd go from the front? how do you not mess up those threads?

Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY

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May 3, 2021, 10:37:17 PM5/3/21
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Definitely go through the front because that's going to be your guide for the back, and those threads are messing everything up, so they need to get messed up!, as in, erased. Just enough gone to allow the rack's bolt through without bother. 
-Kai
Side note/ask, why do some crowns come with a threaded hole on one side? That can't be a good way to attach a brake, right? The strength of a caliper brake mount comes from the throughboltedness of it, yes? Losing 3/4" worth of bolt on a brake mount would not be a good way to shed precious grams, so why? Dedicated light mount?

Eric Norris

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May 3, 2021, 10:58:23 PM5/3/21
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A fork crown intended for use on a fork with brazed-on brake mounts (cantis or centerpulls) might be made differently, since the hole in the crown doesn’t need to accommodate a through bolt.

--Eric Norris
campyo...@me.com
Insta: @CampyOnlyGuy
YouTube: YouTube.com/CampyOnlyGuy 

Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY

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May 3, 2021, 11:15:25 PM5/3/21
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That's certainly the case, but why? The only thing I can think that'd be good for is a light mount, and two holes is as better for a light mount as it is for everything else I can imagine, so I'm left wondering. 
-Kai
A note for Drew, in case you do decide to drill that out, best to use a centering punch that fits inside the threads so you can start with a smaller drill bit and go bigger until you hit that sweet spot where you're clearing out the threads up front and making the final pass out the back with the rack then sliding through effortlessly. With oil of course, and a wee bit of abandon.


Eric Norris

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May 3, 2021, 11:37:40 PM5/3/21
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If you don’t use a daruma for the front fender, having threads on the back side of the fork crown is perfect for a bolt through a fender bracket.

Or, getting a little “old school,” you could mount a tire sweeper back there.


--Eric Norris
campyo...@me.com
Insta: @CampyOnlyGuy
YouTube: YouTube.com/CampyOnlyGuy 
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Drw

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May 3, 2021, 11:47:40 PM5/3/21
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Yeah, its on a disc fork. I assume the hole is for a light or for the more normal mark’s rack style fork crown bracket thing. 

RichS

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May 4, 2021, 5:30:30 PM5/4/21
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Drew,

Save yourself some stress and either sell or trade the 32f for a Mark's rack with diving board. 

Best,
Rich in ATL
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