I had my bike power coated and bought a few new parts for it. Had it put back together at the lbs (mistake).

When I got it back the guy at the shop said there were 2 stem spacers that he couldnt fit, and that the steer tube may be shorter than the forks I had on before. We looked at the stem and determined that the stem was thicker and that was where the space went. But after riding it I realized my bars were WAY LOW. Someone suggested that the bike shop may have cut the steer tube at the shop (no idea why they would do that) I took it apart to inspect. It doesn't look as if its been cut, and the guy at the shop said he didn't cut it. The only explanation is that the DK race Rt Forks are just short. Has anyone else had this problem?

I orderd some 8.5" rise bars to make up the diff.

I have a set of RT 24's on my son's bike and I thought the steer tube was short. Seems like I've read that in other posts on here as well.

Riddler posted about Dk R/T forks in this post saying they have short steerer tube

check it out

i have been looking for forks so i have been reading up on the forum

http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/index....wtopic=27025968


Tosborne posted about the DK R/T forks in this post saying they have short steerer tube

http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/index....30154&st=40

Alright! Thanks for the info, I guess they are shorter! I guess that's how they shaved the weight off.... By actually shaving weight off!

They are short . Had to buy a different stem to get bar height. Had to chuckle one day, had someone look at my bike and say bought a tangent stem to compensate for the short headtube on those DK forks. Three of us had same combo. They need to make the top tube longer. Most I have seen use a tangent or and old DK stem to compinsate oruse no shims.

Yes they are shorter than normal. I was going to use a FSA Ozzy stem, but it was way too tall. I went back to a older DK stem. Didn't like it. So now I use a S&M race 53mm with I believe 1 short spacer, I also have to run one on top for the cap. I like it now. But yes they are short. Good luck.

Most of the new school forka are way shorter than they used to be. S&M forks are shorter. It kinda sucks... Even the Sunday, which are relatively long, are shorter than the old race S&M that I had...
looks like the Odyssey are still pretty long.

All the forks you listed have a grand total of 1mm difference in steerer tube length. S&M forks aren't shorter, you've just hit your head a few too many times.

S&M race fork steer tubes are 10mm taller then the S&M pitchfork xlt.

I would get a different fork before I replaced my stem...

dans is now listing all the steerer tube lengths, as well as overall height. pretty interesting. You can see exactly where alot of em are getting their smaller weights.... and why bigger guys like me are running into troubles.
I am not a fan of Dans at all, but at leat they are doiing that... of course who knows if it is entirely correct, their weights definitely are not...

I read somewhere that the dk fork was to be used with integrated headset frame only.

Mx Mug

Last night my Shadow Vultus bars arrived 8.5"rise. I put them on and all is well! They are lighter than the S&M race bars too. (according to Dans???)

Here is a pic of the finished product.

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

another angle

My R/T Forks work great on my Octane Frame, whick has an integrated headset, but the steer tube is short. I went away from using a front load Thomson Stem to using a top loading Series 1 Snap Stem. The Snap made a great combo for this fork.

I like the forks, and now that I got the taller bars everything is cool.

My bike is an 08 Gt Power series XL. It has an Internal headset and there are no issues with the forks (other than they are 1/4 inch shorter than most).

Sounds like all of the race cromo forks are short now. It makes it so you haft to make your adjustments with the stem and bars, sort of sucks.
I just switched my son to S&M race forks on both bikes this year and he loves them but, coming off Bombshell and carbon Sins expert forks that had a long head tube to make adjustments as the kid grows was a nice option.

the old models of DK R/T forks had a steertube that was like 5 inch range. way too short and i know more than one person that got stung with those and got rid of them right away. i believe these forks were made for the freesyle market and not actually developed for racers in spite of there name. check out the new version of DK R/T forks out now...they have a 6+ inch steer tube nowadays.
look at the DK R/T frame...what does a 13-14" rear triangle, 14mm dropouts, and 990 mounts have to do with racing this day in age? lol...not much.

I noticed that too but despite the R/T namesake I believe the forks were meant to be run with the Octane frame, which is a racing frame thru and thru.

Good to know. I was about to get those forks, I still might but it's good to know what i'm in for.

i have run every sort of r/t forks available. one of the first pairs built, then a new set last year, as well as the new r/t forks that just hit the shelves.

I am 6' 2", i run a new dk top load stem, but i used to use the shadow stem, as well as the old dk stem.

i have two 5mm spacers under my stem, and the fork comes up flush with the top of my stem. im not doubting that anyone has had trouble with their set ups,..just saying that im tall and it works for me!!

also helps that i have 8 5/8" tall bars.

RUN the DK forks! the new colors (black, team green, CHROME) are awesome. great price, great weight, and i have SMASHED myself pretty nicely quite a few times with these forks and they are standing strong!!

The new DK "Race" forks do have a longer steer tube (165mm) compared the original R/T's (140mm).

Head tube length may also play a factor in what you can run, they can vary slightly. I have an Octane (115mm headtube) with (2) 10mm spacers and a 10 year old DK ahead with the R/T's.

nothing better than bright green forks