Bicycle Mechanics - Devinci Headset - Assembly Help

Hi All,

On returning home from my LBS after getting the stem on my 2005 Devinci Millenium shortened, I noticed that the bolt in the center of the headset was missing. Seeing a hole there was similar to seeing someone with a missing front tooth.

Returning to the shop, they were at a loss to tell me what part actually fit in that location, explaining that the bolt inside about an inch down made the headset secure. Their solution was to put a dab of silicon in the hole!

I can't believe for a minute that Devinci would make an assembly like this. But I'm at a loss because I hadn't ridden the bike that much owing to the 100mm stem that had me stretched out way to far. So far, Devinci has not returned my query and I've pretty much given up on my LBS.

Does anyone have any ideas for this type of headset? It's an 'FSA'-type if that helps.

Any help appreciated.

Phil

I guess that I don't understand what you are talking about. The thumbnails that you attached show all three of the bolts that connect the stem to the fork steerer tube. What do you think might be missing?

Thx for the reply. Actually, the top bolt isn't visible because it's covered by a dollop of silicon. Underneath the silicon, there is a bolt about 1 1/2" down. I was loath to ride in wet conditions with a gaping hole in my headset so my LBS put in the silicon. But that can't be right. I do know that the top cap, with the FSA print, unscrews to reveal the inner side of the headset.

Could the solution be as simple as a longer bolt?

Phil

Thx for the reply. Actually, the top bolt isn't visible because it's covered by a dollop of silicon. Underneath the silicon, there is a bolt about 1 1/2" down. I was loath to ride in wet conditions with a gaping hole in my headset so my LBS put in the silicon. But that can't be right. I do know that the top cap, with the FSA print, unscrews to reveal the inner side of the headset.

Could the solution be as simple as a longer bolt?

Phil

I'm still not sure what you are talking about.

Threadless headsets seem to me to be a bit crude but they work just fine. A jam nut is forced down the fork's steerer tube. A bolt through the top cap into the jam nut is used to adjust the preload on the headset bearings. Finally tightening the stem clamp bolts holds the whole thing together.

I'm puzzled too.

You say the FSA-labeled top cap unscrews? All of the threadless headsets I'm familiar with, including an FSA Orbit XL, the top cap is held in place by the compression bolt. If the bolt is removed, the top cap would just come off too.

Does the bolt you say is 1-1/2" down actually tighten against something or is it just loosly screwed into the star nut or compression plug.

Thx again for your time,

I've attached two more pics. One shows the locking bolt inside at a depth of about 1 1/2" The FSA cap has a neck about 5/8" in length, is threaded on the inside and screws down on the body in the headset that encompassess the locking bolt. The cap center hole is a 6-sided hexagon-shape which suggests to me that screwing in a longer bolt would be difficult.

I hope that I've provided enough info and I'm obliged for everyones' efforts. I'll certainly provide more if necessary.

Regards,

Sorta looks like an assembly for a carbon steerer, only not. How does the top cap attach? Does it screw to where the inner bolt is recessed? Is there a star nut in the fork steerer? Or is that in fact an expander assembly for a carbon steerer?

Thx again for your time,

I've attached two more pics. One shows the locking bolt inside at a depth of about 1 1/2" The FSA cap has a neck about 5/8" in length, is threaded on the inside and screws down on the body in the headset that encompassess the locking bolt. The cap center hole is a 6-sided hexagon-shape which suggests to me that screwing in a longer bolt would be difficult.

I hope that I've provided enough info and I'm obliged for everyones' efforts. I'll certainly provide more if necessary.

Regards,
Okay. I suggest you go buy a book or go to Park's website to learn more about bicycle parts. I don't think you understand what headset is and does.

Okay. I suggest you go buy a book or go to Park's website to learn more about bicycle parts. I don't think you understand what headset is and does.
:rolleyes: apparently you(and his shop) don't know the difference between a starnut/top cap combo, and an expander for a carbon fork. In fact it kinda frightens me that his shop dosen't know what's going on if this is in fact the case. Can't really tell from the blurry pics, but it must be the problem, there really is no other explaination.

:rolleyes: apparently you(and his shop) don't know the difference between a starnut/top cap combo, and an expander for a carbon fork. In fact it kinda frightens me that his shop dosen't know what's going on if this is in fact the case. Can't really tell from the blurry pics, but it must be the problem, there really is no other explaination.
Oh...plz~~I'll cut the BS. Don't overestimate what you think you know.

Don't overestimate what you think you know.
so what other explaination do you have old wise sage of the shop? There are two ways of adjusting a threadless headset, unless you have developed a third in all your resourceful wisdom.

VW,

I googled your guess at what might be my problem and I found a picture of my 'top cap'. :) (earlier attempts for my specific part were for naught)


From the website: "These Top Caps are specifically designed to minimize damage to forks with carbon steer tubes, as a safer alternative to star-flanged nuts. Compatible with 1 1/8" carbon steer tubes. Includes top cap, adjuster bolt and expander. Weight 34grams. "

so what other explaination do you have old wise sage of the shop? There are two ways of adjusting a threadless headset, unless you have developed a third in all your resourceful wisdom.
I was just trying to help the OP, but now, I lost my motivation to help. vwaddict, what's with you and the personal attack? I'm too old for that crap and BS. Good luck to y'all. Hope you find a solution.:rolleyes:

VW,

The cap screws down and around the bolt assembly. I Googled the term you used and found a picture of a FSA 'top cap' similar to mine. Earlier attempts were for naught.

From the web: "These Top Caps are specifically designed to minimize damage to forks with carbon steer tubes, as a safer alternative to star-flanged nuts. Compatible with 1 1/8" carbon steer tubes. Includes top cap, adjuster bolt and expander. Weight 34grams. "

It scares me too that my LBS can't seem to solve the problem. I bought the '05 bike at a spring warehouse sale earlier this year for a really great price. The LBS is a is a chain of 5 family owned stores and not a by any stretch a big box store. Bikes are but one part of their product line. Hmmmm.

My enthusiam for cycling is not, unfortunately matched by my knowledge of the inner workings of modern bikes. I suppose I'll go to my LBS that sold me my Trek two years ago. Their service is probably the best in the city. $$?

Treker, if you have an aluminuum steerer I would suggest going to the standard starnut/top cap assembly. The expander is designed for a carbon fork, and I have never seen one used in a aluminum steerer assembly(so not sure if it will hold/work). Don't be put off by people telling you that you have no idea what you are talking about and you should go to a website and research it. There are plenty on here that actually know what they are talking about and are willing to help.

VW,
Thx. I have a carbon fork so the top cap description seems accurate for my configuration. I'm just at a loss to explain what hex-shaped bolt (or whatever) covers the hole.

the fork may be carbon, but the steerer tube looks aluminum(this is common, my road bike has the same configuration) Looks like from the pics you have a aluminum steerer tube. The hex shape on the top cap is used to adjust the headset tighter or looser. The inner recessed hex is only to tighten the expandeing nut against the walls of the steerer tube. That acts as the starnut in a carbon steerer.

VW,

Thx. Again. It's beginng to gel (slowly). I appreciate your advice. I'll talk to the other LBS and get them to fix it. Properly. They're so backed up it might take a month. :-(

Thanks to everone who queried my situation and offered adivce. Your help is very much appreciated.

See if this helps any:

http://www.salsacycles.com/pdf/SalsaCarbonSteerer.pdf

That seems to be my exact configuration. But I can't tell from the diagram what, if anything, covers the hole in the top of the top cap? Am I missing something completely obvious?

Thx

nothing covers that hole, you stick a 6mm hex in there to adjust the headset preload.