Bicycle Mechanics - ~200 miles with half a head set... kind of damage?

So I had my local LBS put a head set, Cane Creek S-8, when I built up my bike. Yesterday I developed a squeak. I narrowed it down to the front of the bike. I drop the fork and to find that there's no bottom bearings..... :mad:

I've never had an issue like this, so not sure what kind of damage I have after riding ~200 miles. This headset uses sealed bearing cartridges. Should I worry about "races" being marred? Since bearings don't contact the actual cups that are in the frame, does it matter? Any advice is appreciated.

Seems like a bit more than a squeak should have occurred :). Tear down
and inspection should reveal obvious damage to the parts that were in
contact with each other, which should have been limited to the bearing
cups. If the fork didn't obviously wobble in the headset then the fork
tube should be ok but I would check that as well for abrasion. If the cups
are not much damaged, and being stainless, I would think not much, then
you could drop a bearing in there and ask the LBS for a refund of the install
fee for the headset. If the bearing cups are rolled over or damaged in the
bearing seat the LBS should presumably cough up a replacement set.
Worst case with the fork head tube scraped or damaged... LBS again for
some serious talk. Then there is pain and suffering and PTSD which you
and the headset obviously incurred, sleepless nights thinking about the
horrors of a fork flying off in one direction as you descend at 50mph around
a hairpin and such. If that bothers you Dewey Cheatum and Howe are
available for consultation.

Have you taken this up with your LBS?

Worse case scenario, a new headset.

I just discovered this last night. I'm taking it to the LBS today to see what needs to be done.

Just to make sure, the lower bearing being a sealed cartridge, doesn't look like much of a bearing. Sealed cartridge bearings occasionally squeak between the seal and the outer race. They reason I am asking is that the lower bearing often acts like a spacer also, so if it wasn't there, the lower cup would sit low enough to cut a groove into your fork. You would have noticed that long before now.

Just to make sure, the lower bearing being a sealed cartridge, doesn't look like much of a bearing. Sealed cartridge bearings occasionally squeak between the seal and the outer race. They reason I am asking is that the lower bearing often acts like a spacer also, so if it wasn't there, the lower cup would sit low enough to cut a groove into your fork. You would have noticed that long before now.


I agree. Before you go nuclear on them, make sure that you have reason to, availpunk9. I'm not even sure you could have ridden a mile without the lower bearings. Check the manual (http://www.canecreek.com/images/stories/products/headsets/man_cc_head/S-series_instr_01-10-2005.pdf) for the S-8 before you go talk with them. It might save yourself some embarrassment;)

So ye, I walked in told them the crazy story. They took it apart and yes I had the bottom bearing missing... They were pretty surprised. Our thoughts were that it probably fell out when the fork was being cut. Well in either case they offered to replace the head set for no charge. In the end, I ended up with a King. They split the difference between the two head sets. I couldn't pass on the deal :D I liked how the shop handled it. I guess that's why I keep going back to them.

So ye, I walked in told them the crazy story. They took it apart and yes I had the bottom bearing missing... They were pretty surprised. Our thoughts were that it probably fell out when the fork was being cut. Well in either case they offered to replace the head set for no charge. In the end, I ended up with a King. They split the difference between the two head sets. I couldn't pass on the deal :D I liked how the shop handled it. I guess that's why I keep going back to them.

There you go.

Nicely done.

This is one of those things that when you read it, you think, "No way, far too absurd, OP obviously missed something, etc."

Sure showed me.

In other words the lower cup was riding squarely on the crown race. I guess I can see that happening.

Yeah. It totally must have fell out while the fork was being cut. Time for a new shop.

I liked how the shop handled it. I guess that's why I keep going back to them.
Glad to hear there was no hassle with the shop but I'd never let that particular mechanic touch any bike of mine again if I were you.

I just cannot imagine that kind of incompetence. Does that goober still work there?

In the bike shop I work in there came a range of mid range bikes

one had headset problems
We pulled the forks and the lower bearings were running on the alloy of the headstock.
No hard metal insert put in at the factory

was a scrap frame then.

had to get a new bike for the customer

Glad to hear there was no hassle with the shop but I'd never let that particular mechanic touch any bike of mine again if I were you.

I just cannot imagine that kind of incompetence. Does that goober still work there?

I came in at one of the busiest times/days. The head mechanics were with customers and I didn't feel like waiting. It was one of the part timers that cut the fork. I guess both of us didn't notice the bearing missing. They were really surprised that a head set left their shop that way. I don't doubt their wrenching skills. I like the shop, the owner really strives to make each customer happy.

IMHO, Anyone can make a mistake - even a serious one like this. What I find important is how they act to put it right. That's what makes the difference to me and earns my loyalty as a customer. If you're happy with the outcome. then that says it all. if not, you'll be looking for a new LBS.

By the way, when I first read your posting I also thought - he doesn't know what the bearing looks like, it must be there, it would.t work at all without it - BOY WAS I WRONG !!!!