Bicycle Mechanics - headset installation question

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Suttree
08-25-08, 11:32 AM
Here's a question for any savvy mechanics out there. Thanks in advance
if you take the time to consider this situation.

I have a bike that I ride for commuting and on rollers. Considering
that I put a lot of mileage on the rollers and rely on it for my
primary form of exercise I decided to get a King headset. I went
to one LBS and they installed it. They failed to notice that the
spacer for the front brake stuck up just enough that the bottom
race didn't seat against the fork and was cockeyed--so I noticed
it later and they redid it with a diff spacer. Then a friend of mine who is a bit OCD
was like "did they face it, did they chase it," etc. I don't know if
this was done the first time but they did chase the headtube slightly.
As for facing I don't know. I had one shop look at it and they just
pressed the cups slightly to make sure they were snug and they said
it "looked fine." It feels fine.

So the question is, if the headtube was not faced properly what are the consequences?
Will this ovalize the headtube? Will it lead to a shimmy? This frame isn't high end
but it is worth taking care of (tigged Reynolds 631). Once a shop does a crappy job
it kinda makes me question everything else they touch. Next time I am going
to pay very close attention to the installation and ask more questions.

mmerner
08-25-08, 03:02 PM
Since you seem it say this headset is a replacement, and the old headset was fine, the new one will be fine.

I've installed a few headsets and never faced the head tube (new and old frames) and it's never been a problem.

I'm starting to think the facing thing is just a kick back from the old days when frames weren't made or painted so well?
G piny parnas
08-25-08, 03:32 PM
the bike shop--- well, with time and money the way it is today--- why didn't they notice this? these are so-called pros--- kings are well made--- but if any quality part goes on wrong--- things could get damaged--- I've stopped dealing with mass produced crap and mass produced technicians--- its a shame--- but we learn by mistake----
I tend to feel from the above responses that nothing has been permanently damaged-- you caught it ---
a good tech with good machining skills ( if he likes bikes and rides a quality machine) will make sure surfaces are straight and clean----- I hope america will start improving their product and nourish smarter techs!

Suttree
08-25-08, 05:00 PM
the bike shop--- well, with time and money the way it is today--- why didn't they notice this? these are so-called pros--- kings are well made--- but if any quality part goes on wrong--- things could get damaged--- I've stopped dealing with mass produced crap and mass produced technicians--- its a shame--- but we learn by mistake----
I tend to feel from the above responses that nothing has been permanently damaged-- you caught it ---
a good tech with good machining skills ( if he likes bikes and rides a quality machine) will make sure surfaces are straight and clean----- I hope america will start improving their product and nourish smarter techs!

I totally agree. Part of it may be that we undervalue blue collar work--I'd pay more if I knew
that the mechanics were well trained and saw their job as a serious endeavor. I rely on my
bikes for getting enough exercise, and thus keeping my sanity. That and commuting plus
the general joy that cycling brings me.
z415
08-25-08, 07:26 PM
I totally agree. Part of it may be that we undervalue blue collar work--I'd pay more if I knew
that the mechanics were well trained and saw their job as a serious endeavor.

Exactly - I had typed up a whole rant about it, but then realized this is BIKEforums and not the best medium to whine about politics and economics and such. Classes started and it makes me angry.
dabac
08-26-08, 02:35 AM
.. Part of it may be that we undervalue blue collar work--I'd pay more if I knew that the mechanics were well trained and saw their job as a serious endeavor.

The equation is simple: "good enough and as fast as possible" brings in more money than "fast enough and as good as possible", and everybody has to make a living.
It's one thing wishing for more dedicated mechs and bike builders, but how many are willing to pay the premium it'd carry?

I know for a fact that there are a number of things I can build considerably better myself than the average hired help. But I'm sticking with my day job because there aren't enough people out there who'd appreciate the fine differences to the point where they'd be ready to pay enough to make it a sustainable venture for me.
z415
08-26-08, 06:08 AM
The equation is simple: "good enough and as fast as possible" brings in more money than "fast enough and as good as possible", and everybody has to make a living.
It's one thing wishing for more dedicated mechs and bike builders, but how many are willing to pay the premium it'd carry?

I know for a fact that there are a number of things I can build considerably better myself than the average hired help. But I'm sticking with my day job because there aren't enough people out there who'd appreciate the fine differences to the point where they'd be ready to pay enough to make it a sustainable venture for me.

I would think more people would and can pay the premium if they got the same treatment themselves.