Bicycle Mechanics - LBS said my steerer tube needs to be filed to install headset. BS? Is this common?

Ok so i'm building up a bike myself. I got an aluminum frame with an intergrated headset headtube. Bought a Cane Creek integrated headset, new. Everything is new. Got a carbon fork off ebay, the Zeus Ziccs one. Seems nice. I didn't feel comfortable installing this myself and don't have headset tools, so I go to my LBS and ask them what I should do if they do it, how much, etc. Dude said $20-25 to install headset. Then he take out the race and puts it over the steerer tube, and sais that the fork crown needs to be filed down to install it, that he doesn't want to do that, and that it'd be an extra $35 if I really wanted them to do it.

Is he an idiot? BS'ing me? Lazy? Is my fork ******** and flawed?

How hard is it to install an in-headset myself? doesnt it just fall in? But i heard that the crown race needs to be professionally installed.

Please teach me, help me.

I love files, but the very last place I'd ever use a file was on the crown seat of a carbon steerer. These are produced to size and shouldn't ever need filing or milling (except for those with a metal ring at the crown seat).

Before doing anything else I'd check the diameter at the seat with a caliper. It should be 30.05mm to allow for a bit of interference with a 30.00 crown. If it's anywhere between 30.02 and 30.07 it's within spec. If it doesn't measure to spec contact the fork maker before going any farther.

The crown race is a press fit to the fork. If it is a 1" steer tube there are 2 sizes 26.4 and 27.0 and to ream it down to 26.4 is a pain, requires brute strength to save it down. If it is 1 1/8" then there is only 1 crown race size however some of the carbon forks are reinforced above the crown and This shop might not have the right park tool to install it. I use the Chris King tools for the race and park makes a pipe that goes over this to pound it on with as apposed to a glorified slide hammer type crown race installer ( this one usually doesn't fit most carbon).

Carbon fork with steel steerer tube. Its 1 1/8. I'm going to measure it tomorrow. Not sure where the measuring tool is right now.

So sounds like the guy doesn't know his stuff? I'm going to take it to another LBS around here and ask them.

Carbon fork with steel steerer tube. Its 1 1/8. I'm going to measure it tomorrow. Not sure where the measuring tool is right now. ...



Don't forget what you're measuring. 1-1/8 is the nominal size and most of the steerer will be very close to that (there's a tolerance), but the crown seat will be larger with a 30.00mm nominal, and an actual .02-.07mm larger to provide for the interference fit.

Ok but it shouldn't have to be filed down right? Should just be able to take the crown race with an appropriate tool. I know its supposed to be tight sitting on it, needing a tool to do the job, and any LBS should be able to do this. But filing it down? I can't believe it.

It is quite possible the crown race needs facing.

http://www.canecreek.com/tech-headsets?view=video&video=HS%20Install2.flv

Facing a fork steering tube does two things. It brings the crown race tube diameter area with spec for a press fit AND assures that the seating surface is square to the steering tube. Otherwise the bearings will not seat properly.

Is it common to have to do that? Part of the answer to that question depends on who makes the fork and whos doing the instalation. Some techs will just slap things together regardless and some companies selling on the Internet will pass that expense on to the assembler.

Personally I`ve had to face both Kona and DT Swiss forks (steel and carbon steering tubes) on ocassion due to factory oversights. Anythings possible.

Update: I went to another LBS, a better one, and the guys did it no problem, said they had to do a little work to it, I assume facing it. Charged me $16 after tax. Bam. Getting most of the parts next week so bike should be done soon!