keevohn

Dumb headset question here:

I recently had my LBS install a new fork on my road bike. I supplied them with the fork (Reynolds Ouzo Pro Integrated), the frame with headset already installed (Syncros Hardcore, non-integrated style) and the Syncros crown race. When I received the bike back, I noticed that there was a gap of at least 4mm between the top of the fork crown and the bottom of the lower headset cup. After tightening down the headset and riding the bike around the block, the headset had loosened up and about 3mm of gap remained. I readjusted the headset before my ride into work this morning, but unfortunately the headset was loose again by the time I got to work (about six miles).

Is it possible that my LBS installed the crown race upside down? The only reason I think this is because the fork I previously had installed on the bike (a non-integrated style Weyless carbon fork) sat pretty much flush with the lower cup of the Syncros headset, and I never had problems with the headset loosening up during a ride. I've never seen a fork with a 3-4mm gap between the crown and the lower cup, especially not on integrated-style forks. Furthermore, I can see that the taper of the crown race is pointing down towards the fork crown, rather than up into the headset cup as I would expect.

If it helps, I can take a few pictures. Thanks in advance.

Stacey

Sounds like maybe... but only a dolt would do something like that.

I just did forks and headset on my MTB this weekend and it was quite evident which was the crown race went on, as you said taper up.

Pictures would be priceless. A trip to the service manager at the LBS is warranted too.

keevohn

Unfortunately it was the owner of the shop that installed the crown race. I've disagreed with him on a number of things before, but I'd hate to think he's mechanically incompetent.

Stacey

Yeah, me too. 'Specially if it was my bike he was working on. Who knows, maybe he had a blonde moment or you might think about finding another shop. Should be plenty of 'em in "the 'burgh".

As I mentioned before. Pics would help.

HillRider

This pretty much assures the crown race is upside down. The shop owner may be a good mechanic most of the time but I think he had a "senior moment" this time.

roadfix

I agree.

The top of your integrated fork should practically be flush with the bottom headset cup.

vpiuva

I would think it difficult to install the race upside down, but there's a first time for everything. I can see that cartridge bearings could be installed upside down, though.

HillRider

It would require not paying attention but there is no mechanical reason a crown race can't go on upside down just as easily as right side up. Why it wasn't noticed right away is what I can't understand.

Cartridge or retainer bearings are easy to install upside down. I'm sure everyone who works on headsets has done it at least once.