loose headset on new carbon frame
10-17-11, 07:38 AM
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loose headset on new carbon frame
I purchased a Chinese carbon frame and was assembling it. Great first experience but one thing I cant figure out. The fork seems ever so slightly loose from the frame. The headset cups just sat in they didn't need to be pressed. Also, the top is strange. It expands from the inside instead of pulls up like every other headset ive seen. It is a neroco headset with a tapered headtube. Any ideas?
10-17-11, 07:43 AM
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Um, tighten it? I have a chinese frame with a simlar headset (mine is campy standard, which is what many generic chinese frames use) and an expander plug. The bolt in the plug both expands the plug and preloads the bearings. Loosen the stem clamp on the steerer slightly and tighten the expander until the play is gone. I test the preload by holding the front end up and letting the bars fall to one side. If they don't move, you have too much preload. When you are done adjusting, make sure the bars are straight and torque the stem bolts.
10-17-11, 08:54 AM
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I've had issues with expander plugs pulling up within the steerer when I've been pre-loading the headset bearings...To solve this I have removed the expander plug, lightly coated the inside of the steerer with carbon prep paste, re-installed the expander plug and the headset has snugged up nice and tight...
10-17-11, 12:02 PM
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quick and easy way for me, which works for all headsets - vintage and threadless
hold bike with hands on hoods.
'lock' the front wheel using the brake (keep rear brake off)
quick back & forth motion as if trying to roll bike forward and back...
if you get a slight feel of 'play' (sortta noiseless clunk), headset is too loose.
if no 'play', then
lift front wheel a little and check side to side - if notchy, way bad
if smooth and light touch - good
you're done
if notchy, back off on headset tension until it disappears and you don;t get 'clunk' from back & forth test...
if feel goes from 'clunk' directly to notchy side-side:
a. if old style loose ball headset - check both top and bottom race for bearing marks - you may have brinnelled races - replace as needed.
make sure headset has good bearing lubrication, especially the bottom race.
b. if sealedbearing headset - check sealedbearing for wear- check races, you might need new bearings...
... if you don't grok this - take to shop or find bonefide vintage rider - olde pharte, he'll likely know how this works...
hold bike with hands on hoods.
'lock' the front wheel using the brake (keep rear brake off)
quick back & forth motion as if trying to roll bike forward and back...
if you get a slight feel of 'play' (sortta noiseless clunk), headset is too loose.
if no 'play', then
lift front wheel a little and check side to side - if notchy, way bad
if smooth and light touch - good
you're done
if notchy, back off on headset tension until it disappears and you don;t get 'clunk' from back & forth test...
if feel goes from 'clunk' directly to notchy side-side:
a. if old style loose ball headset - check both top and bottom race for bearing marks - you may have brinnelled races - replace as needed.
make sure headset has good bearing lubrication, especially the bottom race.
b. if sealedbearing headset - check sealedbearing for wear- check races, you might need new bearings...
... if you don't grok this - take to shop or find bonefide vintage rider - olde pharte, he'll likely know how this works...
10-17-11, 12:25 PM
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this looks like the head set I have. Sealed I think
https://flyxii.com/products_1.asp?menuid=318&id=523
https://flyxii.com/products_1.asp?menuid=318&id=523
10-17-11, 12:42 PM
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Well from your description looks like u have a expander instead of a starnut. Makes sense tho, why? maybe the carbon fork u have uses a carbon steering tube, right? If the answer is yes then u are kind'a ok. Now the biggest problem with those expanders is the diameter that expands, some dont expand too much to grab the steering tube really well. If that's the case u need to get another one.
Now the headset, sure the compression washer is in the right position???
Now the headset, sure the compression washer is in the right position???
