Originally Posted by
gaucho777
Honestly, I still haven't made up my mind. Sure, I am leaning toward the facing option since it will allow likely allow me to use the headset and/or not require the purchase of a new fork with longer steerer. I did spend a couple hours looking into new forks yesterday. I asked because I wanted people's opinions, and thought someone might say "No, facing's not necessary, all you have to do is X, Y, or Z and the you'll gain the extra 1-2mm."
And, to boot, before I do anything, my first step is now to see if the ball bearings I have are too large.
from Sutherlands: the 7400 uses 22 balls, 3/16"D but the 7600 (and the others with shorter SH) uses 25 balls, 5/32"D and the gain (or loss) in SH is around 3mm...the 7600 has SH of 31mm, your 7400 is 36.7mm and the Sante is 33.4mm and just for the record, the Ultegra 600, HP6400 is 33.8mm, and the 105 HP1055 is 33.3. I wouldn't balk at removing just a mm or so from the HT, and it sounds like this is all you really need, but more than that would stop me. YRMV, but you're always better off if you can achieve desired results without milling.