Help! Integrated headset with *two* compression rings?
 

So I have a Raleigh XPC Pro Cyclocross frameset.

It's all built up now but there is movement in the headset.

It's a *tapered* head tube so there are the two cartridge bearings of different sizes of course. A dust cap and *two* compression rings (see attachment foreground part only, the cartridge bearings are different size in my situation). Each ring is 1 1/8 inch (i.e. designed to fit above the head tube)

Some threads (i.e. https://forums.roadbikereview.com/co...et-122883.html) suggest its a spare and to leave it out, but I get play in the headset if I do.

Clearly the ring on the left goes into the top bearing cartridge, but I can't figure it out where the other goes?

Suggestions?https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...04ee22a1cc.jpg

The ring on the left looks like a crown seat located one and not a compression one. If I am correct the split in the left ring allows for some tolerance of the ring's fit onto the crown seat (carbon frames and forks are not known for their maintaining tight dimensional tolerances). It's wider angles lower surface will locate the lower stack's bearing, likely this angle is a 45* or 36*, the two most common seating angles for headsets. The right ring has a much steeper angle that is across the entire ring's height. This is far more like the usual compression ring that fits within the upper stack's bearing seating part (which also will have that 45* or 36* angle). The steep angle on this ring better centers the seating part and keeps it from rocking. (The crown ring has a flat surface is sits on as well as the vertical surface in the steerer. The upper has only the steerer so need greater contact with that surface). Andy

Thanks
 

Thank you Andrew, I know your very knowledgable about this topics.

But the problem is that this is a tapered headset so both silver rings only fit on the upper cartridge bearing.

I think what you were saying is that the ring on the left fits on top of the crown of the fork? But I don't see how it can fit unless the gap in the ring becomes very very big.

Thanks again.

I didn't say my description was the answer to the loose headset, just to have you better understand what was in front of you.

Forks can have a molded/machined in seat for the cartridge bearing to center on, or not have one. Not having an integral seat is the classic way (and using a precision cutter to establish the factory seat's dimensions so a separate crown race seat ring can be pressed on is a many decades way to prepare the crown for the bearing). But with the entry of carbon and it's not liking being machined (cut) (for a few reasons) a different way has come about to allow the lower bearing to properly be centered and square to the steerer. This way is either a split separate ring, as is shown on the left. Or it's to have the fork manufacturer mold a seat during the fork's construction.

So the question for you is does your fork have a lower bearing seat on it? Is so then the imaged LH ring isn't needed, regardless of it's size. If not then you need to get the proper size ring. Said seat/ring also needs to be compatible with the cartridge's bearing design. Specifically the bearing's angle of contact surface (typically either 36* or 45*).

I take it that how ever you got the frameset it didn't come with the proper headset? That it had no info about what is the correct headset? If you got the frame from a LBS shame on them for not being able to help you out. If you got the frame from an on line source then also shame on them. If you got it from a privet person still shame on them. Any way you are experiencing the cost of dealing with this frame. Finding info has it's cost too. I am not familiar enough with your specific frame and fork to give you exact/specific answers. Only experienced enough to help you understand what you have and what you need to do next. Good luck. Andy

Bought this frameset
 

I bought this complete frameset https://www.randombikeparts.com/prod...0c-canti-new-1

It comes with everything including the headset which is why I'm puzzled that there was a left over part.

Has anyone seen the left hand side ring? I'm guessing its some sort of compression ring as it has a split. I have no idea where it goes.

The answer is at 4:16 of this video clip
 

Turns out the left hand side of the image is the compression ring and the right one is a spare.

The real culprit was the ENVE compression plug needs an extra spacer so as the center part of top cap doesn't interfere with the edges of the top cap pressing down to tighten the entire assembly.

You learn something new every day, but that's one thing I didn't need to learn.