Specialized Epic 29er Headset Question
03-13-20, 02:22 AM
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Specialized Epic 29er Headset Question
I have a 2018 S-Works HT and recently tried to drop the fork out. I didn't succeed 
. I removed the bar and assumed the fork would slide down and out but it was stuck tight. I gave it a knock with a soft object and I could see that part of the headset seems to be really tight on the fork tube. I whacked it a few more times, then bottled it and brought it back together. It's fine but at some stage the bearings will need cleaning and greasing.
Is this normal? Any advice on what to do?
Cheers!!!
Iz
. I removed the bar and assumed the fork would slide down and out but it was stuck tight. I gave it a knock with a soft object and I could see that part of the headset seems to be really tight on the fork tube. I whacked it a few more times, then bottled it and brought it back together. It's fine but at some stage the bearings will need cleaning and greasing.Is this normal? Any advice on what to do?
Cheers!!!
Iz
03-13-20, 07:11 AM
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I am not familiar with that exact model of bike, but I would be surprised if such a high-end bike did not have cartridge (non serviceable) bearings in the headset.
You should still be able to remove the fork, but you probably don't need to if bearing maintenance was your only concern.
You should still be able to remove the fork, but you probably don't need to if bearing maintenance was your only concern.
03-13-20, 07:42 AM
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I suspect that the headset uses a compression ring to both locate the upper (slide on) bearing race coaxial to the steerer and to help make all the headset upper stack parts play nice. This conical and split ring will grip the steerer as the ring is pushed down and "into" the upper race by the stem/spacers/top cap. Sometimes this ring clings to the steerer/upper race so tightly that it needs some help getting loose. We often need to use a pick to pry up the ring at it's split. Andy
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