longestdrive

Hi
I've been gifted a Cannondale Trail 6 29 that I'm trying to resurrect from the scrap heap (I think the bike is 2015 specs).

I need to replace the headset bearings and stripped everything down but having problems trying to source a new bearing set - mainly because I'm not clear on the specs needed!

The headset is a standard? 44mm with space for a cup to fit. The old set was a ball and cup design. Ideally I'd like to replace with sealed bearings and upgrade them - but not sure what will fit and whether this is possible.

Also the forks have rusty stanchions and missing seals so may need to replace those as well if I can't clean them up enough ( the rust dame maybe severe) the forks are Suntour XCTs which I understand are budget forks - so a related question to above - can I just get any make/config of forks to fit them in and then fit the headset bearings around the new forks?

I've seen a link on canecreek (unable to post link as not enough posts) canecreek-shis-poster.pdf that seems to suggest I can get a conversion kit to tapered stems but the terminology is confusing

Any help on:
1. Identifying exact specs of the headset and bearings (manual doesn't seem to exist on Cannondale site)
2. Sources where I can get the replacements
3. Options for replacement forks (sub £200)
4. Whether fitting a conversion kit is practical

This is turning into my "lockdown" project so any help appreciated

Thanks

Andrew R Stewart 

Bike manuals rarely will have specific bike model specs. And actual specs can drift due to availability at the factory anyway. This why good mechanics learn to be able to measure stuff as well as search for info. Unfortunately Cannondale's history in the LBS field isn't the best and the brand has tended to be "bounced around" different shops in some communities. Thus finding a current dealer which also sold this model/year might prove hard. I mention dealer as they are the most experienced with the brands they sell. I sense that no LBS or dealers are near by to you... If there are have you sought their help?

From your description I suspect there's little Cannondale specific stuff going on (unlike their Head Shock as example). More and more headset descriptions are including the industry common dimensional references that Cane Creek helped create. You need the upper stack's head tube ID and the steerer's OD (and whether it's a threaded steerer) and the same for the lower stack. Were you to change the fork these dimensions might change too.

Headsets are just one of those areas of the bike world that can be hard to understand and this is where the LBS's help can be a help. I have no specific model or spec information to offer, just that your pain is shared by some and with good measurements the right one can be determined. Andy

Crankycrank

Cannondale headset finder. https://www.cannondalespares.com/headset_finder If you don't find the info you need shoot Cannondale an email or call.

longestdrive

Thanks both - good advice and will follow up - micrometer ordered to get definitive measurements and will follow up those links

Thanks again