Help with headset.
07-14-25 | 05:58 PM
#1
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Joined: Sep 2021
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Help with headset.
I got this fixed gear bike today and when I went to ride it, the handlebars were making popping noises when you put vertical pressure on one side. I took the headset apart and it seems the crown race is split. Is it supposed to be like that? The bike has an oversized sealed bearing headset and a carbon fork by the way.
07-14-25 | 07:57 PM
#4
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
There are many headsets with a split crown race seat. My understanding is that they are used to make up for less than best fork crown seat condition. One of the drawbacks to carbon fiber construction is not wanting to cut those fibers right at the focus of stress. So fitting a race seat ring that can expand as needed removes the need to machine a spec diameter, thus cutting the top layers of tow.
"Popping" noises from a headset area can have many causes. Dry contact surfaces and/or rough from corrosion/wear rolling elements are among the more common. With a cartridge bearing one can spin it while holding it in hand. But without real load the bearing doesn't always feel bad when it is in situ.
Do let us know what you've done to fix it. Andy
"Popping" noises from a headset area can have many causes. Dry contact surfaces and/or rough from corrosion/wear rolling elements are among the more common. With a cartridge bearing one can spin it while holding it in hand. But without real load the bearing doesn't always feel bad when it is in situ.
Do let us know what you've done to fix it. Andy
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AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
07-15-25 | 08:52 AM
#6
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 501
There are many headsets with a split crown race seat. My understanding is that they are used to make up for less than best fork crown seat condition. One of the drawbacks to carbon fiber construction is not wanting to cut those fibers right at the focus of stress. So fitting a race seat ring that can expand as needed removes the need to machine a spec diameter, thus cutting the top layers of tow.
"Popping" noises from a headset area can have many causes. Dry contact surfaces and/or rough from corrosion/wear rolling elements are among the more common. With a cartridge bearing one can spin it while holding it in hand. But without real load the bearing doesn't always feel bad when it is in situ.
Do let us know what you've done to fix it. Andy
"Popping" noises from a headset area can have many causes. Dry contact surfaces and/or rough from corrosion/wear rolling elements are among the more common. With a cartridge bearing one can spin it while holding it in hand. But without real load the bearing doesn't always feel bad when it is in situ.
Do let us know what you've done to fix it. Andy
