Hey guys, when I first installed my Chris King gripnut headset it came loose, so I reinstalled it. I end up with what looks like a little gap between the lock ring and adjusting ring. The headset has never come loose and I've rode on plenty of bumpy roads with it. Is this gap normal? Or is something wrong. I've followed the instructions and tightening the lockring anymore feels impossible unless I wanna thread it.

Also props to my ****ty old headset wrench for dinging the corners of my adjusting ring and making the headset look ****ty

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robbykills/4464293180/

Isn't the gripnut version of chris king's threaded headset for special applications where the steerer tube is just a little too short? From the picture it appears you do have a noticeable gap as you said. Even though it never came loose, even on bumpy roads as you say , I think it eventually will come loose. Did your headset not come with a spacer to go between the adjustable cup and the lock nut? Maybe because you've got gripnut it didn't come with this. Assuming this is a 1" threaded headset, I would say just scavenge the appropriate size 1" spacer from an old headset or buy one from your local bike shop. This would be your easiest option unless there is some design parameter specific to the Chris King that does not allow this. If you have the LBS cut a couple more threads on your fork steerer tube you may still need the spacer to keep the locknut from bottoming out.

Robbykills- That gap is fine.

masi61- If you have no idea what a GripNut is, don't post.

My bad. Just tryin' to get a worthy discussion jump started Helicoil, I just reviewed the online info about the Chris King Gripnut. Sorta remembered that it was a locking collet system.

thanks for the responses guys