UGH!!! Headset Adjustment HELP!
#1
UGH!!! Headset Adjustment HELP!
Ok, this is starting to drive me crazy. 2010 Quick 4 I put on an adjustable riser and now cannot get the shimmy out of the front end! Before you tell me to loosen the stem bolts and retighten top cap bolt-I have done that many times already. Just got on Youtube and it looks so easy. They are showing the problem I have(little shake in front end-forks etc.) and it is so simple to fix only it DOES NOT FIX IT...GRRRR! Bike is practically brand new. Any ideas? Is the top cap preventing headset bolt from doing its job as causing it to tighten before it should maybe? Thanks!
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Take off the top cap and look to see if the steerer is at leas a couple of mm below the top of the stem. If the steerer is flush, you cannot adjust the headset. Either add another spacer under or above the stem.
#3
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
99% percent of the time that a headset doesn't adjust, it's because the top cap is bottomed against the top of the steerer and cannot push the stem or spacers lower to set the bearing.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#4
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: North of Boston
Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,
Quick release tight? Do you have the head tube faced? It needs to be true and free of excess paint. And check spacers.
#5
Domestic Domestique
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Brand New Old Catamount! Schwinn Homegrown, Specialized FSR, Salsa Vaya, Salsa Chile Con Crosso
#6
Yeah, I'm guessing the top cap is bottoming out on the steering tube. The stack height of the new stem is likely different and could very well require an additional spacer, like a 2-5mm, to keep the cap from bottoming out when tightened.
#7
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From: Spokane, WA
Bikes: Specialized Sequoia Elite/Motobecane Fantom Cross Team Ti/'85 Trek 520
I had the same exact problem and like the above posters, it turned out to be that I had no gap between the top of the steerer tube and the top of the spacer. Replaced the spacer with a taller one and I was able to tighten it up perfectly.
Before i replaced the spacer, i was able to tighten it down and it seemed to take out the slack but after a test ride, the shake would be back in the tube.
Before i replaced the spacer, i was able to tighten it down and it seemed to take out the slack but after a test ride, the shake would be back in the tube.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
#9
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From: North of Boston
Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,
Front end shimmy could be a lot of things. This so called exact science of interwebs- remote- diagnostics- with no photos stuff.
#12
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
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