Tight headset?

[Matt J]

I've got a Specialized Hardrock whose headset I replaced a few months back, and I haven't ridden it
much since. It's got a threadless FSA job (Orbit II?) with sealed bearings on each end. I've got it
tightened enough to keep it from being loose (haha), you know, to keep it from rattling when you
hold the front brake and jiggle the bars back and forth. However, whenever I turn it past about 35
degrees to either side, it tightens up. Why would this be? Anything I can do? I don't really notice
it when riding, but the handling isn't perfect. Thanks! Matt

 

[John Thompson]

In article <c[email protected]>, Matt J wrote:

> I've got a Specialized Hardrock whose headset I replaced a few months back, and I haven't ridden
> it much since. It's got a threadless FSA job (Orbit II?) with sealed bearings on each end. I've
> got it tightened enough to keep it from being loose (haha), you know, to keep it from rattling
> when you hold the front brake and jiggle the bars back and forth. However, whenever I turn it past
> about 35 degrees to either side, it tightens up. Why would this be? Anything I can do? I don't
> really notice it when riding, but the handling isn't perfect.

Did you have the head tube prepped (reamed and faced) when you had the new headset installed?
Chances are the races are slightly crooked; prepping the head tube helps them seat properly in
alignment.

--

-John ([email protected])

 

[S. Anderson]

Could be your head tube is not faced properly and the cups are out of alignment. You can have this
fixed by a shop with a facing tool, or, if you can live with it and it doesn't destroy your headset
too quickly, just leave
it. You probably won't be turning past 35 degrees much and will probably hardly notice while
riding. Facing the head tube will probably be a $30-$50 job when all is said and done and they
do all the work. Probably $10-$20 if you bring them the frame with the headset already removed.

Cheers,

Scott..
--
Scott Anderson

"Matt J" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've got a Specialized Hardrock whose headset I replaced a few months back, and I haven't ridden
> it much since. It's got a threadless FSA job (Orbit II?) with sealed bearings on each end. I've
> got it tightened enough to keep it from being loose (haha), you know, to keep it from rattling
> when you hold the front brake and jiggle the bars back and forth. However, whenever I turn it past
> about 35 degrees to either side, it tightens up. Why would this be? Anything I can do? I don't
> really notice it when riding, but the handling isn't perfect. Thanks! Matt

 

[Matt J]

John Thompson <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> In article <c[email protected]>, Matt J wrote:
>
> > I've got a Specialized Hardrock whose headset I replaced a few months back, and I haven't ridden
> > it much since. It's got a threadless FSA job (Orbit II?) with sealed bearings on each end. I've
> > got it tightened enough to keep it from being loose (haha), you know, to keep it from rattling
> > when you hold the front brake and jiggle the bars back and forth. However, whenever I turn it
> > past about 35 degrees to either side, it tightens up. Why would this be? Anything I can do? I
> > don't really notice it when riding, but the handling isn't perfect.
>
> Did you have the head tube prepped (reamed and faced) when you had the new headset installed?
> Chances are the races are slightly crooked; prepping the head tube helps them seat properly in
> alignment.

I honestly don't know whether they faced the head tube. I took it in and picked it up a day later, I
think... I don't recall it costing much - they just charged me for "headset installation," which may
not have included facing. However, when I brought in a BB to be installed on another bike, they did
face it (the instructions said to). Don't know - maybe I'll take it in and see how much it would be.
I don't have the tools for taking it out, so that would be up to them... Matt