Quantcast

Ovalized headtube?

Natedogg

Monkey
Jun 10, 2003
164
0
Mazzzzchappi
I started building my XC hardtail (98 SWorks M2) back up today and found that my King headset just slides into the headtube. The lower cup fits a little more snug (I wacked it with a mallet and now it wont come out), but the top cup slides right in and I can pull it out with my hands. Is the frame f*ed?
 

BikeGeek

BrewMonkey
Jul 2, 2001
4,573
273
Hershey, PA
Natedogg said:
...King headset...I wacked it with a mallet...
Yikes! Is that how you install all your headsets?

To answer your question: it depends on how ovalized your frame is. I had the same problem several years ago with a steel frame and after talking to the tech folks at King, I had my head tube reamed/faced and then measured with calipers. I then talked to King again and long story short, they set me up with oversized cups to fit the new headtube diameter. I'm not familiar with your frame, but if it's aluminum, I'm not sure I do the same thing. Steel tends to stretch a lot before failing, aluminum, not so much.
 

Natedogg

Monkey
Jun 10, 2003
164
0
Mazzzzchappi
BikeGeek said:
Yikes! Is that how you install all your headsets?
No no no.

The insides of the flanges are pretty haggard, though, and its an old frame. Maybe Ill just replace her. :( It *is* alu, and its not worth the $$$ to ream, face, and buy a special headset.

Thanks for the input!
 

skurfer333

Monkey
Apr 21, 2005
249
0
Raleigh, NC
definitely replace it, once your ht gets that tweaked that you can pull the cup in and out, its pretty much done. Its always a shame when you try to build up an old frame and its got some damage... been there, done that, got the worthless piece of sh1t sitting in my garage to prove it.