[kajo]

I've got a new king alu headset and installed the bearing cups into the frame. Then I put the crown race on the fork. Got a bit scratched but it shouldn't make any difference because it will only press against the lower cup. But when I put the fork into the frame I found a ply. I installed the bearing cap and stem and everything and there are a 2 mm ply in the headset. The steerertube is loose in the frame and can be moved in all directions easly.

What did I do wrong? Should I press the bearing cap even harder agianst the upper cup?

Want to be able to get my new bike out riding as fast as possible.


Thanks
Jonathan

 

[BikeGeek]

Sounds like you're not getting it tightened down enough. If you're getting the topcap bolt tight before tightening the stem bolts and still getting play, maybe your topcap is hitting the steerer tube.

 

[MikeD]

You shouldn't have to force the top cap down. It should slide easily into place, touching the top cup, and hold the fork lightly in place before you tighten it. When you tighten the top cap and star nut, that should eliminate any play. I think BikeGeek has the most obvious solution...is your steerer tube too long?

Where is the gap in the assembly when you put it all together...between the upper cup and the top cap?

Is there a problem with your steer tube (slight bulge or defect) which prevents the top cap from sliding all the way down to the headset?

Did you accidentally press the caps in upside-down? If you pressed the bottom cup in the top of the frame and the top cup in the bottom of the frame, it could possibly cause a problem like this.

MD

 

[caputo1989]

How much taller is the top of the stem from thre top of the steerer?

 

[JRB]

Did you accidentally press the caps in upside-down? If you pressed the bottom cup in the top of the frame and the top cup in the bottom of the frame, it could possibly cause a problem like this.

MD

I don't think that matters with King. Purely aesthetical is what it looks like to me.

 

[MikeD]

I don't think that matters with King. Purely aesthetical is what it looks like to me.

Yeah, depends on the headset...King sure looks symmetrical to me, but I'm not quite sure. Just brainstorming possibilities...

 

[Wumpus]

Next time you put a crown race on. Buy a piece of 1 1/4" pvc and use that to set the race.


There needs to about 3mm between the top of the stem(or top spacer) and the steerer tube or the topcap will bottom out.

 

[gonzostrike]

CK headsets have instructions that dictate how much gap you need between your top cap and your steer tube top.

I believe the measurement is 5mm, not 3mm as someone said below. 3mm is standard in the industry and CK requires more.

If you don't run the full 5mm, your CK headset will never stay snug.

 

[BikeGeek]

If you don't run the full 5mm, your CK headset will never stay snug.

According to the tech section of the the King website, it's 3mm.

 

[gonzostrike]

thanks, Bike Geek. I was confusing it with the Thomson stem instruction, which requires not 5mm but 7mm if you have a steel or alloy steer tube.

 

[BikeGeek]

thanks, Bike Geek. I was confusing it with the Thomson stem instruction, which requires not 5mm but 7mm if you have a steel or alloy steer tube.

7? Dang. That's a thick cap.

 

[BigStonz]

I'll bet if you put a small spacer under the top cap, your're problem will be solved.

 

[spincrazy]

new crown race and make sure it is seated properly

 

[Dirtbike]

A Chris King HS CAN be installed upside down. Both cups are exactly the same. I know someone who does this on his bikes...