[mack]

I got a new bike, a azonic steel haed, and i wanted a quality headset, so i chose the FSA big balled pig, whell, it was pressed in by a shop, because i dont have the tools, and i installed everything else. THIS thing will not tighten, as in it always has allot of play in it, and when u tighten it allot so it doesnt play it wont turn. Obviose things such as bearings being in the right way have already been checked. and im 90 % sure that the bottom race is on reall tight, and i dont think that the steerer is loose on the top crown.

Could there be a problem with the steel frame, as in it might have came out of the factory ovalized? or a flaw in the FSA? wich is strange, because ive always found then reputable. What would you guys think is up, its in the shop right now, cus i paid them 30 bucks to press the headset and BB in, so it should work, right? any help would be apprecited, as i wanna ride some more.!

 

[Kornphlake]

First, did you install the lower race correctly, I guess some are easy to install upside down even for an experienced mechanic. Second, if you're using a fox fork then what feels like a loose headset is likely your sloppy fork bushings, just get used to it. Third, well there isn't really a third, headsets are pretty simple, are you bottoming the top cap on the steerer tube, I don't think you'd get the headset so tight it would bind if you were but stranger things have happened.

I suppose if the headtube wasn't properly faced then the cups could seat at an angle which would cause the problems you're describing, but I really thought that was more of an old wives tale than a real problem frame manufacturers have.

 

[mack]

Yeah, everything is good, i didnt myself face the headset, i guess i would have if i was still working at the shop, i dont know the guy who did it, it is very strange, it is a manitou fork, a black 02. do you think that if the cups were slitghly off then the bearing race wouldnt fly? the verdict will hopefully be revealed tomorrow, if not im gunna be pissed.

 

[Grimey]

grab the fork by the crown and the frame by the downtube and wiggle.

Have you replaced your starnut? It could be slipping in the steerer tube.

Is your fork cut to the correct length? To many spacers?

 

[OGRipper]

If the cups are slightly off, that could definitely be the problem. Doesn't sound like a slipping star nut or a spacer issue, since you can't get the thing adjusted properly to begin with. So it's either a facing issue, bad press of cups or crown race, or the bearings - either they're in wrong or they're just poo. I suppose it could be ovalization too, but just doesn't seem likely. And hopefully the shop would have told you about it, unless they messed up the frame by pressing the cups in wrong - they might not tell you depending on how honest they are. You should ask them if anything was odd when they pressed in the cups. Honestly though, I know what you said about obvious things but it really sounds like the bearings are in wrong.

 

[zedro]

this came up on mtbr with the same bike and issue, sounded like a facing problem.

 

[BigHit-Maniac]

Make sure you have enough spacers, and that the top-cap isn't bottom out against the steerer tube. I've seen that happen a few times... and it's frustrating because you can't "see" it happen...


-Matt

 

[Kntr]

Get a new starnut and check your spacers. Make sure the top-cap has a little space between it and the top of the steer tube.

 

[bizutch]

face the headtube....the steelset isn't exactly the most "handbuilt rarity"...it's a mass produced import. There's a reason for having that tool. My shop owner is a super respected mechanic and there's not a headset he puts in that doesn't get faced first and I've never had a bad headset from him.

 

[-dustin]

had the same problem with an FSA Sky Pilot/ Zebdi mix. had the headtube faced, then shipped the frame to the guy who bought it (he knew of the problem). i hope it works out for him.