movement in the headset

vision267
vision267 Posts: 149
edited August 2009 in Road beginners
Hi there guys something is wrong with my bike first problem I have had and would like some advice.So hear goes last week I changed my stem to a longer one for more reach.Must have done something wrong as now there is some play in the head set when I descend there is a rattle from the headset.So I decided I must have done something and changed back to the older stem thinking this would solve the problem.But no the same think is happening.Are the bearing shot this seems unlikely as I hardly ever use the bike as I refuse to cycle in the rain.The bike is a cayo with some sort of fsa bearing system forgive my ignorance as I am new to cycling this is my first road bike in 20 years.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.The bike is about 8 months old by the way and as i have some free time for about 2 weeks was hoping to get some miles in.This is a bit frustrating but I suppose but this must happen to everyone. :oops: :oops:

Comments

  • on the road
    on the road Posts: 5,631
    edited August 2009
    .....
  • vision267
    vision267 Posts: 149
    Sorry I know its very late and I well log in tomorrow and hope one of you more experienced bike riders can offer some advice. good night
  • vision267
    vision267 Posts: 149
    Forgot to mention is the bike safe to use or should I get it checked out first?
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    You just need to tighten the headset tension bolt a little more than you have done to-date.

    Loosen-off the stem bolts, until the handlebars rotate freely. Tighten the tension bolt gently (to take-up the slack), then a little more (a quarter to half a turn). Then tighten the stem bolts & check for play. Don't over-tighten the tension bolt too much - you want the bars to turn freely, but not meet resistance. Repeat if necessary. It often takes a few tries to get the tension just right so that there's no free play, nor any resistance.

    There's a video guide here: http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-threadless-headset/

    Essentially, the tension bolt just sets the pre-tension on the headset - it's the stem bolts that hold everything in-place, once the correct tension has been set. :wink:
    Cycling weakly
  • vision267
    vision267 Posts: 149
    Thanks on the road will check out tomorrow

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