Should my headset be flush to the top of my headstock ?

weeksy59

Been messing about changing the spacer order and cleaning up my headstock/headset etc. Put it all back together.

Commencal Meta 55 2010 running a Cane Creek headset.

So where the headset meets the headstock i have about 1mm gap. Everything all works fine, no noises out on the trail etc, but should it all be flush ? Reason i'm asking is that i've never paid much attention there, so can't be 100%.

Unless i'm missing something there's no way to get it flush... so the odds are, i'm missing something

All the washers, bearing ring etc seem to be correct...

Can't really take a pic as the camera loses focus. Will have a go though and post in a min.

nicklouse

yes no maybe.

what headset? model.

what is a headstock in your world?

to me it is either a headset or part of a stringed musical instrument.

weeksy59

weeksy59

Looking how it all works, i'm guessing NO is the answer, as the bit with the writing on all moves.. so if it was flush, then it couldn't move as it would be tight on the top of headstock...

nicklouse

so it is an IS 2 which is an integrated headset and i see we are talking about the gap between the top cap and the head tube (as there are no cups)

yes there should be a gap but 1mm is a bit big. make sure the frame is clean where the bearing rests on it and likewise the faces of the bearing and the top cap. if there are washers between these two parts you may remove one or two. ( some headsets come with a few to allow you to adjust the gap).

weeksy59

Yes sir that's correct, at the top. Looking again (and at the pic) i'd say 1mm was an over-estimation, probably 0.5mm.

Feel free to remove the thread if you think it's of no real use, i think i've got all the answers i need.

Cheers.

weeksy59

Well as a slight continuation with this thread, i simply cannot get this 100%. Either too loose and it ends up giving me play or too tight and restricts the bar movement.

I'm kinda thinking one of 2 things.

1. I've put it all back together slightly wrong.
2. It's knackered and needs replacing.

Is 1 even possible ?

if 2, what headset do i need ? there's a LOT of options and i don't know which ones are viable etc. Max £50 and don't care about colour or name, only getting a decent item. Doesn't need to be the same IS2 type either if that helps... just whatever will work best for the money.

nicklouse

1 yes.
2 yes.

any IS headset.

weeksy59

Sorry for being daft... how do i know what's an IS headset ?

Do i need an IS headset ?

Why can i not run a Hope like this for example ?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=19877

nicklouse

it is an integrated headset. it says so. IS2. yes it has to be. Hope do make one but not that one.

see

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... -standards

weeksy59

thanks.

I'm thinking my best plan of attack may be to take to my LBS and say "i think i've kind of made a balls of this... can you check please"

weeksy59

Well that was an interesting afternoon. Speaking to my LBS while taking the top cap off and he said " So what can you see"... my answer of "a load of bearings have fallen out and there's bits everywhere" is apparently not a great answer. Followed closely by "you'll be needing a new headset".

Bunch of crap

So after he did some research on CRC and Commencal.com i've ordered up a new headset, a BMX one wouldn't you know... i was suprised at that too i must admit.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=40812

weeksy59

replaced in 5 mins by my LBS... £5 for fitting... bargain.