headset help please

gbr236

Hi
I would value your thoughts
Chris King Headset (2nd hand)
Titanium frame
Carbon fork with alloy steerer and standard star nut

All is set up nice and runs ok
After 50mile with lots of climbing appears a bit loose, with creaking when climbing standing up (ie weighing alternate sides of bar).

Seems to occur whatever starnut combination i use.
Could the headset be worn? Feels loverly and smooth though

nicklouse

could be. or might just need adjusting.

balthazar

The star nut and top cap bolt is used only for initial adjustment, nothing else! A slipping star nut may make it impossible to adjust the correct preload in the first place, but it has no effect thereafter.

The stem bolts hold the assembly in place. If your headset is loosening during use, either the stem bolts are loose (very dangerous!), or some headset component is improperly seated: there is usually a chamfered split ring in the upper assembly, which can sometimes bind during tightening, leading to a false impression of preload.

Try re-adjusting the headset, by slackening the stem bolts, and gently tightening the top cap bolt. Bounce the front of the bike on the ground inbetween tightening the bolt, a quarter (or eighth) turn at a time, until the bars turn smoothly without play or binding. Then tighten the stem bolts to spec.

gbr236

Thanks for the thoughts
I have tried these to know avail, especially the latter suggestion to bounce to ensure all is seated correctly when getting it nicely adjusted in the shed....

keef66

The bouncing of the front end isn't to seat the components, it's to check for play in the headset after you've tightened it. Applying the front brake hard and rocking the bike backwards and forwards achieves the same thing.
It lets you feel / hear the tell-tale knocking / rattling without having to go out and find a cobbled street to ride down.

rubbernekker

what Ti frame is it? Has the steerer been faced? How easy was it to push in the cups?