Just got a new bike built today from my lbs and noticed
1. The top of the aluminum frame is exposed, (frame headset just big maybe)
2. Gap in the headset itself, maybe around 1mm
My old bike didnt have such glaring things so im wondering if thats normal, thanks!
by MedievalNuke
4 Comments
It looks like they changed the headset. These usually come with a cheap Acros headset, so this is actually an upgrade. It just isn’t as wide as the stock headset, but that’s fine.
Does your headset feel loose? I would re do the preload just to be sure. Also the in regard to the gap in photo #1 I think that looks so bad, I wonder why 🧐
questions:
* did you purchase the headset or did the shop buy it for you?
* did you get the frame specs for the headset from the manufacturer then buy the matching size from cane creek?
the reason i ask is that some frames have very specific sizes for headsets. For example i have a CC hellbender as well, but my frame’s headset spec wasn’t super common so I had to order a specific size.
https://preview.redd.it/vmk9u6ryixtd1.png?width=683&format=png&auto=webp&s=e6c7aadc94da782572263515f54f2dfcaa2c8595
There must be a gap as the two parts don’t move with each other. The lower, the cup, is pressed in the frame and the upper moves with the steerer tube. As it is a cane creek headset, I guess there is a flexible sealing ring on the moving part. As long as the sealing lip touches the cup, everything is ok.
Cheaper headsets often have no sealing and therefore a smaller gap.
If the exposed alu of the frame annoys you, you have to buy a headset with a wider bearing cup flange. But technically its no problem.