Hey all,
I’m having some trouble fitting a new fork. When I try to install the fork the lower bearing and the crown race create a huge gap like I’ve never seen. What’s the problem? Headset is a Hope that wasn’t installed by me. I’ve tried using different crown races but all create this gap. Is the cup not pressed in right? Do I need a different race? Fork is a RS Zeb with a regular 1.5 inch steerer. Bike is a ragley mmmbop. Just don’t really know what’s going on here…
(Excuse the cardboard bike stand lol)
by Wise-Pay-1475
6 Comments
Either the bearing is upside down or it’s the wrong bearing. The inside should have a taper to match the race on the fork.
https://preview.redd.it/tymvwpa5jupe1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cab05104b5f8b49af2d7689b8db50b3429e18c99
Actually this is a good look too, what I’ve tried to identify is this interior bevel, on the outside edge of the bearing. Here, you can see, it is pointing down toward the fork. *This* bevel should be pointing up, towards the bars.
There we’ll be and even larger bevel, on the inside edge of the bearing, that will be an exterior bevel. *That* bevel sits on top of your crown race.
Wrong bearing, that looks to be a 6806 bearing( typically used in a PF30/BB30 BB), not a tapered headset bearing…it will not fit the crown race. Replace it.
Bearing is upside-down.
You can see the bevel that should be against your crown race in this picture:
https://preview.redd.it/j6uovqqkkupe1.png?width=425&format=png&auto=webp&s=4cf8d9c2a77a8267d9f7ede6b26392a7173cbf9f
In case this isn’t obvious: you don’t need to remove the headset cup – you just need to slide the cartridge bearing out, flip it over like a coin, and put it back in.
https://preview.redd.it/lli97veyrupe1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1ef1d4a3844fbe8da28ea6c07eb428ad4eb191b
To me it looks like you have an incorrect race. Hope headset races have a rubber seal around them to help stop the mud from getting to the bearings. The bearing looks to be correct as it has the green seal. I have linked hopes website below and that has a pdf for compatible bottom cups on it.
I have a Mmmbop with a hope headset and have no issues with gaping. I have a rockshock 35 gold fork just for reference.
[https://www.hopetech.com/products/controls/headsets/picknmix-headsets/](https://www.hopetech.com/products/controls/headsets/picknmix-headsets/)
Edit – have a look at the technical guide and that should steer you in the right direction. Pun intended 😉
Edit edit – just pulled my forks off and the code is hope acb4545 1.5. I have also attached a picture of both sides
Bearing looks to be upside down. Take the bearing out and try fitting it in the crown race to see if it sits right.
If it does put it back into the headset cup and pop it all back together.
If it doesn’t try it with the other crown racers.