I recently built a new road bike and used the headset bearings that were supplied with the frame. Despite correct installation and proper preload, I am getting noticeable play in the upper headset bearing.
The headset cap/handlebar, frame, and bearings should all be compatible. I explicitly confirmed this with one of the manufacturers (Polymer Workshop Sculpture, Deda S DCR, Standert Stichsäge).
What concerns me is that even when the bearing is simply placed into the frame, without the handlebar installed, there is already significant play (see video). Installing and preloading the cockpit does not reduce it significantly.
This makes me wonder whether the bearing itself could be defective or out of tolerance. In principle, the size should be correct, since it was supplied by the frame manufacturer.
Has anyone experienced something similar, or does anyone have ideas on what to check next?
For clarity: the brown residue visible is Loctite, which I tried in an attempt to add stability, but it did not help.
by hendrik0806
3 Comments
thats normal, there usually is a conus that gets pressed into the bearing and stabilizes it, are you sure all parts are there?
I have the same issue with Cannondale. The fix is to buy very thin steel and cut a tiny piece from it to make a shim. Then put some spavial loctite for cylindrical fitment. That will fill the space and stability after tightening.
It shouldn’t matter if everything is preloaded correctly. Headset bearing seats are usually designed as transition fit and the bearing aligns properly with the conical seat by preload.