Hello everyone!
I built my Canyon torque al and it makes unhealthy noises from the head tube. The headset is brand new, fork is right after the full service. It started clicking with the new headset, what is weird.
I noticed that the bearing seat is a little ovalized, but when I had a frame with IS headset a long time ago, I think it was ovalized too and it wasn’t a problem. So what do you think? Is the frame trashed?
Weird noises from the head tube
byu/Emotional_Monitor675 inMTB
by Emotional_Monitor675
11 Comments
https://preview.redd.it/i9mp326zv60h1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=634570f089e9d400b35887df6648512c416ca921
Are you sure it your headseat? It could be stem clamps
Might be a stupid ask, but you’re putting grease in there, right ?
Regardless if the bearing isn’t seating properly that is a big issue yes, it will wear out faster and more importantly, will damage your frame. If there is a machine shop nearby I’d try to see if it’s possible to get it rimmed a tiny bit so that it seats properly (not too much because the bearing might seat too deep and the fork will touch)
Did you apply any grease when you installed the headset? Did you use all parts that came with your new headset?
My first guess would be the steerer tube interface with the fork crown, but it’s pretty hard to tell from a video.
Your bearing should not be rocking on that seat, at all. This is correctable. Though, the tooling is very expensive and your LBS might not have it available.
The headset needs to be reamed with the correct bore width and headset angle, for example 42mm and 45 degrees. You could also try some sand paper. It’s quick and dirty, but you might be able to get that bearing to stop rocking.
Also, I do need to ask, are you pre-loading your headset properly?
My knees usually make the same noise..
I’ve had my headset creak, and the clamp for the bar creak from dust somehow getting in between it. Check the bar clamp aswell, but sounds like the headset to me. Put your finger by every frame pivot and feel for the creak when you cycle the suspension. Right now my whole CSU creaks so that could be a thing, but mine sounds nothing like this.
Do you ride in dusty conditions? I have found dust just tends to get in the headset/steerer tube and whenever I pull it apart, clean and re-grease it solves it, might have to do this like once or twice a year. Another thing is when you clean your bike avoid spraying a ton of water at the headset that can cause creaking too. Carbon bikes tend to creak more with dusty conditions.
I had a mystery rattle on my Rockshox Revelation that turned out to be the rebound knob. The way they designed it makes it rattle against the lower, even when the set screw is tightened properly- took forever to find. Hold it in place with your fingers and bounce the fork to see if it goes away.
My aluminium headset cup was oval I cut up a beer can and put a strip of it halfway around the bearing cup and all good no more problems with play in the bearing cup