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    How much headset play is normal?


    I went through the process of tightening the top screw, with the head screws loose. Still get some small play. I even undid most of it, cleaned the old grease and applied new ones. Bearings are like new.

    If I hold the wheel at a 90 degree angle the wobble is far less so I suspect my brakes to have a bit of leeway…

    Its a Sensa Giulia GF from 2024.

    How much headset play is normal?
    byu/skurddd inbikewrench



    by skurddd

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    22 Comments

    3. yetAnotherRandomNerd on

      Just right about zero is normal.

      Not more than that, because it needs to turn freely.

    4. UltimateGammer on

      There should be none.

      I have a carbon fork where I have to have my partner press the frame down onto the fork so I can tighten it up tight.

    5. nijhttime-eve on

      Is your top cap bottoming out on the steerer tube or compression plug? This will prevent the headset from being able to properly preload

    6. Fl4t3ric on

      Its still the headset thats loose, i can see it in the vid.
      Remove the topcap and check the headset claw. If its loose press it down and tighten it up, then adjust the headset again

    7. bikepackerWill on

      None. It’s an easy fix though, had a bike shop do it just the other days for about £15. Took 20 minutes.

    9. Goodman4525 on

      Zero visible and none when you put your hand around the headset collar. Remember to loosen your stem bolts or else nothing you do with the headset bolt will work. Also not so tight to where the fork steers with notches at set intervals

    16. Ok_Phase_8731 on

      Have you ever tried to tighten your headset while the stem bolts are clamped? That can mess up the threads on the star nut and make it hard to properly preload the headset

    17. No-Custard7415 on

      You shouldn’t be able to feel or hear it. If it doesn’t rotate freely, it’s too tight.

    18. ogmeistergeneral on

      As others have said, zero. Worth learning how to do it. Not difficult and you don’t want to be paying a shop to do this. If you follow the steps and the play is still there then there’s another issue and then it might be worth a visit to the shop.

    19. sebwiers on

      You might be able to measure “normal” play with a sensitive dial indicator in a decent setup. You should NOT be able to “mk 1 eyeball” any play, or even detect it vie tactile sense.

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