Fitted headset spacers now something is rattling from the front?

[RSV_Ecosse]

Hi folks,

I recently fitted a set of carbon bling headset spacers to my Pinarello FP1. I added another 10mm one in there compared to what was fitted as standard as I felt the bars could do with being raised a small amount. I have to say that it has increased comfort by a long shot.

However, I'm not sure if I have made an arse of fitting them as regards the tightening up of the stem and headset bolt.

I fitted the spacers, dropped the bars back on and adjusted the main headset bolt so that the bars moved smoothly from side to side without any "binding" etc. Then I tightened the stem bolts up.

Now when I ride the bike any time I go over any rough surfaces there is an absolutely god awful racket from the front end somewhere that sounds like something is loose/rattling around. Everything appears tight enough and it steers fine but the noise is seriously annoying now.

Should I have tightened up the main headset bolt further than I have?. If I recall, I only tightened it up hand tight and then about 2-3 further turns as I read somewhere online about this "tighten till the bars move freely but dont bind and stop turning from side to side". I'm thinking I should have tightened it up a lot more?.

I dunno?. This is coming from a seasoned amateur motorcycle mechanic that has completely swapped out/changed the steering head bearings upper and lower on many fast road bikes but I will be honest and say that "pedal cycles" baffle me from what I have seen thus far!!.

 

[MacB]

go along to LBS, explain what you've done and ask them to fix with you watching. It'll take about 2 mins and seem really obvious, I know I had this last week I'd left slack below stem fixing as I'd not got steerer tube fully through headset before tightening, only a couple of mm but enough to make the noise you describe.

 

[RSV_Ecosse]

How did they fix it/rectify it for you whilst you watched??!!!.

Last time I took the FP1 to my LBS to get its gears adjusted they had it for about 2 months before I got it back, twats.

 

[MacB]

I'm trying to remember, I think I'd re-tightened in the wrong order. All he seemed to do was loosen the stem bolts, left headset bolt alone, then moved stem down to take out slack and re-tightened.

 

[fossyant]

You could also have a goosed headset..

You adjust until there is no play when you rock the bike forwards/backwards with the front brake applied...not on how smooth the headset feels. Also pick up and drop the front end, if it rattles it's not tight. If when tight, the headset is rough...it's new headset time......

PS you haven't got too much spacer over the top of the steerer - spacers should only be 1-2 mm above the top of the steerer.

 

[RSV_Ecosse]

Hi folks, cheers.

No fossy, it's nowhere near the top of the steerer so I think I am ok on that front.

I will try out that "play" test rocking the bike back and forth. Don't think the headset is goosed as the bike was brand new in August last year and this annoying noise has only started since I messed around with the headset spacers last weekend. So it's more likely to be my cack handedness that has caused this rather than component wear.

 

[02GF74]

what exactly do you mean by annoying noise?

as ^^^^ says, if you don't tighten the headset bolt whilst ricking to and fro until the slack goes, then the steerer is loose and you would feel the front vibrating when you apply brakes.

if that is not the case. then maybe something has dropped inside the head tube - does it make a noise when you shake the frame?

hard to diagnose by your desciption. the to-fro method of adjustment is better than your method of just tightening.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I recently fitted a set of carbon bling headset spacers to my Pinarello FP1. I added another 10mm one in there compared to what was fitted as standard as I felt the bars could do with being raised a small amount. I have to say that it has increased comfort by a long shot.

Don't see how you could add another spacer to the ones already there. This would push the top of the stem 10mm above the top of the steerer. Whereas it (or spacer above it) should only be 2-3mm above the end of the steerer tube. Or did you remove one from above the stem and relace it below?