Specialized Roubaix headset/future shock issue? Self centering?
07-20-20, 09:38 AM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Specialized Roubaix headset/future shock issue? Self centering?
Guys I di some major surgery on my bike a couple weeks ago. All the "hard" stuff went well, no real issues. However, I decided to flip my stem (doing stem adjustments is something I've done on other bikes in the past no issue). The top cap on the steerer tube on the Roubaix is supposed to be of no consequence, it's merely a finishing product. Yet, as soon as I removed it the steer tube wanted to self center as if it was a bearing pre-load issue. At the time I didn't give it a lot of though because I figured I'd put the cap back on and it would go back to normal. Yet when I put the cap back on it does nothing. It's as if the bearing load is wrong. Since I didn't adjust any of the other headset screws I didn't mess with them at all initially. Today I've tried adjusting those and still no results.
Anyone else experienced something similar? This is monumentally frustrating, I may have to find a specialized shop to assist if I can't get this figured out.
I doubt it's a bearing issue since it wasn't a problem at all prior to flipping the stem? Whole situation seems odd to me.
Anyone else experienced something similar? This is monumentally frustrating, I may have to find a specialized shop to assist if I can't get this figured out.
I doubt it's a bearing issue since it wasn't a problem at all prior to flipping the stem? Whole situation seems odd to me.
07-21-20, 09:31 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 92
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
15 Posts
1.0 top cap does nothing
bearing preload is done with the two side small bolts you access through the holes in the big weird looking thing right above the frame top tube. you should be able to replace the stem without having to worry about preload. not sure what you mean by self center. if you can apply the front brake while rocking the bike back and forth and there is no play in the steerer tube then all should be ok with preload.
07-21-20, 10:46 AM
#5
Full Member
Thread Starter
Yea it's bizarre. It feels like there is a detent in the steerer that makes it stiffer on center and again about 35* off center. It's strange and yes I know the stem shouldn't effect the preload which is why it's so weird.
07-21-20, 11:31 AM
#6
Some Weirdo
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Rexburg, ID
Posts: 502
Bikes: '86 Schwinn Prelude, '91 Scott Sawtooth, '73 Raleigh "Grand 3"
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 223 Post(s)
Liked 141 Times
in
92 Posts
That's the headset bearings on their way out. Future Shock requires smaller headset bearings to make space. Go to your LBS de Specialized and have them replaced. So you're aware, the bearings are nonstandard and super pricey. Expect to pay $20-40 for them.
07-21-20, 02:16 PM
#7
Full Member
Thread Starter
Just left the spesh shop they said no issue and to not worry about it. Weird. Maybe the bearings just aren't worn enough in their view to replace?
07-21-20, 02:42 PM
#8
Senior Member
could it be resistance from the cables where they cross under the stem? Maybe when flipping the stem you altered the relationship between the housings and the frame?
07-21-20, 09:29 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 92
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
15 Posts
i can imagine the cable are catching
on the stem faceplate bolts but i would guess you'd know if that was the case. could it be the case?
07-22-20, 08:32 AM
#12
Full Member
Thread Starter
10-11-20, 03:46 PM
#13
Junior Member
I have this exact same issue with the same bike and I haven’t flipped the stem. Were you able to fix it? I’ve tried adjusting the pre-load tension and didn’t notice any difference.
Likes For rob_adams:
10-19-20, 08:22 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Central PA
Posts: 549
Bikes: Focus Arriba, Specialized Roubaix Expert, Bianchi Impulso Allroad
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 82 Times
in
53 Posts
Good info -- Bookmarking this for future reference. A couple of questions:
What was the approximate mileage on your Roubaix before you noticed the problem and had to replace the bearings?
What was the cost of the bearings and replacement labor?
What was the approximate mileage on your Roubaix before you noticed the problem and had to replace the bearings?
What was the cost of the bearings and replacement labor?
10-20-20, 02:58 PM
#16
Junior Member
Roubaix headset bearings
In Stock Products Ordered Sub-Total: $35.98 USPS First Class Mail: $1.99 Total: $37.97
[img]/images/pixel_trans.gif[/img] 2 x S182500006 = $35.98Specialized Roubaix/Ruby/Diverge Headset Upper or Lower Bearing
Likes For rob_adams:
Likes For redcon1:
11-11-20, 07:44 AM
#18
Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've found that the bearing preload screws are a touch difficult to get just right. It seems you get them where you want them regarding bearing play but when you tighten the setscrews it changes the preload. You almost have to anticipate how much the setscrews will change the preload. I noticed in a YouTube video Specialized addressed this issue with the FS 1.5 by allowing for the use of a wrench to hold the preload screws in place while tightening the setscrew. Having said all that I have over 700 hours on my headset bearings and have not encountered the self-centering issue, which reminds me of the old days with the headset bearings used in the 80's and 90's where the ball bearing would make detents on the races.
11-14-20, 11:17 AM
#19
Senior Member
At that rate you will have to replace bearings with every chain. Progress
11-15-20, 06:48 AM
#20
Senior Member
"At that rate you will have to replace bearings with every chain. Progress"
Nope, Specialized. Another egg from the big red S.
Nope, Specialized. Another egg from the big red S.
