Strange steering issue
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Strange steering issue
So, looking for some advice, have kind of a strange situation. Here is what's up:
-Finished building up a bike with the Nashbar touring frame/fork the other day
-As soon as I take it for a spin, it's clear something is wrong. It feels like an invisible hand is shoving the front wheel to either side at intervals. It feels like a challenge to go straight and not fall, and riding no hands is out of the question.
-I've had old bikes in the past that pull to one side or the other. It doesn't feel anything like that. If you've ever done the physics experiment where you hold a spinning wheel and turn it to feel the gyroscopic forces, it feels something like that, somehow. I have three other bikes and am a pretty experienced rider so I don't think it's my riding ability that's the issue.
-I immediately suspected the headset. I had my LBS install the cups, but I did the rest of the install. I redo it a couple of times, can't find anything wrong, but it does seem like it is oddly difficult to get the headset into the zone where it's not too tight but there's no play. In fact, there's always a little play. I experimented with riding the bike with the headset obviously tight or loose but the issue doesn't go away.
-I take it to my LBS, they fiddle with the headset for five minutes and agree that it seems "off", but don't have time to investigate that day and kind of imply that a new headset will be cheaper than them investing significant time into figuring out what's up.
-The headset is a new Cane Creek 10 series.
So, I'm a bit mystified by it all. Seems like the headset is at fault simply because I can't think of anything else that could cause this, but I can't find anything obviously terribly wrong with the headset. Also the fact that the problem is there even when the headset is way too loose makes me wonder if it's something else.
Before I order a new headset slash try to return this one, has anyone experienced anything like this? Does this sound like a "bad" headset? Or like something else is the matter?
Thanks for any help...
EDIT: before anyone asks, yes I have sufficient spacers extending beyond the steerer so the headset cap can preload the bearings. I am using an expander plug rather than a star nut for the moment until I cut the steerer to its final length (though I don' t know why that should matter).
-Finished building up a bike with the Nashbar touring frame/fork the other day
-As soon as I take it for a spin, it's clear something is wrong. It feels like an invisible hand is shoving the front wheel to either side at intervals. It feels like a challenge to go straight and not fall, and riding no hands is out of the question.
-I've had old bikes in the past that pull to one side or the other. It doesn't feel anything like that. If you've ever done the physics experiment where you hold a spinning wheel and turn it to feel the gyroscopic forces, it feels something like that, somehow. I have three other bikes and am a pretty experienced rider so I don't think it's my riding ability that's the issue.
-I immediately suspected the headset. I had my LBS install the cups, but I did the rest of the install. I redo it a couple of times, can't find anything wrong, but it does seem like it is oddly difficult to get the headset into the zone where it's not too tight but there's no play. In fact, there's always a little play. I experimented with riding the bike with the headset obviously tight or loose but the issue doesn't go away.
-I take it to my LBS, they fiddle with the headset for five minutes and agree that it seems "off", but don't have time to investigate that day and kind of imply that a new headset will be cheaper than them investing significant time into figuring out what's up.
-The headset is a new Cane Creek 10 series.
So, I'm a bit mystified by it all. Seems like the headset is at fault simply because I can't think of anything else that could cause this, but I can't find anything obviously terribly wrong with the headset. Also the fact that the problem is there even when the headset is way too loose makes me wonder if it's something else.
Before I order a new headset slash try to return this one, has anyone experienced anything like this? Does this sound like a "bad" headset? Or like something else is the matter?
Thanks for any help...
EDIT: before anyone asks, yes I have sufficient spacers extending beyond the steerer so the headset cap can preload the bearings. I am using an expander plug rather than a star nut for the moment until I cut the steerer to its final length (though I don' t know why that should matter).
Last edited by swf8322; 09-08-13 at 03:25 PM. Reason: clarity
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I suspect it's the headset installation. The type of squirrelly steering you describe is characteristic of a tight or binding headset. That makes it stick/slip as you make the tiny corrections necessary to balance a bike. The handling along with your headaches adjusting point to a headset issue.
My first guess is that one or both bearings are upside down. Or a spacer is missing or something like that. Pull the handlebar stem, drop the fork and take a look.
One other possibility is the steerer rubbing in the lower bearing cup. This used to never happen, but these days some forks have the crown seat bulge extend too high, and overlap in the sleeve area of the lower cup. A high bulge combined with a thick walled headset will bind like yours. Test for it, by removing the fork and seeing if the bulge extends above the crown. Also insert the fork into the frame without the lower bearing and see if it's tight or even rubs the least bit.
If you have a fork/headset rub, the remedy is to use a reamer or half round file to open up the headset's ID enough to resolve it. Note: YOU CANNOT SAFELY REDUCE THE DIAMETER OF THE STEERER CROWN BULGE. SO DON'T EVEN CONSIDER IT AN OPTION.
My first guess is that one or both bearings are upside down. Or a spacer is missing or something like that. Pull the handlebar stem, drop the fork and take a look.
One other possibility is the steerer rubbing in the lower bearing cup. This used to never happen, but these days some forks have the crown seat bulge extend too high, and overlap in the sleeve area of the lower cup. A high bulge combined with a thick walled headset will bind like yours. Test for it, by removing the fork and seeing if the bulge extends above the crown. Also insert the fork into the frame without the lower bearing and see if it's tight or even rubs the least bit.
If you have a fork/headset rub, the remedy is to use a reamer or half round file to open up the headset's ID enough to resolve it. Note: YOU CANNOT SAFELY REDUCE THE DIAMETER OF THE STEERER CROWN BULGE. SO DON'T EVEN CONSIDER IT AN OPTION.
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Last edited by FBinNY; 09-08-13 at 03:35 PM.
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My first guess is that one or both bearings are upside down.
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OK just cross referenced this pic https://www.treefortbikes.com/images/raw/TF-HD0048-2.jpg with the instructions and it is clear I've installed one of the bearings upside down! Thanks FBinNY. Will report back.
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The bearings I'm talking about are pictured here: https://www.treefortbikes.com/images/raw/TF-HD0048-2.jpg. Interestingly, in this photo, they are green ring up, writing upside down (you can just make out an upside-down "A" on each). So maybe I did do it wrong...
On your headset the sequence from the bottom to top is: cone -cup-cup-cone. So the bearings would also mirror, one up, one down.
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Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 09-08-13 at 03:45 PM.
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Whoops look like I edited as you were replying. In case case you're absolutely right, I installed one bearing upside down.
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There's a lesson here, and that's not to be fooled by writing or assumptions, but to pre-assemble parts in your hand so you can see what fits where. Nine out 10 times, if you give them a chance the parts themselves will tell you how they are supposed to fit.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 09-08-13 at 04:03 PM.
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Could be worse, might have been both.
There's a lesson here, and that's not to be fooled by writing or assumptions, but to pre-assemble parts in your hand so you can see what fits where. Nine out 10 times, if you give them a chance the parts themselves will tell you how they are supposed to fit.
There's a lesson here, and that's not to be fooled by writing or assumptions, but to pre-assemble parts in your hand so you can see what fits where. Nine out 10 times, if you give them a chance the parts themselves will tell you how they are supposed to fit.
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Syria's easy, have you ever looked at the A&S forum?
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#12
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Here, here. Observation of how things fit together and interact with other parts is what makes one successful in working on anything mechanical. Following rote instructions works great when you're in a Park tool laboratory situation, but in the real world Murphy's law rewards the observation, manipulation, and logic.
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I know people here just love saying this, but he said the LBS didn't really have time for it that day. Doesn't sound like they disassembled anything, just tried to make an adjustment. I'm sure they would have caught it if the bike had been left there.
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I don't say anything because I love saying it; I say it because it's what I think. Maybe the LBS suggested it was installed upside down, but the OP didn't say that. They suggest a new headset instead of checking their cup installation. I stand by my statement.
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The skills most lost in shops today relate to diagnostics. Mechanics cannot look at signs and translate those to possibilities. Also many mechanics are simply "component hangers" who can set up new equipment fine, but lack the fundamental skill and knowledge to solve problems and make stuff work.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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The skills most lost in shops today relate to diagnostics. Mechanics cannot look at signs and translate those to possibilities. Also many mechanics are simply "component hangers" who can set up new equipment fine, but lack the fundamental skill and knowledge to solve problems and make stuff work.
#19
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Hate to say it, but I agree. It would have taken a couple minutes to drop the fork and check out the bearings. Why look at it at all if you can't take 5 minute to check out a headset issue?
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These days too many mechanics are too quick to say "this is broken, you need a new one". I translate this to mean "this is broken, you need a new mechanic". Of course this isn't always true, some things can't be fixed, or at least not economically, but too many mechanics cannot fix anything.
I once watched a mechanic align a hanger twice. The RD didn't index right, so he removed it and used a Park tool to align the hanger. Installed the RD which still didn't work, so off it came, and the park hanger tool went back. Really, what did he think was going to change in the hanger alignment? Or didn't he trust his first effort?
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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#23
You Know!? For Kids!
Okay, that made me chuckle out loud! I thank you. I may have to steel that....
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#25
You Know!? For Kids!
So, you saw what I did there, huh?
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