Is a thump or clunk ok on Bumps
10-15-22, 09:32 AM
#1
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Is a thump or clunk ok on Bumps
Just bought a 2004 Lemond Arrivee. Noticed a clunk or movement in the headset when I hit bumps. Is that normal? It's a nice titanium bike that was well taken care of but probably has 5-6000 miles on it. Do I need to take it in already?
10-15-22, 09:40 AM
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The headset needs adjustment. This is pretty easy to do. Loosen the stem pinch bolts and then tighten the top cap until the play in the headset is gone then tighten the pinch bolts back up. Takes less than 5 minutes
10-15-22, 09:45 AM
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One very common reason to feel a clunk over bumps is a loose headset bearing adjustment. The fork will rock slightly fore and aft within the bearings as the tire encounters bumps. The usual quick test for this loose ness is to straddle the bike with both feet on the ground. Apply the front (only front) brake so that tire stays put on the ground while you push/pull the bike forward then rearward. Sometimes placing one's free hand finger on the headset right at the gap between the stationary cups and the moving fork races helps to sense this slop.
The usual fix is to readjust the bearing preload to eliminate the slop but maintain the freely rotating aspect too.
Sometimes the front hub bearings can also be loose enough to mimic this slop, hence the brake applied and rock the bike while feeling for the cup/race slop test. Andy
The usual fix is to readjust the bearing preload to eliminate the slop but maintain the freely rotating aspect too.
Sometimes the front hub bearings can also be loose enough to mimic this slop, hence the brake applied and rock the bike while feeling for the cup/race slop test. Andy
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