Loose Headset Road Bike
While it s possible to swiftly tighten a loose headset a closer inspection is required to discover the underlying cause.
Loose headset road bike. I own a cannondale super six 105 ultegra now carbon 2012 bike and i can t stop the wobble in the headset. The headset is the bearing assembly that fits to a bike s head tube and allows the fork and front wheel to turn. The frame is an intec m1 see document page 6. It might not be the sexiest component in the world but it does a vital job.
If you hear or feel a knock or rattle or clunk stop and try to re create it. Diagnosing a loose headset. The easiest way to find a loose headset is to pay attention when you re moving your bike around like rolling it up over a lip in the pavement or curb to park at a coffee shop etc. Also if i apply the front brake and rock the bike back and fore there s play from the headset.
4 5 and 6mm would be a good place. A rattling headset will make your steering sloppy and if you don t fix the problem. Luckily tightening a headset is an easy job. If your threadless bike headset has more chatter than a sunday afternoon church social it s probably loose.
Jon places the bike in the work stand and removes the front wheel. If i tighten down the top cap with 6mm hex i can get rid of the wobble hands on the drops holding brakes headset has a fair bit of play but i cannot move the wheels freely with the handlebars. It has a 1 1 8 fork tube. The current headset is a xlc a51an.
Road cycling forum. As is the bike is pretty much unrideable since the fork would wobble every time i brake. If you have a bike bought in the last 10 years or so your headset should be this type. I guess it s an external headset but not really sure.
If the underside of the topcap touches the top of the steerer all the bolt does it tighten them together and the headset will stay loose. When it s working as it should you probably won t notice your headset too much but you will become conscious of it if it needs regreasing or starts to wear out because your steering will begin to suffer. I tried too and yeah let s face it that headset is probably bad or badly installed. It can affect braking and steering and make the bike less safe.