How loose is too loose - headset cups

[ishaw]

I bought a lovely titanium rsp off here recently and had a few mins free tonight so I thought I'd fit the headset. Got the tools out but I didn't need them as the Chris king simply slotted straight in. There doesn't seem to be any play to speak of, but the cups can be pulled on and off fairly easily and the bottom cup can be spun. So is this ok to use? When it is all tensioned up I doubt it will move, and I have a woodman head lock I can use, but is this safe? Will the frame get damaged when used like this?

The frame and headset have been in the garage so will the cold temperature have had any impact on the fit?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[malt]

Does the head tube have any signs of stress or look a little out of whack?

 

[ishaw]

Does the head tube have any signs of stress or look a little out of whack?

Nothing at all, the whole frame is pretty tip top all round.

 

[unkleGsif]

try a different headset?
might be the cups as well as the frame... different cups might be tighter, and that headset on a different frame might also not be an issue

G

 

[beepbeep]

unkleGsif has a good point, I've experienced that myself, although I seem to remember that a King headset was the one that was tighter.

I've also read about, and used with success, threadlock. But this will probably depend on how lose the headset is.

Chris King also make headsets with long collars (for DH I'd guess), that was a solution I was considering before the threadlock.

 

[ishaw]

Thanks, I will try a few other head sets and see how I go. Ideally wanted to run a king, and had a similar king related issue with an old frame so hopefully all will be well.

I'm assuming as long as there is no lateral play, thread lock would be fine to use?

 

[fatfixie]

Loctite bearing fit would be better

From memory King also make ( as an extra option) marginally oversized cups to fix this problem.

I wouldn't use a King steelset as the frame may not be reamed far down enough...

Andy

 

[ishaw]

Loctite bearing fit would be better

From memory King also make ( as an extra option) marginally oversized cups to fix this problem.

I wouldn't use a King steelset as the frame may not be reamed far down enough...

Andy

Thanks, I think a longer headset would work at the bottom, but not at the top due to the reaming as you mention. Interesting about the slightly oversized king cups. Not heard of this before, I assume google will reveal all but if you have any info or links that would be great, though not sure at this stage I can stretch to new prices.

 

[fatfixie]

http://chrisking.com/tech/tech_headsets makes reference to the slightly OS cups made.

Aspire Velo Tech are good with supplying all the odd/spare King bits

If i was you i'd use the bearing fit. despite what it says on the King HS tech page it works pretty well

The old school way which i still use sometimes is making shims from alu soft drinks cans. cut a strip and use between the cup and the frame. Sounds bodgy but works fine..

Andy

 

[MikeD]

You can put dimples in the cup with a centre punch. Wouldn't do that with a King, but I've done it with cheap headsets with success.