Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association - Forums

Like the technical forum!
Appreciate all the feedback on the grip issue, going to mount the Ourys when I get a chance...here's my next question about my Chris King Threadless Headset which I had installed by a shop...sealed bearings we all know,  my maintenance is the typical disassemble and lube the cups both top and bottom (I use lithium grease) put all back together, snug the Headset bolt, them tighten the stem.
Ok pardon me for boring all... here's the issue - I am getting a 'binding' noise when I crank the bars all the way until the bar could hit the top tube, or sometimes when I just pick up my bike or hanging in my bike stand (no issues when I'm riding).  No kidding -  I haven't over-tightened anything, maybe not enough grease? I'm neurotic I guess. Here is where I'm suspect - my spacers seem to get a little out of line after a while, and these are the spacers that came with my bike,  so in the past I've disaasembled and realigned, though is seems to avoid this noise I have to do this at least every 150 miles or so.  Are my spacers crap to begin with, not enough grease or is this 'normal' maintenance of my headset (top end)?

I would suspect the spacers.. it's tough to tell w/out hearing it.  But i have King headsets on all 3 of my MTB's and have never had to do maintenance on them... and I ride A LOT.   Make sure it's tightened and seated properly ...  Maybe it's not pressed in properly -  You could use a headset press to seat it properly

Or the head tube wasn't properly faced (meaning the ends might not be perfectly square to each other).  That's a lot more common than one would think - whether it's from paint overspray or poor prep out of the factory/shop.

Has that condition always existed or it's noticeable after the service?


Karl

Besides what was said, do you have the scuff washer on top of the "top cap", under the bottom spacer?  http://chrisking.com/parts/snapandsealkits.html (http://chrisking.com/parts/snapandsealkits.html)  its the white washer in the picture.

Threadless King headsets only hold the top of the steerer tube with a rubber o-ring.   I would check that for damage too, as it should be tight as possible fit on to the steerer tube.  Even if good, this allows movement at the top between the bearing cap and your spacer/stem.   It's a work around for a proper wedge, because Cane Creek owns the patent on it.   

It's a very poor design IMO.   The nylon scuff washer is to shut it up, because there IS movement up there and the fretting motion of the top cap to spacer/stem will make noise.   It also will wear the top cap and spacer/stem weird.  More likely to notice on long or stiff fork setups and/or with shorter head tube.

But that said, the bearings are quality and you shouldn't have to grease the thing. 

-Chuck

I noticed this after about 1000 miles of riding (yea I'm a mileage dweeb). I believe this was a quality install (Broomall Bikeline) Anyway, I Try to do 25 miles a week would do more but work gets in the way.
Last night I torn down everything once again and slathered the top and bottom caps with more lithium grease. the noise went away.  I think I may not of had enough grease when I initially torn things down.  Now it seems to whole front end rotates better.
My bike is an 06' Trek Fuel Ex7 with a Reba up front, with as many mods I can afford. Decent bike. I like the fork a lot. I maintain the heck out of the bike. I installed the Ouray grips per the forum recommendations. All is good for now, I don't like the spacers much, seem cheap. The diameters (2 pieces) may be a bit too big for the fork tube. All is good for now, great feedback thank you!

Get the King factory spacers. Here are some on ebay. Not only are they CNC aluminum, they are trick looking!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Chris-King-Headset-Spacer-Set-1-1-8-Inch-Blue_W0QQitemZ280238398353QQihZ018QQcategoryZ42336QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

Or just search eBay with "Chris King Spacers"

BTW, I own the King hub and headset service tool set and I have taken apart my King headsets and thoroughly cleaned them and applied their factory lube, which came with the tool kit. I love King as they are professionally built and they help the home mechanic big time... Not to mention they are a environmentally friendly company...

Oh yea - thats the ticket Lou! Thats what I'm looking for! Chris King Spacers - NICE!!!!!
By the way Lou - always wish you the best you know get well soon - I few years back I plopped right on my noggin', spained my neck bad, slap-dislocated my shoulder all from taking the outer edge of a turn on my bike and hit quick sand or something. It hurt so bad.
I had surgery, literally had my shoulder screwed together, and morphin all that crap I was all fucked up. We're all a little crazy I guess. I hurt myself recently again.  Really appreciate your biking karma - it got me back on the horse so to speak, you'll be all right rest and more rest and rest take it easy you need the time to heal OK I'll shut up enough already!!  ;D

Wow that sounds like it sucked! Luckily I dont have to get any surgery but I am still hurt and it sucks. But I'll be back up to speed soon. Crashing and/or getting hurt is part of riding!

Every accident I've ever had has been on a bike. Love it.  WORD