Please help me with my Headset....

[Spoke101]

Plastic and there in lies the problem, if we are talking about the same thing "Split Ring" Plastic will never hold up under the stresses and strains of MTB.

 

On the right of this pic is a metal split ring.

 

When you mentioned Avalanche i didn't want to jump the gun but I would never use or recommend Avalanche components be used on a proper MTB.

 

I have nothing against Avalanche or your LBS but Avalanche is generally used on your Game/Makro bike.

Now I don't know the Make/Model of your bike so I can not comment.

 

Price is also a factor as a good quality Headset by a reputable make will set you back R400-R500.

 

All the best with sorting out your problem.

Edited May 29, 2014 by Spoke101

[blacksmith]

This picture was taken when compression bolt was tight.

 

Not sure, but that gap between steerer tube and top cap looks suspicious. Should the cap not be flush with the steerer tube. As it is now, any play from the stem could directly influence the cap. I might be wrong

[Spoke101]

Not sure, but that gap between steerer tube and top cap looks suspicious. Should the cap not be flush with the steerer tube. As it is now, any play from the stem could directly influence the cap. I might be wrong

 

No, There definitely needs to be a gap otherwise the cap bottoms out on the steerer tube before the headset is pulled together.

[shaper]

This picture was taken when compression bolt was tight.

pictures look like there are no spacers between the headset and stem?

[Azza]

Plastic and there in lies the problem, if we are talking about the same thing "Split Ring" Plastic will never hold up under the stresses and strains of MTB.

 

On the right of this pic is a metal split ring.

 

When you mentioned Avalanche i didn't want to jump the gun but I would never use or recommend Avalanche components be used on a proper MTB.

 

I have nothing against Avalanche or your LBS but Avalanche is generally used on your Game/Makro bike.

Now I don't know the Make/Model of your bike so I can not comment.

 

Price is also a factor as a good quality Headset by a reputable make will set you back R400-R500.

 

All the best with sorting out your problem.

 

This is what the upper race and split ring look like.

[Azza]

My old race and split ring.

Edited May 30, 2014 by Azza

[droo]

Spoke, the star nut slipping has nothing to do with a headset coming loose. If your star nut's holding the preload on the headset the stem would rotate and you'd land on your pip in pretty short order.

 

Your second assertion is far more likely - that new headset is made of cheese. "Avalanche" and "mountain bike" don't belong in the same sentence, unless you're referring to Avalanche damper cartridges. Those are ridiculous, but have nothing to do with Pick n Pay special "bicycles".

 

Totally off topic link if you want to know what I'm talking about.

[Azza]

I think i figured out the problem.

 

The new headset is not well made and the split ring does not fit into the upper race... Its to big somehow to fit snug in the upper race. So im using my old race and split ring and all is working perfect now.

[braailegend]

Think you might ge making a fundamental mistake, your top cap should not hold your headset together. Its only to tighten it initially, once youve thightened it, you tighten stem bolts to hold it in place, and then you can loosen your top cap a bit. Your stem should be holding your headset together, not your starnut and top cap.

 

If your stem is not tight enouh, the starnut will probably start pulling loose

[Amberdrake]

Azza id still recommend going out and buying a headset of better quality. Mixing parts might work for now but the headset is still more likely to have problems later on.

[Vangar]

Azza id still recommend going out and buying a headset of better quality. Mixing parts might work for now but the headset is still more likely to have problems later on.

 

I agree with that sentiment. A headset isnt something i'd take chances on. Love my face too much!

[Spoke101]

Spoke, the star nut slipping has nothing to do with a headset coming loose. If your star nut's holding the preload on the headset the stem would rotate and you'd land on your pip in pretty short order.

 

Your second assertion is far more likely - that new headset is made of cheese. "Avalanche" and "mountain bike" don't belong in the same sentence, unless you're referring to Avalanche damper cartridges. Those are ridiculous, but have nothing to do with Pick n Pay special "bicycles".

 

Totally off topic link if you want to know what I'm talking about.

 

I was thinking more along these lines and a carbon steerer

 

Think you might ge making a fundamental mistake, your top cap should not hold your headset together. Its only to tighten it initially, once youve thightened it, you tighten stem bolts to hold it in place, and then you can loosen your top cap a bit. Your stem should be holding your headset together, not your starnut and top cap.

 

If your stem is not tight enouh, the starnut will probably start pulling loose

 

Edited May 30, 2014 by Spoke101