Creaking/clicking fork crown

[darthmuller1]

Let me tell you this: I have worked in the MTB fabrication industry in the USA back in the day that there were still many companies fabricating in the US. The most common problem with creaky front ends is bad fitment and inaccurate frame (headtube machining). And this can be the case from the cheapest MTB to the highest priced MTB frameset.

 

Take your bike to someone that really knows what he is doing and has the proper headtube reamers and facers (Parktools or VAR etc.) And have the upper and lower bearing seats done. The fork race face should also be done. 

And then reseat your headset and make sure it is in good condition to start with. A lesser known fault can also be the clamping face at the bottom of the stem can often be not perfectly square. The only way to check this is to have it machined in a lathe, just skim the face.

 

Yes it is not a quick fix. If the creak is coming from the fork crown I would be very concerned. The steerers are all press fitted today.

[whistler]

Thanks for the info!

[darthmuller1]

Definitely not a 'golfer'

[darthmuller1]

Talking about headset fitting. I am currently machining and creating custom parts for my 2015 Trek Fuel frame.

 

Let me stress to the utmost, the integrated headset system is the worst idea that ever happened in MTB (headset) industry!!!!!!!!

 

Chris King has written an excellent article explaining the short comings of this design. If an engineer created this concept he/she should have their title stripped from them.

 

http://chrisking.com/files/pdfs/Int20HeadsetsExplained.pdf

 

This is how we are completely manipulated by ridiculous trends and manufactures that introduce new sizes for no good reason what so ever.

 

How many headset standards are there today? I would at a guess say at least 15 variations.

And then there is the bunch of new BB standards, just more nonsense to create more sales.

[DirtyDan]

Talking about headset fitting. I am currently machining and creating custom parts for my 2015 Trek Fuel frame.

 

Let me stress to the utmost, the integrated headset system is the worst idea that ever happened in MTB (headset) industry!!!!!!!!

 

Chris King has written an excellent article explaining the short comings of this design. If an engineer created this concept he/she should have their title stripped from them.

 

http://chrisking.com/files/pdfs/Int20HeadsetsExplained.pdf

 

This is how we are completely manipulated by ridiculous trends and manufactures that introduce new sizes for no good reason what so ever.

 

How many headset standards are there today? I would at a guess say at least 15 variations.

And then there is the bunch of new BB standards, just more nonsense to create more sales.

Too true.

[BIERSTEKER]

Went for a ride last night. This annoying "click/rattle" sound appeared from the cockpit. Drove me insane. A 60min ride took 130mins to complete because of stopping every 5 mins to look for this rattle. Ended up being a loose spacer under the stem. Somehow the stem moved up slightly. All sorted. Maybe time for a torque wrench....

Hopefully you get sorted soon.

[darthmuller1]

Torque wrenches are great and should be used as often as possible.

 

But if you notice this event happening again, I would almost guarantee it is a situation where one of the bearing surfaces in not parallel to the next. This will cause a tiny rocking action as you ride , acts like a pry bar lifting your stem and eventually creating a small gap. 

[TheV]

Talking about headset fitting. I am currently machining and creating custom parts for my 2015 Trek Fuel frame.

 

Let me stress to the utmost, the integrated headset system is the worst idea that ever happened in MTB (headset) industry!!!!!!!!

 

Chris King has written an excellent article explaining the short comings of this design. If an engineer created this concept he/she should have their title stripped from them.

 

http://chrisking.com/files/pdfs/Int20HeadsetsExplained.pdf

 

This is how we are completely manipulated by ridiculous trends and manufactures that introduce new sizes for no good reason what so ever.

 

How many headset standards are there today? I would at a guess say at least 15 variations.

And then there is the bunch of new BB standards, just more nonsense to create more sales.

 

Dude, that's so 2002 - literally,  and a lot has changed since then. I personally prefer the semi-integrated design with press-in cups, and my personal favourite is actually the CK Inset range.  

 

The early Pyga's have never had the best finishing, maybe it has more to do with the facing of the headtube, and not the actual design. My first Pyga had to use a seatpost shim because it came off the production line with a totally arb seatpost dimensions... The cable routing was also not really totally solved and you had to come up with your own routing plan under the BB.

 

You also don't know who's building these Pyga's because they are mostly sold as frame kits and often built by noob's....

[BIERSTEKER]

Thank you for the info!

[johannrissik]

Dude, that's so 2002 - literally,  and a lot has changed since then. I personally prefer the semi-integrated design with press-in cups, and my personal favourite is actually the CK Inset range.  

 

The early Pyga's have never had the best finishing, maybe it has more to do with the facing of the headtube, and not the actual design. My first Pyga had to use a seatpost shim because it came off the production line with a totally arb seatpost dimensions... The cable routing was also not really totally solved and you had to come up with your own routing plan under the BB.

 

You also don't know who's building these Pyga's because they are mostly sold as frame kits and often built by noob's....

I think you have just confirmed darthmuller1's point

[darthmuller1]

NOT so 2002 at all if you really look around. Many frame manufactures still using the integrated headset system. Trek 2015 range is prime example. And the semi integrated headset design, is only half a step better. The bearings are still not totally secure, only difference is now the cups take the abuse and not the frame.

 But still problematic floating bearing issue.

 

I do have extensive experience in bearings and frame alignment, press fitting etc. I worked for a frame manufacturer in the USA and I checked all the frames after heat treatment. Reaming, facing, and tolerance checking. I worked with CNC machinists and designers to make adjustments where necessary.

 

And many years later I still machine custom parts for friends and myself. I manufacture my own specialised facing and reaming tooling and go as far as making custom cutters for frame repairs.