Specialized Enduro headset pains

[Rock Guy]

I opened up the headset on my 2019 Enduro over the weekend to give it a "quick" clean and grease. To my dismay it became immediately apparent that the stock headset is absolute rubbish. It seems the development team over at FSA's OEM parts department may have accidentally developed the perfect one way valve for trapping dirt and water. ALL the water and dirt gets in there, and nothing escapes. Bearings are rusted after being replaced less than a year ago ( I've only ridden ~2000km, no races and no pressure washer). 

I had Cane Creek 40s fitted to my last two bikes and neither of them ever had any issues. Its quite obvious that the FSA headset I have now is far lower quality, the top has only a single o-ring sitting in the middle of the cap, and there is a visible gap between the frame and the top cap of about 1.5mm.

I've taken the bike back to Specialized after noticing the obvious gap, they haven't been very helpful. They only removed the ~0.25mm shim that rested on top of the compression ring, which has clearly not solved the problem. It's also not an easy problem to solve as Specialized seem to use a somewhat unique integrated headset system, making it difficult to find alternative headsets.

I'd like to know if anyone has had similar issues with their Specialized bikes and what your solutions were? I'm quite sure that if I continue using this headset, it will eventually cause damage to the frame.

(For reference, I have the carbon 2019 Specialized Enduro Expert 27.5)

[Headshot]

Sorry to hear - I have a 2018 27.5 Comp and have had no headset issues in nearly 4 years ( don't get me started on rear shocks). It definitely doesn't have a gap like you describe. What do Spesh want for a new headset bearing kit?

I suggest you chat to Stoke and see what they can do. 

[Rock Guy]

Just now, Headshot said:

Sorry to hear - I have a 2018 27.5 Comp and have had no headset issues in nearly 4 years ( don't get me started on rear shocks). It definitely doesn't have a gap like you describe. What do Spesh want for a new headset bearing kit?

I suggest you chat to Stoke and see what they can do. 

I haven't even asked Specialized for quote. Their lack of interest in fixing it the first time round makes it very difficult for me to go back there. I'm sure new bearings wont cost too much, but I'd rather just have the problem solved.

[Jewbacca]

If the top cap has a gap to the frame, you either have the wrong top cap, the wrong top race thingy that compresses between the bearing and the steerer, both, or your top cap is missing a dust seal.

You can find a shop with a good workshop and fit different compression race thingies to see which sits lower, or try a top cap with a bigger lip and/or seal.

It's not a big deal tbh. You can make something work

[droo]

18 minutes ago, Jewbacca said:

If the top cap has a gap to the frame, you either have the wrong top cap, the wrong top race thingy that compresses between the bearing and the steerer, both, or your top cap is missing a dust seal.

You can find a shop with a good workshop and fit different compression race thingies to see which sits lower, or try a top cap with a bigger lip and/or seal.

It's not a big deal tbh. You can make something work

I'll put money on the wrong bearing. The Spez bearing has a recess on the inner race so the topcap sits flush and the seal seals. Use the worng bearing and you end up with the OP's problem.

 

OP - bring it round, it's a 15 minute job. I have the right thing, and if it's not that I'll at least be able to tell you what the issue is. Bring the spacer that got removed, it'll need to go back in.

[Jewbacca]

1 minute ago, droo said:

I'll put money on the wrong bearing. The Spez bearing has a recess on the inner race so the topcap sits flush and the seal seals. Use the worng bearing and you end up with the OP's problem.

 

OP - bring it round, it's a 15 minute job. I have the right thing, and if it's not that I'll at least be able to tell you what the issue is. Bring the spacer that got removed, it'll need to go back in.

This is also true.... Either way there is an easy solution without reinventing the wheel.

While I have you, do TREK superfly carbon 9.8 frames use a bigger bottom bearing diameter? 

[Rock Guy]

43 minutes ago, droo said:

I'll put money on the wrong bearing. The Spez bearing has a recess on the inner race so the topcap sits flush and the seal seals. Use the worng bearing and you end up with the OP's problem.

 

OP - bring it round, it's a 15 minute job. I have the right thing, and if it's not that I'll at least be able to tell you what the issue is. Bring the spacer that got removed, it'll need to go back in.

Cool Droo.

I'll try and swing by tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

[droo]

1 hour ago, Jewbacca said:

This is also true.... Either way there is an easy solution without reinventing the wheel.

While I have you, do TREK superfly carbon 9.8 frames use a bigger bottom bearing diameter? 

MR2437 I think, and MR2237E on the LHS crank if it's a SRAM crank.

 

Trek do sell an OE replacement kit if you don't feel like the faff, but if you bring me the frame or the bearings I can measure for you.

[Jewbacca]

1 minute ago, droo said:

MR2437 I think, and MR2237E on the LHS crank if it's a SRAM crank.

 

Trek do sell an OE replacement kit if you don't feel like the faff, but if you bring me the frame or the bearings I can measure for you.

I'm busy sticking the frame back together, albeit in a much smaller guise.

I will bring it round once I've got it squared up and the carbon/epoxy has all cured sufficiently

20 inch carbon dual suss here we come!