The head tube facing is supposed to be at the time of manufacture, along with the reaming and tapping of the threads. If the factory can't comprehend it, then it's up to the retailer to do this at no additional charge. I'm surprised how it's being accepted as normal, acceptable or even expected. That work is part of what you're paying for with a new frame. Charging extra would be, to me, unscrupulous. And that's that.
On Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 2:40:25 PM UTC-4 Matti wrote: > I have a Sam Hillborne and noticed a headset problem when climbing and > applying upper body force to the bars... It was a distinct fore and aft > movement that could be felt (but not heard) and it was hard to duplicate > the sensation when bike was static on the floor while rocking the bike back > and forth with front brake applied. I tried multiple times to adjust the > headset, with no luck. I finally brought the bike into a shop and they > adjusted the headset, telling me it was loose. So far it seems the problem > is fixed, but if it comes back, I'll see if the head tube needs > machining/alignment recommended by Peter White. I think that process is > considered standard practice for frame prep in some shops: > https://analogcycles.com/pages/frame-prep > > On Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 3:10:26 PM UTC-7 peter...@gmail.com wrote: > >> Leah, >> >> My wife and I both ride Rivendell frames. She has an Atlantis, and I have >> a Rambouillet. They both ride wonderfully. The frame geometry is excellent. >> But they both had the same issues with the steerer tube machining and head >> tube machining that all Rivendell frames have, except for the custom >> frames. The ends of the head tube are not exactly perpendicular to the >> geometric axis of the head tube, and the fork crowns are not precisely >> machined >> so that the headset parts don't always line up correctly. Take your bike >> to an experienced mechanic who has the appropriate tools to machine the >> head tune and the fork crown so that the headset components are in the >> correct alignment. Then your bike will really shine. >> >> Email me directly and I'll try to find a shop that can fix this for you. >> >> p...@peterwhitecycles.com >> >> On Sat, Oct 5, 2024 at 4:29 PM Leah Peterson <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Ted, I’ve had the loose clunking headset on my Betty Foy and your >>> description is my memory of it. >>> >>> I got 19 miles in this morning. At first, everything was blissfully >>> quiet and sturdy. By mile 12 the ticking came back. Not as bad, but it’s >>> there. Remember in the video when I applied pressure to the left grip and >>> could initiate the sound? Now it’s in the right grip. I can’t do it >>> consistently and there doesn’t seem to be correlation with weight on the >>> bars. I did throw that bike around heartily today. I took it on a wooded >>> trail with tons of tree roots to bash over and inclines to stand up and >>> pull on the bars. >>> [image: image0.jpeg] >>> >>> It’s just so frustrating. I’m worried there’s a more sinister problem, >>> like in the head tube/steerer. Like, please not the frame. I can replace >>> any component and will do so with gladness, but please let my frame be ok. >>> It’s my #1 favorite bike and it’s so special. >>> >>> Joe thinks maybe a new headset. I wonder if I should spring for new bars >>> and stem. >>> >>> Buying new things to address unknown problems with old things…sounds >>> expensive. But I’d do it if I knew it would fix the ticking. >>> L >>> >>> On Oct 4, 2024, at 8:50 PM, Ted Durant <tedd...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> On Friday, October 4, 2024 at 4:43:09 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >>> wrote: >>> >>> He found that the headset was loose, so he tightened that too (and >>> mashed the headset cup or spacer or whatever in the process). >>> >>> >>> It's worth noting that, while the frames ship with headsets, they aren't >>> installed. Despite trying to be careful about installation, I have found on >>> all three of my Sams that the FSA headsets seem to loosen up pretty quickly >>> after initial installation, and the linear bearings seem to want the >>> adjustable surface to be pretty tight, tighter than normal ball bearing >>> headsets. >>> >>> That said, I wouldn't describe the sound of a loose headset as >>> "ticking", it's more like "clunking" and is readily felt and seen by >>> applying the front brake and pushing the bike forward and back. >>> >>> And I would be irate if a shop mechanic handed back my bike with a >>> mangled part. My headset locknuts are bit scuffed but I only have myself to >>> blame :-) >>> >>> Ted Durant >>> Milwaukee, WI USA >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/uU_ZxeE0Pag/unsubscribe >>> . >>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/00dc9fa9-1594-4c78-ad38-9d6f68f14bd7n%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/00dc9fa9-1594-4c78-ad38-9d6f68f14bd7n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >>> -- >>> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/4B4D26CC-1579-4187-980C-1FE5C9F86728%40gmail.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/4B4D26CC-1579-4187-980C-1FE5C9F86728%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> >> >> -- >> Peter White >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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