Unpopular opinion: most shops over-tighten the preload on threadless headsets

I see it all the time, especially on new builds from big box stores. They crank the top cap bolt down like it's holding the frame together. All that does is bind the bearings and wear them out fast. You just need enough tension to remove play, maybe 2-3 Nm on the top cap before you lock the stem bolts. Anyone else find they have to re-adjust almost every headset that comes in for a tune?

2 comments

2 Comments

gray55718d ago

Forget the bearings, they're crushing the actual fork steerer tube. I've seen carbon ones with permanent compression rings from that kind of torque. It's a basic step that gets messed up constantly.

simonw4118d ago

Use a torque wrench and follow the manufacturer's specs to avoid that.