Silly technical question

twinges in the hinges

OK folks sorry if this sounds stupid but since I can't wrap my head around it here goes.

I am thinking of replacing the headset on my road bike and have purchased a Chris king 1" no thread headset. I am happy that this is the right size for my frame and the fork tube measures at 1" in diameter also. I am also satisfied that the top and bottom of the headset are the right size to go into the frame.

Here is where I am confused however - when I remove the fork and pass it through the new headset off the bike the built in bearings do not make contact with the steerer tube. It seems that the bearings are slightly wider than the diameter of the tube. Is this correct? Am I missing something? Is it necessary for the fork tube to be a tight fit in the bearing and do I need a fork with a wider tube?

I have not fitted the new headset yet and this is confusing the hell out of me. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

WillyFXP

twinges in the hinges wrote: »

OK folks sorry if this sounds stupid but since I can't wrap my head around it here goes.

I am thinking of replacing the headset on my road bike and have purchased a Chris king 1" no thread headset. I am happy that this is the right size for my frame and the fork tube measures at 1" in diameter also. I am also satisfied that the top and bottom of the headset are the right size to go into the frame.

Here is where I am confused however - when I remove the fork and pass it through the new headset off the bike the built in bearings do not make contact with the steerer tube. It seems that the bearings are slightly wider than the diameter of the tube. Is this correct? Am I missing something? Is it necessary for the fork tube to be a tight fit in the bearing and do I need a fork with a wider tube?

I have not fitted the new headset yet and this is confusing the hell out of me. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

You have the correct SIZE headset, but I've no idea if its the correct model. What bike is it? Presuming it IS the correct model then the bearings don't actually sit tight on the steerer tube, they sit on the compression rings that fit snuggly, but not tight, onto the steerer. There will also be a much tighter ring called the headrace or baseplate. There will be an old one already on your steerer at the bottom, it may even look like its part of the fork, but it's not and it needs to be replaced with the one from the new headset. These can be difficult to remove and there are special tools needed. LBS can do it (if they use a screwdriver or chisel to loosen it, change LBS). Once you have this replaced its just a case of putting each component on in the correct order and fitting the stem and top cap.

laraghrider

The bearings don't make contact with the tube. The make contact with the crownrace which as described above looks like a tight washer at the base of the steerer tube.

twinges in the hinges

Many thanks for the responses. Confirmation of the fact that the bearings do not make contact with the steerer tube clinches it for me !