Cannondale lightweight compression top cap problems

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bikerjulio
Posts: 1900
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: Welland, Ontario

by bikerjulio

The bearings are a loose fit initially and are centered and held in place by the preload.

I still think it's the location of the compression plug.

1. take it out.
2. screw the top cap on to it all the way.
3. back off the top cap by 5mm or so.
4. with stem etc all in place, insert the plug by pushing it in with the cap.
5. tighten plug with allen key through the cap.
6. tighten top cap.

Cannondale's instructions have a slightly different way of doing a similar thing http://media.cannondale.com/media/manuals/2011_webOMS_01_english/2011_webOMS_126884_SuperSixEVO_EN.pdf

Short of flying over there and looking at it, I can't think of much else. If this does not work your next step would be to find a professional to get a second opinion.
There's sometimes a buggy.
How many drivers does a buggy have?

One.

So let's just say I'm drivin' this buggy...
and if you fix your attitude you can ride along with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GekiIMh4ZkM

by Weenie


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OwenJames
Posts: 166
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 3:16 pm

by OwenJames

bikerjulio wrote:The bearings are a loose fit initially and are centered and held in place by the preload.


Ah, thanks for confirming that for me.

So, given that the bearings centre themselves under load, it would make sense that there is not enough compression being applied, and the top bearing is not being held in centre...

I will run through your suggested installation and let you know how it goes.

Appreciated!

Very useful and fast responding technical forum this. Good stuff.

Causidicus
Posts: 320
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:20 am

by Causidicus

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Last edited by Causidicus on Tue Jun 17, 2014 10:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

OwenJames
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Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 3:16 pm

by OwenJames

I see. So you don't know the answer then.

mattr
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Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 6:43 pm
Location: The Grim North.

by mattr

The bearings should be somewhere between a slightly loose fit to a gentle press/tap, as mentioned above, they are held in place by the all the various tapers and the preload. Only headset i've had where they aren't removable by "hand" are Chris King which needs a proper bearing press.

(By hand i mean sometimes they need a tap with something, no violence tho!)

mattr
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Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 6:43 pm
Location: The Grim North.

by mattr

I know cannondale say no spacer above the stem, but could you just try taking your 10mm from under the stem and putting it on top. And see what happens. Just to suck it and see......

OwenJames
Posts: 166
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 3:16 pm

by OwenJames

mattr wrote:The bearings should be somewhere between a slightly loose fit to a gentle press/tap, as mentioned above, they are held in place by the all the various tapers and the preload. Only headset i've had where they aren't removable by "hand" are Chris King which needs a proper bearing press.

(By hand i mean sometimes they need a tap with something, no violence tho!)


Great, thanks for the further clarification! I have only had integrated headsets on 2 bikes so far; all the other frames I have had have been traditional types where you press in top and bottom cups.

So yeah, I seem to remember the CAAD9 bearing dropping easily into the head tube.

mattr wrote:I know cannondale say no spacer above the stem, but could you just try taking your 10mm from under the stem and putting it on top. And see what happens. Just to suck it and see......


I went from a Deda Zero100 stem to a Deda Superleggero.

The Zero100 had 2 x 5mm spacers under it, with none on the top.

The Superleggero has a slightly lower stack height, so I put a 3mm spacer on the top. I have also tried a 5mm spacer, in case the steerer was still sticking out the top of the 3mm spacer.

With both configs I am still getting the problem.

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bikerjulio
Posts: 1900
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: Welland, Ontario

by bikerjulio

Sorry, but just shuffling spacers won't achieve anything.

The Cannondale instructions were in my earlier post today.
There's sometimes a buggy.
How many drivers does a buggy have?

One.

So let's just say I'm drivin' this buggy...
and if you fix your attitude you can ride along with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GekiIMh4ZkM

Causidicus
Posts: 320
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:20 am

by Causidicus

.
Last edited by Causidicus on Tue Jun 17, 2014 10:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

BigCol
Posts: 54
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:03 pm
Location: UK

by BigCol

MIne does this - i put a thin smear of carbon friendly grease on the lower bearing in the frame - problem gone!

Is yours a big frame? MIne is 63cm. Longer steerer so more opportunity for flex / deflection.....

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bikerjulio
Posts: 1900
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: Welland, Ontario

by bikerjulio

Causidicus wrote:
OwenJames wrote:I see. So you don't know the answer then.

I'm not the one with the problem. Sort it out by yourself.


Give OP a chance, he's only been at it for 3 weeks. :)

You twat.


:popcorn:
There's sometimes a buggy.
How many drivers does a buggy have?

One.

So let's just say I'm drivin' this buggy...
and if you fix your attitude you can ride along with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GekiIMh4ZkM

OwenJames
Posts: 166
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 3:16 pm

by OwenJames

Causidicus wrote:
OwenJames wrote:I see. So you don't know the answer then.

I'm not the one with the problem. Sort it out by yourself.


Are you frustrated and angry because you got it wrong about the headset bearings? You are displaying this internal turmoil in a fairly unsophisticated manner.

User avatar
bikerjulio
Posts: 1900
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: Welland, Ontario

by bikerjulio

OwenJames wrote:
Causidicus wrote:
OwenJames wrote:I see. So you don't know the answer then.

I'm not the one with the problem. Sort it out by yourself.


Are you frustrated and angry because you got it wrong about the headset bearings? You are displaying this internal turmoil in a fairly unsophisticated manner.


Well? I'm going for unresolved childhood issues with Meccano that are just now revealing themselves. Or it could be something else. Rest on the couch here and tell us what's on your mind.

:popcorn:
There's sometimes a buggy.
How many drivers does a buggy have?

One.

So let's just say I'm drivin' this buggy...
and if you fix your attitude you can ride along with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GekiIMh4ZkM

OwenJames
Posts: 166
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 3:16 pm

by OwenJames

That, or maybe the modern aheadset design represents a painful metaphor- in order to succeed he has to follow the rules and exist in a state of perpetual compression or restriction. He wants to break free, but he knows if he does it will all fall apart and cause irrepairable damage.

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bikerjulio
Posts: 1900
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: Welland, Ontario

by bikerjulio

OwenJames wrote:That, or maybe the modern aheadset design represents a painful metaphor- in order to succeed he has to follow the rules and exist in a state of perpetual compression or restriction. He wants to break free, but he knows if he does it will all fall apart and cause irrepairable damage.


Always questions........

To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles? What a piece of work is a headset. How simple in reason, how infinite in possibilities.
There's sometimes a buggy.
How many drivers does a buggy have?

One.

So let's just say I'm drivin' this buggy...
and if you fix your attitude you can ride along with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GekiIMh4ZkM

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



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