question about spacer/bearing cover on Supersix Evo

[garjo]

Hi,
on my Supersix Evo I'm using two spacers under the stem: the 25mm carbon spacer and the 5mm spacer/bearing cover.
I've noticed there's a 1/1,5mm gap between the carbon spacer and the frame because, even if all the system is fully compressed, the 5mm spacer doesn't let the 25mm spacer sticks to the frame, is it just normal, could I remove the 5mm spacer?
is there a upper bearing cover with a minor obstruction?

[bikerjulio]

If the spacer was contacting the frame, then the handlebars would bind or jam completely.

The lower, thin cover is required. The tall one is optional.

[meanmachine]

HI, I have the same problem with my 2016 Evo Frame which I purchased on Tuesday
The shopper tell me that was very strange but he said that he will check and send the frame for a change under warranty

[Nefarious86]

That 1mm gap is pretty standard to prevent binding. Second bike with the bearing looking like its not set correctly not so much.

[bikerjulio]

That's a horrendous spacer stack. I hope you're not going to ride it like that.

You do understand that there has to be a gap?

I agree it looks a little large and uneven. If it was a functional issue then you have a valid complaint. Cannot really tell just from photos.

[meanmachine]

@bikerjulio thks for the advise, for your info i will not ride with those spacers (stack)
i put the carbon cup+30mm spacers + 2 stems in order to close and tight the headset plug and not cutting the fork tube

have a look to this ones, no gap between the pipe and cup

[bikerjulio]

I agree that the gap you show is a little large. I went around my bikes, including 2 Cannondales, and could typically just get a business card in the gap.

If you are 100% sure the correct bearing is there, and the assembly is tightened down, then that does show a bit of a QC problem with the frame. If they are willing to warranty it, then go that route.

[NiFTY]

Those are 2 low res pictures from above not side-on. Is the headset preloaded - this is needed to compress the headset and will shrink the gap. Also as the others have said if there is no gap between the carbon spacer and the painted top tube how is the headaet going to turn? Space is needed for the bearings to work.

[meanmachine]

Hi @bikerjulio
The shopper said to me that he is 100x100 sure that the bearing and headset are the correct, but i cannot trust him because he said that
everything run well when he mounted the fork in the frame at the shop,,, he is a liar

thks ¡¡¡¡

[meanmachine]

Hi, @NiFTY, so you do you think that he gap is OK ???
for your info in the last of my frame pic (the black & white one) the headset is fully mounted & compressed ¡¡¡¡

also here you have some pics of my previous bike, a supersixx evo 2015, there was no gap, and the headset work 100x100 correctly ¡¡¡

[bikerjulio]

Look at the top headset and report here exactly the markings on it. Cannondale use Campy spec bearings, commonly known as Italian standard.

The wrong bearing will result in the problem you have.

edit. I went and found some bearings and discovered something interesting - that even "Ita" marked bearing can be different heights.

Genuine Campy are 8mm, whereas I also have a Cane Creek "Ita" bearing that measures 6.5 mm.

According to this guy, the top bearing should be 6.5 mm thick. http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=135531

The total stack difference is NOT 1.5 mm because the genuine Campy one has a deeper tapered section, however eyeballing the 2 together it still looks like the thinner one has about 1/2 mm less shoulder height.

I doubt that this your problem, but worth a look.

[NiFTY]

The gap looks ok. I found that as everything wears in the gap will shrink and you will need to adjust headset preload (as they are angular contact bearings) Iam at the stage where i have had to add thin washers under the headset top cap to prevent it from touching the frame. (Using a slam that stem and now veloflyte bearing cover)

[Valbrona]

1/ Get the same upper bearing in 1mm lower depth.

or 2/ Get another upper bearing collet which gives a slightly different stack.

or 3/ Get another bearing conver with a different skirt height.

[meanmachine]

Hi,
I checked he bearing, and ,, the bearing is a TANGE SEIKI 4T5-5 41.8/30.2/45º SUJ-2,
height 6.30mm, im sure 100x100 that this bearing is correct

Also i check the height of the inner cover, it has 4.18mm height, maybe is here the problem ??


Regarding the comment of NiFTY I sure 100x100 that the preload cannot adjust that gap the frame is carbon fiber . the bearing is steel, how to shrink that ???

[bikerjulio]

Since the bearing is correct, the top cap is correct, then it's got to be a frame problem.