Broken headset bearing

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dastott
Posts: 189
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 12:35 pm

by dastott

Had a creaking sound when riding out of the saddle on my SS Evo HM. Cleaned the headset and the sound disappeared but found a crack in this small inner bearing. Seems like I have been riding with it like this for a while. Incidentally I have a spare from another SS Evo HM frame with exactly the same crack in the same bearing. Wondering if this is a big problem, or can I ride it while I wait for delivery of a replacement? Thanks.
Image

DamonRinard
in the industry
Posts: 396
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:32 pm
Location: Connecticut, USA

by DamonRinard

Hi dastott,

Wow, never seen a headset bearing broken like that before. And you have two of them!

In my opinion, the risk of continuing riding for a short time while getting a new replacement is small. Maybe scratch the bearing seat a little, but shouldn't be a problem.

Would you consider contacting your local Cannondale retailer to have them enter this into our warranty system? That way we can include your experience into our database, to address it, if it's a bigger problem than I know.

Thanks,
Damon
Damon Rinard
Engineering Manager, Road Bikes
Cycling Sports Group, Cannondale
Ex-Kestrel, ex-Velomax, ex-Trek, ex-Cervelo

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JScycle
Posts: 260
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:41 pm

by JScycle

dastott wrote:
Sun Jul 08, 2018 10:02 am
Had a creaking sound when riding out of the saddle on my SS Evo HM. Cleaned the headset and the sound disappeared but found a crack in this small inner bearing. Seems like I have been riding with it like this for a while. Incidentally I have a spare from another SS Evo HM frame with exactly the same crack in the same bearing. Wondering if this is a big problem, or can I ride it while I wait for delivery of a replacement? Thanks.
Image
Hi,
Where is the crack? I cannot see it on the photo.
I thought the picture you showed is just the retaining ring.

2lo8
Posts: 551
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2016 10:32 am

by 2lo8

Same, can't tell because it's dirty, but if that's just the crown race or the headset steerer compression ring, they're supposed to be split.
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JScycle
Posts: 260
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:41 pm

by JScycle

I believe it is the piece labelled compression ring
https://imgur.com/a/0Iy82M5

Edit: added link as I'm not sure how to imbed photos
Last edited by JScycle on Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

dastott
Posts: 189
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 12:35 pm

by dastott

Thanks for the replies. After checking around, it seems it is actually the crown race. Some are split smooth it seems but both are mine are split roughly so it looks cracked. Sorry, just a false alarm but have ordered a non-split one, just in case.

JScycle
Posts: 260
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:41 pm

by JScycle

dastott wrote:
Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:07 pm
Thanks for the replies. After checking around, it seems it is actually the crown race. Some are split smooth it seems but both are mine are split roughly so it looks cracked. Sorry, just a false alarm but have ordered a non-split one, just in case.
It could be the crown race. Where did you find this piece? Was it above or below the headtube?

dastott
Posts: 189
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 12:35 pm

by dastott

So, it was above the top tube. So, that is the compression ring?

JScycle
Posts: 260
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:41 pm

by JScycle

dastott wrote:
Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:24 pm
So, it was above the top tube. So, that is the compression ring?
Yes, most crown races will either be integrated into the fork (not sure about the HM fork), clip on or press on. The piece you showed doesn't look like a crown race judging by the photo

dastott
Posts: 189
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 12:35 pm

by dastott

Thanks very much for the info. So, a crack in the compression ring is no big deal?

JScycle
Posts: 260
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:41 pm

by JScycle

dastott wrote:
Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:33 pm
Thanks very much for the info. So, a crack in the compression ring is no big deal?
I don't think it is a crack. It is waaay to perfect looking. Compression rings are made to have a gap in them so they can compress.
https://imgur.com/a/LjepLv9 like in this image

dastott
Posts: 189
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 12:35 pm

by dastott

Thanks very much. I have learnt a lot. Headset is running smoother and quieter now.

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