Headset stuck in carbon frame

[Maker]

I'm trying to get that mountain bike I bought the other day set up properly, I spent all morning fitting thr dropper post properly, fixing the remote lockout and bleeding the brakes, the headset is the last problem with it; its either loose to the point the fork wobbles or tightened and it gets really stiff making the bike feel incredibly unstable.


The top bearing pulled out with a bit of rusty schmoo on it but the bottom one wont budge. I've tried hammering it but being a carbon headtube I'm a bit apprehensive to fully wale on it. I've blowtorched one to loosen it before but again, not doing that with carbon fibre.

Any suggestions? They're pressed into aluminium cups which I believe are bonded into and part of the frame.

 

[dobbslc]

Some freezer spray on the bearing might shrink it enough to knock it out, but I've just found out that freezer spray has massively gone up in price due to some EU xxxxxxxx as they've had to change the way it's made or something

 

[123hotchef]

slide hammer with a hook attachment

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

If you have the top out can't you knock it through from inside?

 

[Climber]

FYI, if you search for info on the Internet, that's an aheadset, not a headset. There is a difference.

 

[Afterimage]

Cut it with a dremel?

 

[Shox Dr]

Might have been loctited in, try a heat gun

 

[Shox Dr]

FYI, if you search for info on the Internet, that's an aheadset, not a headset. There is a difference.

Not with the races there isnt, just the means of adjustment and clamping

 

[Maker]

Done it.
Good suggestions but I went with a careful application of brute force and ignorance.


An 8mm allen key was just the right size to hook under the inner race as a lever, a bit of hammering at the long end and it started to shift, then burst out.

If you have the top out can't you knock it through from inside?

I had been trying that but the cup it fits into has a bit of a return on it so theres only a mm or so so bare on.

A shiny new FSA Orbit is on the way.

 

[atomant48]

What’s the frame ? I’ve got an ‘02 G Zero strike that I bought new ... I’m afraid to ride it these days so it just sits in the corner.

 

[Maker]

It's a Scott Genius 720, I believe from 2016 though I'm not certain.


It's a bit too nice to commute to uni on so I'm thinking of bringing my old road bike here after Christmas and keeping this for ragging around the Peaks, then I've got a nice excuse to get a better road bike when I go home at Easter.

 

[stuvy]

What’s the wheelset, reminds me of a cycle king special

 

[Maker]

Crankbrothers Iodine 3

Very much tubeless compatible but I don't know if it's actually running tubeless, I don't want to check as I wont be able to reseat the tire without a compressor. If it is tubeless I suspect all the fluid has long dried up, the seller knew good components but he was no bike mechanic. Given the position of the seat and all the levers on the bars, I don't think he rode much either.

 

[Scruffywelder]

A shiny new FSA Orbit is on the way.

Falls Swiftly Apart

 

[chunkolini]

A thought is the old bearing race in the frame ok to reuse with fresh bearings. Thats what i would most likely do. Give it good polish first.
Thought no2. Carbon Fibre? burnt toast and glue I've never fancied a carbon bike. I saw one fail years ago.
Ok a home made recumbent frame, the guy had toured and raced it, we had just hit 50mph down a big hill. He stopped, clipped into a pedal and CLICK! the frame shattered into a million bits and he just had the bottom bracket attached to his foot. Amazing how it went. Luckily is was after stopping.
I imagine carbon frames are sorted now but that image never goes away.

 

[chunkolini]

Dont use that a commuter, that would cruel. Find an old nail to use in town.
but do take it out and beast it now and again offroad.

 

[Shox Dr]

I take its intended for XC, those wheels don't look confidence inspiring

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

It take it it intended for XC, those wheels don't look confidence inspiring

I'd take it down the sandpit and kill it in an afternoon on the DH and jumps.

Do miss my old DMR jump bike.

 

[stuvy]

I'd take it down the sandpit and kill it in an afternoon on the DH and jumps.

Do miss my old DMR jump bike.

Had loads of DMR’s broke three shooters from trials and jumping

I worked at a cycle shop as a Saturday boy got to ride all the expensive bikes from sponsorship and loved it there

Had a gorgeous identity Dr Jekyll

 

[Shox Dr]

I was more 20-60 miles XC. I used to import Boulder Bikes
The Green Defiant I bought in 89/90, replacing a Proflex 956. I became the European importer in 93. The Starship LT was bought as a demo in 98ish, liked it so much I kept it. My mate still owns the Defiant.
I rode the Starship yesterday, though I haven’t been off road in 15yrs