Hi, I live in Los Angeles/Orange County, and was wondering if there are any framebuilders nearby that have a reamer meant for the IS42 integrated bearing cup?
I purchased a frame from a storied American framebuilder, who now has all his frames built overseas. Unfortunately for me, my frame passed QA with a pretty ovalized/heat distorted headtube, so my bearings do not sit in the cup properly. The factory either did not, or did a shit job reaming it back to spec. Even when I overtighten the headset preload to the point where my handlebars start to bind when turning them, I still am able to detect movement/rock in the upper headset bearings. It’s painfully obvious to me there there are a few high points in the 45 degree bearing seat of the headset cup. The manufacturer so far has been less than helpful and keeps claiming that everything is within spec. I cannot find a single bike shop with the correct cutter for is42.I just need to even out the 45 degree conical bearing seat and I think I will be good to go, but I would hate to have to buy the cyclus tool just for this single job. I’m willing to pay a reasonable amount to anyone that can help me out with this. Thank you so much!
Sorry to hear. If you make it up to the Bay, we can help you out. All our steel frames are IS42/52 https://www.neuhausmetalworks.com/
Is there a way for you check where the high and low spots are? Maybe with a sharpie on the bearing? I am curious. From what I understand, in asia, they don’t post ream headtubes. They use press-fit heat sinks. So something must have gone really wrong, or maybe the headset is having issues.
Hi Daniel, thank you so much for the offer. Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be up in NorCal anytime soon…still, thank you.
I know exactly where the high point is. It’s along the drive side/non drive side axis. It’s higher there, causing the bearing to rock/see-saw in the fore and aft position, because its not being fully supported by the 45 conical bearing seat, in all 360 degrees. I’ve attached a video clip.
It’s a Ritchey…which has been a bummer because I’ve always wanted one, but their warranty department/customer service has been super dodgy. I brought up the issue when I received the frame and they assured me it wouldn’t be an issue once built and properly preloaded. I gave them a ton of details, measurements etc, and they would simply reply “it’s within spec.”
It’s an interesting design choice by them. It’s unique because its not a 44mm headtube, but rather 1-1/8. I don’t think they machine their headtubes this way to form the cups, but rather possibly weld these wider cups to the 1-1/8 head tube. This design supposedly saves weight, but in reality, it’s kind of stupid because this problem could have been avoided if they just used a traditional straight headtube with pressed fit external headset cups.
That is a machined headtube, the tt/ht weld elongated the headtube front to back causing the pinch point and associated high spot that you are fighting. Is there paint on the bearing seat? it is possible that is exacerbating the issue.
Hi Nick,
Thanks for your reply, clarification and insight. I was guessing it was ovalized because of the heat during welding, so I believe you are confirming that. It had ED-coating throughout the entire frame. I already took light sandpaper to try to knock it back to bare steel to see if it would help, but it made a negligible difference.
After some back and forth, they’ve ultimately agreed to take back the frame to try to ream it for me, so fingers crossed, this should be resolved shortly
Wow, that is warped!
That is good news that they are helping you sort it out. Ritchey has some good people working there, but they are a really small company. The USA operations have 4 people (?). Not an excuse, but just a reality.
Ironically, the Ritchey HQ is 20min south of here, so the frame ended up in Norcal anyways!