|   Alternatives to star-mangled nut? | Stephen
Oct 16, 2001 2:03 AM | | I installed a Bomber Z3 in the summer, with an old FSA Orbit headset which was lying around. I used a standard Ritchey top cap and star-fangled nut. The headset kept coming loose. Now, I understand the mechanics of the Aheadset - the top cap is just to help get the right tension on the bearings before tightening the stem. Now, even if I really crank on the bolts in the stem (to the point that my sensitive fingers are telling me I am on the verge of aluminum threads yielding), it still comes loose. To further complicate matters, now my star-fangled nut just glides up the steerer tube when I try to reset the bearings. So, first, is there a better alternative to the SF nut, second, is the FSA really such a hunk of junk that it is predisposed to loosening, and third, are there particular stems which clamp better(I'm using a generic Ritchey stem)? Thanks |
| re: Alternatives to star-mangled nut? | NCN
Oct 16, 2001 3:52 AM | | Chances are that the stem isn't coming loose, but rather that your trashed star nut isn't allowing you to set things up tight enough in the first place. Azonic makes a thing called a "headlock" which goes all the way through the steer tube and holds things together, and FSA and other manufacturers make an expanding plug kinda thing. The cheapest thing would be to just put in a new star nut -- should only cost a couple of $ at your LBS.
NCN |
| Agreed... | Metroid
Oct 16, 2001 5:41 AM | | And chances are that they will knock it in for you all for under $5 and your worries will be over. On the otherhand, if your shop doesn't have this the proper tool (shown below), don't walk but run out of there. This was most likely the cause of your original problem.
 |
| not to sound like a jerk, but........ | heff®
Oct 16, 2001 6:55 AM | | .....did you also use an old star nut? If so, those things can't be reused.
Ok, now for the jerky part. You say you understand the mechanics of how a headset/stem works, but at the same time you're telling me that not only are you continuing to try to use a star nut that isn't doing it's job, but ALSO seriously overtightening your stem. The headset isn't to blame (and FSA makes some darn good headsets), the guy turning the wrench is....and you're leaving yourself in a VERY unsafe condition. The minute that star nut started to slip, it should have been replaced. Personally, I only have to reset my headset when I take it apart once a year for a cleaning.
You can either buy a new star nut (make sure it's the right size for your steer tube, alloy steerers have a smaller internal diameter than steel), install it properly, then install your stem correctly. You should have no issues. While you're at it, replace the stem clamp bolts, as the fact that you've been overtorquing them may have fatigued the metal to the point of being unsafe.
There, now I'm done being an arse.
heff® |
| this guy IS a jerk.... | Cook
Oct 16, 2001 7:47 AM | | ....but he makes up for it by knowing what he's talking about. |
| gee, THANKS, bud...... *grin* | heff®
Oct 16, 2001 9:09 AM | | hey, I apologized in advance......sometimes what you're about to say comes out sounding rather.....priggish.
Jus' wait til I get me Magura Julies to try out, and have a whole boatload of dumb questions to ask...... |
| not to sound like a jerk, but........ | Stephen
Oct 17, 2001 2:10 AM | | Thanks for the advice. Based on what you could read in my note, you're certainly not being a jerk. It's hard to convey a sequence of events in a short message. I also used some exaggeration for dramatic effect. To clarify, I didn't torque the stem bolts beyond what would be reasonable. Still, the headset which had no play in the garage developed play on the trail. The star-nut came gliding up the steerer tube the last time I tried to adjust it, so I parked the bike immediately and wrote my note. Yes, it was a new nut, and no, I wasn't trying to re-use it after it slipped in the tube. I'll try again with another new one. |
| Sounds like a stem problem as well.... | Metroid
Oct 17, 2001 6:30 AM | | The top cap adjustments should be made with the stem bolts LOOSE. Once the headset bearings are tight, the stem bolts should then be tightened. The stem bolts should then hold the headset tight. Technically, you shouldn't need the top cap or SFN again until you loosen the stem bolts again. So if you are following this process and the headset is loosening, it would be the stem being loose at fault and not the SFN. As heff sugguested, you might need to look at new stem bolts or maybe a new stem.
Good luck. |
| Azonic Headlock Rules. nm. | RED5
Oct 16, 2001 11:36 AM | | . |
| Starnut is cheap, simple and effective. Used properly, it works | clary.
Oct 16, 2001 8:03 PM | | |
| re: Alternatives to star-mangled nut? | TIME SPORT
Oct 26, 2001 8:55 AM | | Look for our new Microset headset adjuster to be on the market in the spring of 2002. The TIME Microset will allow for the adjustment of your headset to be done and set before you mount the stem on to the steering column.
Sincerely,
TIME SPORT
info@timesportusa.com
877-727-7661 toll free
www.timesportusa.com
TIME socks, t-shirts, arm-warmers, water bottles and more available from TIME SPORT!
Send your address to sales@timesportusa.com for our 2002 Softgoods Product Catalog. |
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