 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I've just got a 2017 Scott Spark 730. I've taken the stem off but cannot get the fork out. I've hit it reasonably hard with a hammer. Should I hit it harder or is there something I need to do to the headset or something first? Headset seems to be made of plastic. Photo in case it helps:
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40888765573_96d673fcca_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40888765573_96d673fcca_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/25icBsM ]2019-05-15_01-47-51[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/sl2000/ ]sl2000[/url], on Flickr
there's a seal on the top part of the headset that's gripping the fork - either hit the fork harder or get a lever under the headset component and lift it.
If you hit it with a rubber mallet and it moves a tiny bit down, push the fork back up to loosen the plastic/rubber retaining ring that is sitting around your steerer tube, they can be quite snug, once you get that moving the fork should come out.
Edit: what wwaswas said.
It's not actually a seal. The plastic piece right next to the steerer tube is a split tapered bush. That takes up any freeplay between the steerer and headset bearing, but they tend to lock in place. Try and lever that upwards with a screwdriver or something. Once it moves, all the tension will be released and the fork will just slide out.
Thanks both - success with the 'get a lever under the headset component and lift it' suggestion.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47803290952_c639b3e1e9_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47803290952_c639b3e1e9_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2fQdmXA ]2019-05-15_01-56-21[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/sl2000/ ]sl2000[/url], on Flickr
👍
Headset curtainly looks like it needs some tlc...
Is half the bottom bearing still in the frame?
that's how open race bearings look dangeourbrain - I think we're all used to looking at cartridge bearings on more expensive bikes.
Ideally they should look a little less brown, to be fair đŸ™‚
Ideally they should look a little less brown
Every day's a school day.
Ideally they should look a little less brown, to be fair
Racist!!
that’s how open race bearings look dangeourbrain
It's also very much like the innards of the cheap cartridge bearing headset I once had the displeasure of trying to remove from a frame after it left the outer race in there.
But yes most likely it's an open race.