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It's a 2019 stumpjumper.. integrated headset..
Despite frequent cleaning and regreasing (normal grease, sometimes copper grease) it still starts to creak... the headset bearing EASILY slips in and out - I.e it's NOT a tight fit in the carbon frame headset bit..
Could i have ovalised the frame? Can you do that to carbon? Should I just try new bearings perhaps?
DrP
Loctite retaining compound (600 numbers, bright green) ought to sort that out if the headset cups are slightly misshapen.
the headset bearing EASILY slips in and out
My Enduro top bearing does as well.
Could i have ovalised the frame? Can you do that to carbon?
Seems unlikely unless you're Charlie Murray? I don't think 'humans' have much chance of doing it. I'd try new bearings and see how you get on?
if the headset cups are slightly misshapen.
Integrated, no cups to mis-shape.
Are you totally sure it's the headset? Try new bearings but clean all residue of old grease out of the frame before you fit the new ones and clean with something like brake cleaner, then apply fresh grease.
If it continues after this try everything at the front end like brake caliper, spokes, wheel bearings, stem / bar clamp etc.
New bearings as a starter.
Could it be something other than the actual bearing? The Acros headset in one of my bikes creaks badly unless I regrease it frequently - it's the stupid plastic wedge/pressing ring that sits between the bearing and top cover. Acros headset. No such problems with the decent Hope/Cane Creek headsets in my other bikes where that bit is metal.
I had this on an old carbon frame I picked up for my son. I got it 2nd hand with an unknown history so I'm not sure if it had poor tolerances from the factory or it had changed shape slightly over time but the bearing always had the tiniest bit of movement, not enough to feel when done up but enough to creak.
In the end I put a couple of wraps of PTFE tape around the outside of the bearing (the yellow gas one which is a bit thicker) and that was just enough to stop the creak. It is a bit bodgy but it worked brilliantly without a noise from that point on.
it's deffo the headset...
A bucket load of greese stops it for a white..
Have just come back from the alps adn there was such force in teh wall-like berms it was creaking going through them..
And the classic 'stand up adn honk' made it creak too...
Cheers for the advice... will try new bearings, and loctite, and if all fails, PTFE..
DrP
@pictonroad .. this may help you too...
If it still happens with a new headset installed normally and and the bike was new to you, I'd start a warranty claim as it could be a tolerance thing.
I had the same with a bike that wasn't new to me and PTFE worked for longer than grease, but bearing sleeve assembly loctite has been good for 1.5 seasons now.
Integrated, no cups to mis-shape.
Green Loctite will eliminate any play between headset and bearing. A decent compression ring will do the same between the steerer and the bearing.
After doing all that if the noise is still there, start tearing your hair out.