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I need to replace the headset on my 2015 Cube Stereo, but I'm struggling to work out which one I need.
I could not find any headset details in the bike specification (other than CUBE I-t integrated, top 1 1/8", bottom 1 1/2") and Cube customer support have been useless as always. I think that this may be the one I need, but I'm really not sure.
The current headset bearings in the frame are from Hope/Enduro, and only the bottom one is labelled (ACB4545 1.5"). However, I'm not sure whether these are the correct size at all, as I started experiencing creaking soon after they were installed by my old local bike shop (I have cleaned them and re-greased the cups several times since then, but to little effect).
To complicate matters further, a mechanic at my new local bike shop noticed that there was no crown race installed on the fork steerer (it's a RockShox Pike). He installed one, but now there seems to be a rather large gap (3-4mm) between the frame and the fork, which doesn't look quite right.
Another thing that got me thinking is whether the contact angles of the bearings are correct. I'm not sure whether the frame is designed to take 36 or 45 degrees - it's really difficult to measure.
If this helps, I measured the inside dimeters of the headtube. Top measures 41.4mm, bottom measures 52.5mm.
Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance for your help.
Almost everybody uses 45 degrees I think - and if you're buying an entire new headset I struggle to see why it'd need to be "desinged in" with the frame.
Sounds like you need a integrated headset, yeah. Doubt you need one that has "Cube" in he title though.
Is your crown race properly seated on the fork?
Are you sure it's not your fork creaking? (some Pikes do that, I think)
Are you happy there's no damage to the headtube or fork from running without a race?
and please take all the above with a large pich of IANAMechanic/engineer/orevenlawyer
I think id be 99% happy that the one in your link is the right headset, and you’re currently running the wrong bearings, wrong angles and probably a mm too deep.
Buy the headset, fit the correct crown race and new bearings and all should be right. Its slightly strange though because if the other lbs has fitted the correct crown race the only difference is the bearing height which shouldnt give you that big a gap, as the 45deg angle into the headset cup is correct.
No crown race sounds very odd - it's have expected the fork to flop about something rotten but by the by.
I think this is what you want
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/fsa-orbit-i-t-cube-edition-459319
Note there are no cups. They're bonded into the frame so the "headset" is just bearings, crown race and covers.
Edit: same as your link (sorry didn't see that).
The bearing specs are there any how.
Quick follow up question - if 45 degrees is the modern standard, why does this bearing set mention both 36 degrees and 4 degrees? I'm a bit confused.
Also, would a bearing set include a crown race as standard?
to add, having actually read your post:
ACB4545 sounds a lot like it's 45deg frame fit but also 45deg race fit while the one you link to is 45deg frame fit but 36 race fit
Who knows what race you have in there - 2nd shop might have put in the "cube-correct" 36deg race which isn't right for a 45 deg bearing (and maybe won't "sink in" quite as far into the bearing, leaving it a bit proud)
I still reckon you don't actually need that specific headset but it does seem to be the original specced one, so I guess why not ?
Also, would a bearing set include a crown race as standard?
have you seen that thread or are you really asking ?
(answer - if just buying bearings, likely not. If buying the headset, probably