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So ... at last I update my frame and start moving parts across from my donar bike.
Uhm, what's this?
An integrated headset?
So after figuring that I need new top and bottom bearings and purchasing a reducer ... I know old skool 1.25" steerer tube, who has those these days ... I go to put it together.
It's a Hope mix & match set and Sonder Frontier frame should you wonder.
I understand the top. I realise I'll need to see how many shims as I tighten things up, the rubber sealing ring seems a bit of a poor fit as it doesn't really have anywhere to sit but I think I'm OK with the top.
Should the sealer ring sit in some kind of guide or channel?
The bottom though. Should the bearing just pop into the frame under hand pressure? It feels a bit tight and might need a press to get it in straight and true? Is this right or should it just drop in by hand?
Thoughts appreciated.
it should slide in nicely. Not take any force.
Two things:
1) there are two sizes, one is the campagnolo integrated headset standard, the other is just the bearings that would normally be in cups. The sizes are 41mm (IS41) and 41.8mm (IS42) for straight steerer 1.125" tubes. I presume there's probably an equivalent for 1.25" and 1.5" headsets too (although I think there might not be, but worth checking before you try and mash a 0.8mm too big headset into the frame).
2) There are (at least) two heights, headsets with seals on the crown race typically have bearings 1mm shorter so the seal runs on the lip formed by the bearing and the frame. There isn't a standard for this, you're expected to use the correct race and bearing.
As for how much effort, some frames they literally drop in, others I find take as much force as my thumbs can muster to get them seated. Never had to use a press though.
As for the top seal, I wouldn't worry, top bearings last so much longer than lower bearings. I'm actually running the wrong top cap on my CX bike as I wanted the 'tall' one off my old headset, it leaves a fraction of a gap. But cheap headsets at £10 a pop mean the upper bearing gets replaced annually anyway with the lower one and is never anywhere near as bad!
Uhm, I thought as much, might pop back to Alpkit and see what they say. Ta.
If the lower bearing is just a wee bit tight then leaving it in the freezer overnight before fitting can help.
Great minds think alike, it's been in the freezer now for about an hour! Will try tomorrow and see what happens. It's defo just a bit too tight, not 0.8mm to big as per first response. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Thanks for the advice.
As above, I think you have inadevertently found the difference between IS41 and IS42.
The headset bearing should drop in with nothing more than a slight push (so long as its straight). If your tempted to start pressing/malleting, then I reckon you've got the wrong size.