Head tube reaming on a new frame

[retroJIM]

Hi all,

I've bought a brand new frame set and the bottom bracket has been chased and faced as well as the top tube. However when fitting the top headset cup (zs44) it was an extremely tight fit. So tight in fact that the bearings don't fit into the race when the cups are installed in the frame.

I think this may be because the head tube is slightly ovalised. So my question is should I take it to my lbs to be reamed (assuming they have the tools) or should it be sorted by the manufacturer?

 

[ishaw]

I'd take it back to where you bought it from as it should be up to them to sort if defective.

I'd be surprised you could fit the bearings to the point they deform and stop the crown race fitting, I'd worry the frame would crack at the head tube if they are that tight.

Good luck sorting it whatever route you take.

 

[Frankenorange]

I've bought a brand new frame set

I think this may be because the head tube is slightly ovalised.

should it be sorted by the manufacturer?

You should not even be asking this question. Fire it straight back where it came from and get another.

 

[retroJIM]

Response from frame manufacturer "I have checked with the head mechanic and he said the Hope top bearings can often be tight. We would recommend tapping it in gently with a hammer, making sure to make contact with the outer race and hitting it evenly across the whole bearing". I'm not sure what Hope would say about that so I popped to my LBS for a second opinion. They lent me a Park tools reamer and fifteen minutes later I got the bearing to fit with just a very gentle tap.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Response from frame manufacturer "I have checked with the head mechanic and he said the Hope top bearings can often be tight. We would recommend tapping it in gently with a hammer"

Wow.
Please tell us the frame manufacturer!

 

[retroJIM]

Fairlight

 

[d8mok]

should be perfect out the box at that money. And if it isn’t they should be bending over backwards to sort it.

Im sure it would have gone differently if you’d posted it via their socials.

 

[retroJIM]

Well, I posted it via my Socials (on here)

It's soured the purchase somewhat but the frame is lovely so I'm going to let them off.

 

[bikeworkshop]

I've never fitted a headset bearing with a hammer, and hope I never will.

Imagine the workshop reaction if a trainee mechanic was fitting a hope headset with a hammer!