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!

 

[Lucidone]

I know this doesn't help you but many years ago I had a Fairlight Faran 1 delivered to me in piss poor order - they did make it right with a replacement bike and 1/2 my money back after making my feelings clear - I'd be asking for a proper remedy or a replacement frame (if it's miles out) personally.


To give you an idea of what I received here's my emails in response to unpacking the bike.......

Dear Jon and Dom,

One more thing to add to the below list, the rear wheel doesn't sit centrally in the rear triangle, either the dish is wrong or the frame is out.

Mark.

On Mon, Sep 4, 2017 at 10:04 PM, [email protected]> wrote:

Dear Jon and Dom,

On top of the poor delivery / communication issues I've now had a brief opportunity to have a look at the bike delivered - yet more disappointment I'm unhappy to report.

Please find below a list and a link to images of the issues found on a quick look over on returning from work this evening (you'll soon understand I haven't been able to assemble / ride the bike):
Both wheel rims are damaged with multiple scratches and decal damage.
The rear wheel is out of (lateral) true by >1.5mm.
Damage to rear skewer.
I couldn't establish front wheel true as a front skewer wasn't included!
No bellows rubber boots on front or rear disc cables to prevent dirt ingress (shown present on Faran Tiagra images).
Seat post damaged / poor decals (looks like a second or shop soiled).
Seat surface stained.
Tubes fitted with valves out of line with no lock nuts or even valve caps!
Gear cable fouling / running over rear brake cable.
The down tube gusset is not fully welded or at least sealed - is this by design?
Overall the bike arrived in a very grubby state, covered in greasy fingerprints - not a good first impression.
On the plus side the my son likes the colours.

Photo's link

It appears to me that whoever assembled / signed off this bike most likely doesn't have the future success of your business at the forefront of their mind. I could understand if a Halfords Saturday helper put a bike together like this but it's not anything approaching a professional (or even enthusiastic amateur) bike build. What is going wrong?

Again, rather than me trying to clearly communicate my frustration and disappointment please take a good five minutes and imagine how you would feel........pretty crap isn't it!

Please make this right.
Mark