Tonight's ride hampered by the headset tightening up. After a long and rough descent the steering became really heavy.
Top cap was a tad loose so loosened stem, tightened up top cap, step tightened up and problem gone. Another rough descent and problem has reoccurred.
New frame (second hand), new headset (second hand), is this a sign that headset is on it's way out? Never had any headset issues so unsure the signs.
Is it possible to over tighten the stem and damage the stearer? Is it the stem moving and fouling the headset?
Have I been cursed by an old witch?
No one?
What headset is it? I had similar issues with an on one smoothie headset.
Also I've tight spots in a headset before when my fork steerer was bent where it goes into the crown.
It's a Cane Creek, not sure model but is an integral headset.
I'll have a look at the steerer tonight. It's odd it can be fixed on the trail but rough stuff brings the problem back.
Sounds like the stem is moving down the steerer slightly if the top cap is becoming loose.
That's a possibility. Will give it a strip down tonight. Tightened it blooming tight on the trail last night after I noticed it stiffening up and the problem stiff re-occurred.
I'm confused... how can the top cap loosen whilst the steering becomes tighter?
[i]how can the top cap loosen whilst the steering becomes tighter[/i]
because the stem has slid down the steerer a bit.
...or it's pulling the steerer out of the crown 😯
More likely though that the cups are not properly seated in the frame if both are new (to the OP) but doesn't explain the tightening. Is it definitely the right headset for the frame? bearing would need to be pertty squint or completely knackered to cause tightening like you describe.