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So the trailvision/Blueseal bearings arrived as per Traceys link
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50520067427_70e4df355a_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50520067427_70e4df355a_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2jYhxXi ]2020-10-23_01-22-30[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50519179613_13af670741_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50519179613_13af670741_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2jYd13a ]2020-10-23_01-24-39[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
As you can see, they're exactly the same as the Edgesports bearings, i mean EXACTLY...
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50519900541_847bb27b52_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50519900541_847bb27b52_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2jYgGkX ]2020-10-23_01-25-25[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Both though are completely different to the bearing that came with the bike. Both in terms of height externally and height internally.
This is as you can see, the inside of the frame/headstock
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50519196603_b0949b1bf0_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50519196603_b0949b1bf0_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2jYd666 ]2020-10-23_01-29-22[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
In all honesty, i'm at a bit of a loss now in terms of how to progress lol.
If i fit either the Edgesport or the Trailvision bearings, then they're tall in the frame and to completely be covered would need a taller dust cap, otherwise we've got a gap there...
I'm going to drop into Specialized a bit later and see their thoughts as i've got to shoot into town anyhow.
For a point of note... EVERYTHING is now back as it was when the bike first came to me..
Ah i see whats happened here, youve got the wrong bearings 🙂
if you look att he first one youll see its got a ledge on the inside. this means that the headset sleeve fits slightly deeper into the bearing and consequently the whole thing pulls down.
hope that helps
Ah i see whats happened here, youve got the wrong bearings
Nah, i'm still lost here. Sorry. I've got 2 sets of the bearings that are the ones people have said i needed. I'll be the first to admit, they're slightly different to the one that the bike came with, but i have no concept of what that one is as there's no words and letterings on it...
I'm looking at your pic, but still can't see the difference between them.
OK, before clicking that and being another bearing and £18 in the hole, i'm going to drop into Specialized and see what they say, just had a chat with the workshop fella there.
He said "there can be a small gap between the dust cover and the frame, which is normal".
I guess we'll see what he thinks when i get down there.
yea the inner race should have a step on it. yours doesnt appear to?
So specialized confirm I have the right headset in the 8mm and it's purely a cosmetic thing we're fixing and we're happy with a lower stack compression ring on there with 8mm bearing.
They're fine with bearing protruding as that's normal he says.
So we're all good and now have about 3 sets of bearings in spares for the coming years ha ha.
Glad to hear that. I still can't figure out why the topcap gap is there. Next time we change one or service it I will get a photo of whats under it to compare with your pics.
Hope the invisiframe goes to plan
Most of the frame was already done by you guys, just chainstays etc and a few contact points.
Can confirm that my bearing looks like the one from Trailvision. although mine measured with calipers is 7mm. top-cap fits snugly with no gap. Also the bearing sits directly onto the carbon of the head-tube rather than a metal insert.
sounds like you got it sorted anyway.
I've been up to the camper this morning to drain it off as we can't go out of South Yorkshire in Tier 3.
I've fetched back my bearing box and checked the six that are in it.
For those that are interested
There are 2 new from Trail Vision that are stamped up as per their site. Both measure 7.78mm
There are two new Specialized ones with no stamps on them. Both measure 7.76mm
There are two original used Specialized ones. These are what have been swapped from Abigales race bikes but are two good to dump so will be used for spares if needed. One measures 7.56mm and one 7.61mm
I've also had a long chat with a Mechanical Engineer who was not suprized at the difference.
He recons a used bearing will always measure less due to less grease and also slight wear.
Not sure if he's right or not but it may be the reason
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To be fair, you have 3 sets of TH870E bearings, you might just make it to Spring with a working headset ;o)
Are they common to go then?
I replace my headset bearings in the Whytes about 18 month/2 years, certainly not that regularly.
No ours haven't and get used all year round. The Trail Vision/Blue Seal ones are supposed to be packed with marine grease.
If any thing we have changed the bottom ones after a wet and muddy Peak winter and then probably didn't need it.
The four that are Specialized supplied ones have no markings on them so no idea of what brand or number they are.
They Engineer I had a chat to was very informative on how the top cap, top crown race and inner bearing work and why it should be a little proud of the frame, also why it should be rechecked after its bedded in.
Excellent.... We're all good then 🙂
His is ready to roll.
Thats good, hope he's feeling a bit better.
I had a very nice gin and T last night with a slice of frozen grapefruit in it.😉
I had this with an older enduro expert, tried various bearings but all left a small gap when top cap was fitted. Bikescene in Guisborough saved the day, knew exactly what I meant as soon as I started to describe the problem, the lad disappeared into the workshop and returned with a bearing without me actually finishing what I was trying to describe. Perfect fit and lasted the rest of the time I owned the bike
Are they common to go then?
Top bearing generally lasts OK but IME the bottom one can take a hammering, last one fell apart as I took it out, so I normally check every few months to see if it looks OK. currently has a CK lower in to see if it lasts a bit longer.
Yeah I don't mind getting 6-12 months, it takes minutes to change, just the way it was said earlier I thought they may be more common.
I've got 2 full sets in spares for the S Works and the G160 so no worries at all
After i emailed Edgesports, they called me today. We discussed everything and anything possible about the headset, then he picked out 3 potential options of bearing and is sending all 3 in the post completely free of cost, for me to test out and decide which i want to run for the future.
The headset is currently set up as per Specialized bearings. The only thing i don't know 100% is the compression ring, so i'm running the lower one of the 2 i have here. I've also got the 0.25mm spacer fitted under the dust cap, again as per Specialized instructions.
We'll see what the postman bring and what i decide to do next with it 🙂
Firstly though is dirt and mud in FoD on Thursday.
I know this is dragging on, but may be useful to someone on the internet one day.
I got the 2 new bearings from Edgesports, but if i'm honest, neither really fit the bike any better than the one that came with the bike originally.
So i've sent their 2 bearings back, along with sending the one that was in the bike to them to see if they can match it up. If not, i'll just keep running the one that is the dimensions from Specialized. All good fun though.