Topic starter
I've bought a bike via ebay - Orbea laufey 24, for the Boy.
Mostly all correct, but this gap on the headset seems a little large to me
Does anyone think this is normal? The bike feels solid, and I have a go at removing the forks and tightening the headset star nut, to the point where it was slightly too tight.
Posted : 24/01/2021 1:58 pm
Maybe worth sending a pic back to the retailer but looks ok to me...lower cup looks properly inserted and lower race looks seated on top of fork crown. The top of fork steerer must be flat so any height on the crown race causes a gap. if you look at the headtube photo of this Orbea and you can see the gap looks the same...
2021 Orbea Laufey H30 24 Inch Childrens Bike in Black £549.00 (plushhillcycles.co.uk)
Posted : 24/01/2021 2:08 pm
Headset is fine. Fork on the other hand.... 
Posted : 24/01/2021 2:14 pm
Topic starter
cheers, looks to have a similar gap on the black model too.
p.s what's wrong with the fork? still waiting for pedals, but bike feels good so far, very light. But some great component's on it. Might have better spec than my bike 
Posted : 24/01/2021 2:59 pm
p.s what’s wrong with the fork?
if im thinking the same as sillyoldman, its not that there's anything wrong with the forks, its just how they have a short single tube section before the legs to increase fork height....just looks 'different'
Posted : 24/01/2021 3:20 pm
Topic starter
ah, yeah has abit of Cannondale's headshock suspension fork look about it, it is a 24inch wheel fork
Posted : 24/01/2021 4:07 pm
Stick a boot on it for full effect!
Posted : 24/01/2021 6:23 pm
It looks a bit like the bearing race isn't quite seated
You are unlikely to seat it by tightening the headset- you will just crush the bearing
Remove the fork and gently tap round its perimeter with a hammer and punch or screwdriver - on the lip! not the bearing face itself.
The fork crown / steerer interface may have a lip on it so it may well be seated correctly.
Most bearing races for cartridge bearings are split designs nowadays (so I've found), so they just press on (or a hacksaw!)
Posted : 24/01/2021 6:54 pm
Bearing in upside down? Lbs fitted a hope headset for me once and put lower bearing in upside down confused me for a while!
Posted : 24/01/2021 8:05 pm
https://www.stirlingcycles.co.uk/detailfast.aspx?ID=24513#miv-2
looks as it should be when you look at other bikes
Posted : 24/01/2021 8:20 pm
It’s probably fine - I’d just get on and ride assuming there’s no weird noises/binding.
But I’d check the headset after a few rides. If the crown race ‘settles’ slightly, the gap might reduce and headset need tightening.
Posted : 25/01/2021 8:08 am
Yeah, bearing in upside down I’d say was the likely culprit.
Posted : 25/01/2021 8:30 am
The forks elongated design mimics the axle to crown length of the suspension fork versions, its just an unusual design, you could look for some 26" short travel non boost forks with quick release dropouts. The bike looks very upgradable.
Posted : 25/01/2021 8:55 am
The fork crown / steerer interface may have a lip on it so it may well be seated correctly.
Agree, the crown race may not be able to go any lower. Only way to find out would be to take the fork off and have a look.
Posted : 25/01/2021 10:04 am
I had a similar problem with a CAADX, when I changed the bearings.
Turned out, I forgot I'd also changed the spacers at the same time (more bling), and there was slightly more stack. Removal of the smallest cured the problem
Posted : 25/01/2021 10:09 am