Facing needed?

[eloach]

I'd like to put a Hope 1 1/8 headset into my Racer-X frame. I have installed headsets four times and have a Park headset press, never faced, never had a problem. Someone mentioned facing prior to the headset install.

Now, since this is the best frame I have owned, I am paranoid. Do I really need to worry about facing on stuff that is so standardized now days? Have I just been lucky so far? I'd hate to crack or otherwise damage the head tube on such an expensive frame. I thought that facing was pretty much a thing of the past prior to 1 1/8 threadless standardization, but it wouldn't be a cheap mistake, so I though I'd ask.

Any info would be most helpful.

[jabberwocky]

Most modern high-end frames are using machined head tubes that don't really need to be faced. You might contact Titus to check.

The only real issue is that if the headset cups aren't parallel it can have an adverse effect on headset bearing life.

[walsh]

Some people I know get 'faced prior to beginning any major bike overhaul.

[DaveG]

I'd like to put a Hope 1 1/8 headset into my Racer-X frame. I have installed headsets four times and have a Park headset press, never faced, never had a problem. Someone mentioned facing prior to the headset install.

Now, since this is the best frame I have owned, I am paranoid. Do I really need to worry about facing on stuff that is so standardized now days? Have I just been lucky so far? I'd hate to crack or otherwise damage the head tube on such an expensive frame. I thought that facing was pretty much a thing of the past prior to 1 1/8 threadless standardization, but it wouldn't be a cheap mistake, so I though I'd ask.

Any info would be most helpful.


I'd check w/ Titus to be 100% sure though.

[BikerMiker]

If there is paint or anodizing on the 'face' of the headtube, I would have it faced. The VAST majorityof bikes don't need to be faced these days. Most bike makers are doing a great job finishing their frames.

You are probably ok, just check for paint/ano.

mike

[macdaid]

If I'm not hijacking this thread by asking (it is a related question);

My front end has had a little rattle in it for a while and i've been thinking its a leaky seal on the fork, as nothing else has seemed loose. Well, on that really cold Sunday last weekend when stuff on my bike was freezing up and what not, the rattle was more pronounced. I felt around as I wiggled it and discovered the upper race was moving in the head tube; visibly rocking in the bearing seat.

I didn't have the head tube faced when I installed the head set, and used a home-made press. I'm going to disassemble it and check it all out but, is it likely that I've damaged the head tube, and if so can a pro facing job fix it?

Thanks,

Dave



If there is paint or anodizing on the 'face' of the headtube, I would have it faced. The VAST majorityof bikes don't need to be faced these days. Most bike makers are doing a great job finishing their frames.

You are probably ok, just check for paint/ano.

mike

[jabberwocky]

I didn't have the head tube faced when I installed the head set, and used a home-made press. I'm going to disassemble it and check it all out but, is it likely that I've damaged the head tube, and if so can a pro facing job fix it?The only thing facing accomplishes is that it insures that the bearings in the headset are perfectly parallel with each other. This helps bearing life, and also reduces creaking due to misaligned spacers/headset parts. It won't affect frame life in any way.

It sounds like you have a headset issue. Hopefully it isn't an ovalized headtube. I have a park press and headset removal tool if you want to pull it and look at it.