Answer to your Etiquette Question: If you find yourself 3-4 minutes ahead of someone on a no-drop ride then you’ve already messed up. Should really be able to stop immediately or very shortly after the incident. If you do somehow find yourself ahead of someone then you go back to find them. End of. To go to the extreme, they could be alone and seriously injured not just punctured.
Thanks dude, try and add a bit of an edge to the vids. I honestly can’t for for a proper adventure challenge to make a longer vid though. Bring on the Summer
You won’t regret it. There’s a MAAP ride there on Feb 15th. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maap-x-bdw-happy-to-ride-here-london-tickets-1226556325989?aff=ebdsshcopyurl
Hey Max great video, just booked my first IRL race of the year, its the same course as the Portmore Classic in Wool. Same organiser just a different sponsor its on the 23rd Feb.
Great video. Funny my previous T1550 1st gen had the same issue with the compression plug and I always would have excess play after 2 or so rides and would need to constantly tighten it up. I sold my T1550 and just built a SLC and on the two rides so far on it haven't had any issues with the headset so I am a little curious about how you sort out your SLC3
I've had similar issues with a headset coming loose. I got hold a Mt Zoom Ultalight headset expander - seems have better teeth to grip the inside on the steerer tube.
I can confirm it was cold and I had to turn on the heating in the gloves a couple of times! For the fork, did you check if it is the compression plug that is moving out of the steerer tube? Or it could be that the fork is cut too high and it is bottoming out and touches the top cap before enough compression is enabled. If you remove the top cap you should be able to see if the compression plug is still seated, if so I would look at the space between the top of the compression plug and the bottom of the top cap.
I’m glad your hands were warmer than mine. Yes, and a few times it was the bung being pulled out of the fork by the top cap. But also the play in the front end is forcing the bung up. I’ve made sure there’s enough of a gap for the top cap to fasten down properly, I even increased the size of the spacer just to make sure. The original bung is plastic and not gripping the fork enough. This one seems to be better. Love that we connect on a bike engenering level
Your headset issue sounds like the head tube may not be level, usually because of residual paint or lacquer, so the bearings aren’t sat level, which means that you can’t get even compression. Try dropping the forks and a light sanding to level the head tube 🤞
I would be interested to see the compression ring/bearings in your headset. I had the exact same rocking problem with a build, switched the bearings and compression ring to a Deda DCR set up and problem solved instantly.. Until that point I could tighten the top cap, stop the knocking, but as soon as you start riding again it would come back after a few miles or so. If the compression ring is trash no amount of tightening will take up the slack and that is why the steerer bung keeps slipping up. Using a deeper bung will not solve the problem if this is the case.
Great to know, I’ve put a new bung in with carbon paste and if that doesn’t work then yeah I want to change the compression ring. I think with internal wires the compression rings have a lot harder job to do. But I’m the same as you, set it up, tighten everything and it’s great, then after a ride it’s loose
Hey Max, I had the same issue with a Ribble Endurance and had to buy a deeper bung with carbon paste (I also had to lightly sand the inside of the steerer tube) and had to go above the torque setting by 1nm and problem was resolved. I think the short steerer bung wasn't getting enough purchase with the steerer to stay in place. Hope this helps you matey and great video as always buddy
Russ man, that sounds kinda similar, top cap seems to be pulling the bung up the fork. The sanding is a good touch and if after this wkend the new bung moves or doesn’t hold then I’ll try that. But at the moment- new bung, carbon paste. 🫡
@@thewattlife it’s also worth going slightly over the torque spec. You torque wrench may be out of calibration. I work in the auto industry and our technicians have there torque wrench’s calibrated every year and you’d be surprised how often there out
Haha 👀 just the two… oh and a low light pair. I’ve just recently shot a documentary with them so they are a friend of the channel. Should I do a giveaway?
Sounds like you need steerer tube to have a bigger gap from the compression bung (ie it’s slightly too long by 1 or 2mm) - not enough space to compress bearings fully - I’m not sure why you’d torque the compression bung - it should be turned until play is gone and not require much force at all.
Yeah I thought that perhaps there wasn’t enough space for the top cap to do its thing so I added a new spacer. You can tighten everything down and it’s all set but after a ride it shakes itself free and the play comes back. The bung I was using has a plastic cover and I don’t think it’s getting the purchase on the steerer it needs as it keeps climbing up the fork. Swapped it for a metal one with abrasions. I torque it to spec, because it wasn’t staying in place.
Hey dude- yeah, originally I was running a 5mm spacer and swapped it out to a 10mm which now means that there’s at least 7mm and most likely 10mm between the steerer and the top cap.
You want to keep an eye on the steerer if your riding with a loose headset you will soon damage/score the steerer. I had a canyon which took ages to get the headset right because of the stupid design. Went through 2 forks until canyon sent a better designed insert and new fork
@thewattlife I know the feeling. I was doing my one and only London to Brighton with a group of 15 and my chain snapped....i sent everybody on their way and fortunately a friend of a friend of a friend lived nearby and drove me to a station. I've now got a chain link in my bag but I think there's zero chance of me being able to do that by the road.
Agreed… But on “Every” Socialized Ride I’ve been on… It “Always” turns into a Hammer Fest at some point… Because there is “Always” that Guy/Guys 🤔😂💪🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴♀️🚴♂️
If the compression starts out okay and then slips gradually, it can't be the fault of the bung or top cap system. The top cap is only there to compress so that the pinch bolts on the stem can get tightened in the proper position, maintaining the compression on the steerer tube. Afterwards you could even remove the top cap entirely and it wouldn't make any difference at all. So I would suspect the more likely fix is to wipe the steerer tube with some isopropanol in the area the stem clamps, and maybe even add some carbon paste there.
@@thewattlife I had a similar headset issue on a different frame, and carbon paste inside the steerer and around the plug fixed it. Good luck from Chicago!
Drop the forks out the frame and check the head tube, it sounds like the compression issue is more likely the head tube isn’t level, or there is some residual paint or lacquer , causing an uneven surface. A light sanding should sort it with no need for additional torque on the bolts 🤞
I think sometimes is a space thing. 20 riders with helmets would need a whole another table to hold them. So sometimes it’s on, sometimes it’s off. Plus our stop was actually only about 15 mins so not too long
Yup I definitely thought that too. But I’ve taken the bike to Mallorca, Turkey and Spain. Each time I have to pack it away and to do that I take the bars off the fork. So I check the bung each time. And the bung is coming out of the fork which means the top cap is pulling down on the bung but the ‘play’ in the header is causing the bung to move up the fork. New bung seems to be working
Been to a shop- they simply tightened everything up and then after a ride it was loose again. Which is why I’ve now swapped the bung and carbon paste all over the fork
Answer to your Etiquette Question: If you find yourself 3-4 minutes ahead of someone on a no-drop ride then you’ve already messed up. Should really be able to stop immediately or very shortly after the incident.
If you do somehow find yourself ahead of someone then you go back to find them. End of. To go to the extreme, they could be alone and seriously injured not just punctured.
Another great watch and always love your music choices!
Thanks dude, try and add a bit of an edge to the vids.
I honestly can’t for for a proper adventure challenge to make a longer vid though. Bring on the Summer
Been binge watching you all week . I can’t wait for the spring . Let’s roll !
I think we are all looking forward to Spring.
I’m off racing this wkend so next weeks vid should be fun
Where is the racing ? My GF lives in wargrave so we may see you this summer 😊
Ah no way, yeah I’m the summer that ends up being pretty local. You could get to Tuesday night Fight Night from there
@@thewattlife too spicy for me !!!! Cycling 🚴♂️, but I may check out Abingdon and watch this summer .
Ah nice, I’ll be there for sure
Great content again love going into Kingston upon Thames from South Wales cycling participation is on another level.
Great to see you back Chris 👍
Another great vid, Max. You’re right that when a ride goes wrong, it goes wrong big time! I need to come up to London and try one of these rides.
cant wait for this "trendy" kit era to end
Think it’s a London thing. Don’t get that where I am
@ it very much is
It’s for the Covid babies as Nero show calls them 🤣
Max, I say help a Brother/Sister out during a puncture, you never know, they may stop to help you the next time round.
This is true- and I think we probably made the wrong call in the moment. 🫣
On a group ride, go back and help. Group stays together.
@@thewattlife, no no, you're not that guy, I personally can't help myself helping others.
@@foodbymark, True that!!!!!!
I am in the big smoke next week and off to the clubhouse for coffee after watching your vids :)
You won’t regret it. There’s a MAAP ride there on Feb 15th.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maap-x-bdw-happy-to-ride-here-london-tickets-1226556325989?aff=ebdsshcopyurl
I must try out the "Clunkers" Cafe in Dorking, Thats a new one on me. Cheers. Keep up the videos.
Hey Max great video, just booked my first IRL race of the year, its the same course as the Portmore Classic in Wool. Same organiser just a different sponsor its on the 23rd Feb.
Awesome Paul- what’s it called? I’d be keen to join that. Or can you send a link?
Wow 🎉🎉
Great video. Funny my previous T1550 1st gen had the same issue with the compression plug and I always would have excess play after 2 or so rides and would need to constantly tighten it up. I sold my T1550 and just built a SLC and on the two rides so far on it haven't had any issues with the headset so I am a little curious about how you sort out your SLC3
I've had similar issues with a headset coming loose. I got hold a Mt Zoom Ultalight headset expander - seems have better teeth to grip the inside on the steerer tube.
I like the kit. Looks better than PNS
👀 😂
No Christmas market in leatherhead?!
I can confirm it was cold and I had to turn on the heating in the gloves a couple of times! For the fork, did you check if it is the compression plug that is moving out of the steerer tube? Or it could be that the fork is cut too high and it is bottoming out and touches the top cap before enough compression is enabled. If you remove the top cap you should be able to see if the compression plug is still seated, if so I would look at the space between the top of the compression plug and the bottom of the top cap.
I’m glad your hands were warmer than mine.
Yes, and a few times it was the bung being pulled out of the fork by the top cap. But also the play in the front end is forcing the bung up.
I’ve made sure there’s enough of a gap for the top cap to fasten down properly, I even increased the size of the spacer just to make sure.
The original bung is plastic and not gripping the fork enough. This one seems to be better.
Love that we connect on a bike engenering level
I’d suggest the headset issue could be because your star nut isn’t far enough down the fork so your not getting the compression. I’ve had it before
Love the non judgemental rides
Your headset issue sounds like the head tube may not be level, usually because of residual paint or lacquer, so the bearings aren’t sat level, which means that you can’t get even compression. Try dropping the forks and a light sanding to level the head tube 🤞
Im giving the bung one last try, as it was pulled out again by the end of the race. I cleaned it, carbon pasted it and torqued it down hard
I would be interested to see the compression ring/bearings in your headset. I had the exact same rocking problem with a build, switched the bearings and compression ring to a Deda DCR set up and problem solved instantly.. Until that point I could tighten the top cap, stop the knocking, but as soon as you start riding again it would come back after a few miles or so. If the compression ring is trash no amount of tightening will take up the slack and that is why the steerer bung keeps slipping up. Using a deeper bung will not solve the problem if this is the case.
Great to know, I’ve put a new bung in with carbon paste and if that doesn’t work then yeah I want to change the compression ring. I think with internal wires the compression rings have a lot harder job to do. But I’m the same as you, set it up, tighten everything and it’s great, then after a ride it’s loose
Hey Max, I had the same issue with a Ribble Endurance and had to buy a deeper bung with carbon paste (I also had to lightly sand the inside of the steerer tube) and had to go above the torque setting by 1nm and problem was resolved. I think the short steerer bung wasn't getting enough purchase with the steerer to stay in place. Hope this helps you matey and great video as always buddy
Russ man, that sounds kinda similar, top cap seems to be pulling the bung up the fork. The sanding is a good touch and if after this wkend the new bung moves or doesn’t hold then I’ll try that. But at the moment- new bung, carbon paste. 🫡
@@thewattlife it’s also worth going slightly over the torque spec. You torque wrench may be out of calibration. I work in the auto industry and our technicians have there torque wrench’s calibrated every year and you’d be surprised how often there out
Fair point. A mechanic told me that basically you can over torque a bung/stem as they are all pushing on each other
Damn! How many pairs of Sungod Airas do you own? The last pair I saw were the gold lenses!
Haha 👀 just the two… oh and a low light pair.
I’ve just recently shot a documentary with them so they are a friend of the channel. Should I do a giveaway?
@thewattlife What colour is the better one for spring/summer?
The blue lenses are my favourite
Sounds like you need steerer tube to have a bigger gap from the compression bung (ie it’s slightly too long by 1 or 2mm) - not enough space to compress bearings fully - I’m not sure why you’d torque the compression bung - it should be turned until play is gone and not require much force at all.
Yeah I thought that perhaps there wasn’t enough space for the top cap to do its thing so I added a new spacer. You can tighten everything down and it’s all set but after a ride it shakes itself free and the play comes back.
The bung I was using has a plastic cover and I don’t think it’s getting the purchase on the steerer it needs as it keeps climbing up the fork. Swapped it for a metal one with abrasions. I torque it to spec, because it wasn’t staying in place.
Max - is the steerer cut to the right length ? Just a thought
Hey dude- yeah, originally I was running a 5mm spacer and swapped it out to a 10mm which now means that there’s at least 7mm and most likely 10mm between the steerer and the top cap.
@ - that could be the issue - put the 10mm back in try tightness then
You want to keep an eye on the steerer if your riding with a loose headset you will soon damage/score the steerer. I had a canyon which took ages to get the headset right because of the stupid design. Went through 2 forks until canyon sent a better designed insert and new fork
CHOO CHOO Lets go!
Do you reckon the dude with the puncture is cursing like Max on a Pas ride?
Lol probably. And quite rightly so, poor guy got ditched.
No, Krum was with him and he couldt plug the puncture so jumped the train back
@thewattlife
I know the feeling. I was doing my one and only London to Brighton with a group of 15 and my chain snapped....i sent everybody on their way and fortunately a friend of a friend of a friend lived nearby and drove me to a station. I've now got a chain link in my bag but I think there's zero chance of me being able to do that by the road.
You should 100% go back and at least offer to help on a social ride in my book
Agreed… But on “Every” Socialized Ride I’ve been on… It “Always” turns into a Hammer Fest at some point… Because there is “Always” that Guy/Guys 🤔😂💪🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴♀️🚴♂️
If the compression starts out okay and then slips gradually, it can't be the fault of the bung or top cap system.
The top cap is only there to compress so that the pinch bolts on the stem can get tightened in the proper position, maintaining the compression on the steerer tube. Afterwards you could even remove the top cap entirely and it wouldn't make any difference at all.
So I would suspect the more likely fix is to wipe the steerer tube with some isopropanol in the area the stem clamps, and maybe even add some carbon paste there.
As much as I like a white helmet, they are so common now that the coolness has dissipated. Back to black
🛑 Ouffff bold. Or is this a fake out to get everyone else on black and you stay on white?!? 👀
I've got a purple one... And I'm actually serious. Not cool but always raises a giggle.
Make sure you’ve cut your fork steerer down enough to insure its not just maxing out on the fork steerer.
Yeah this was my first worry- so I added in a different spacer and it still tightens down ok but after each ride it decompresses.
@@thewattlife I had a similar headset issue on a different frame, and carbon paste inside the steerer and around the plug fixed it. Good luck from Chicago!
Ensure
Cheers Carl, yup I’ve gone heavy with the carbon paste and a new bung
Drop the forks out the frame and check the head tube, it sounds like the compression issue is more likely the head tube isn’t level, or there is some residual paint or lacquer , causing an uneven surface. A light sanding should sort it with no need for additional torque on the bolts 🤞
It's a social ride. There's zero reason to leave people, drop them, or not circle back
Personally I can't imagine stopping at a cafe and not taking helmet off. Is it a trend thing these days to wear helmet at all times.
I think sometimes is a space thing. 20 riders with helmets would need a whole another table to hold them. So sometimes it’s on, sometimes it’s off.
Plus our stop was actually only about 15 mins so not too long
Sounds like you have cut the fork . And not in the right place. I'm not a mechanic but just think about that.
Yup I definitely thought that too. But I’ve taken the bike to Mallorca, Turkey and Spain. Each time I have to pack it away and to do that I take the bars off the fork. So I check the bung each time. And the bung is coming out of the fork which means the top cap is pulling down on the bung but the ‘play’ in the header is causing the bung to move up the fork. New bung seems to be working
This all black kit and white helmet thing is getting so very annoying and rather try hard. It’s like a uniform now.
Crit racer now. Cut the bung out slam it 😉. Did you call SYN W same as PAS W 🤣🤣
I’ve seen ppl cut the tops off the bung and drop it into steerer, not sure I have the expertise to do that
black kit head to toe, no lights, no mudguards. Thank f....lip I dont live anywhere near tosspot central.
😂😂😂😂
A mudguard salesman might want to chance his arm down by the river in a Saturday morning- you’ll either make nothing or sell everything!
Sack the ride off if you need mudguards. They look horrendous
Why ride with that issue,get it sorted properly by a shop before you 'eat your teeth'
Been to a shop- they simply tightened everything up and then after a ride it was loose again.
Which is why I’ve now swapped the bung and carbon paste all over the fork
@thewattlife something wrong there be careful
Get a Specialized carbon steerer bung. There’s no better 🤌🏻
Literally just ordered one!!! Someone sent it over within 5 mins of the vid going up 🫡