The Headset - Canyon Mountain bike Manual

82 HEADSET

THE HEADSET

The headset connects fork, stem, handlebars and
front wheel to the frame, but allows them to turn
freely as a unit. It must afford virtually no resistance
to turning, if your Canyon is to go straight, stabiliz-
ing itself as it runs. Shocks caused by uneven road
surfaces subject the headset to considerable stress.
It may therefore happen to become loose and malad-
justed.
CHECkING AND READjUSTING
Check the headset for play by placing your fingers
around the upper head cup.
Bring your weight to bear on the saddle, pull the
front brakes with your other hand and push your
Canyon firmly back and forth with the wheel re-
maining on the ground.
If there is play in the bearing, the upper head cap
will move noticeably relative to the lower cup.
Another way to check the headset is to lift the front
wheel a little off the ground and then let it drop. If
there is play in the bearing, you will hear a rattling
noise in this area.
To check the bearing for ease of running, lift the
frame until the front wheel no longer touches the
ground. Move the handlebars from the left to the
right. The front wheel should turn very easily from
far left to far right without catching anywhere. A
light tap on the handlebars should be enough to
turn the wheel to the side.
Riding the bike with a loose headset in-
creases the stress on fork and bearing.
This may damage the bearing or lead to a fork
break with serious consequences!
Check the headset for play by placing your fingers around the upper
head cup and by moving your Canyon back and forth with actuated
brake lever
To check the bearing for ease of running, lift the front wheel and
move it
Adjusting the headset requires a certain
!
amount of experience and should, there-
fore, be left to a skilled mechanic. If you want to
try it by yourself, be sure to carefully read the op-
erating instructions of the headset manufacturer
beforehand!
Check the secure seat of the stem after
having adjusted the bearings, by holding
the front wheel between your knees and trying to
twist the handlebars relative to the front wheel.
Otherwise, a loose stem can throw you off your
bicycle.
THREADLESS HEADSET: AHEADSET ®
The special feature of this system is that the stem
is not encased by, but rather clamped onto the fork
tube, which in this case is threadless. The stem is an
important part of the headset bearings. Its clamping
force secures the bearing in its set position.
Release the clamping bolts located on the sides or
rear side of the stem.
Gently tighten a little the countersunk adjusting
bolt on the top by using an Allen key.
Realign the stem with the frame so that the handle-
bars are not slanted when the wheel points straight
ahead.
Retighten the clamping bolts located on the side of
the stem by using an Allen key. Use a torque wrench
and never exceed the maximum tightening torque!
You will find the prescribed values in chapter "Rec-
ommended tightening torques", directly on the com-
ponents and/or in the manuals of the component
manufacturers.
Check the headset for play, as described on the pic-
ture on the right. Be sure not to adjust the bearing
too tight.
To do the check stand in front of your Canyon and
take the front wheel between your knees. Take hold
of the handlebars and try to turn them relative to the
front wheel. If you are able to turn the handlebars,
retighten a little the clamping bolt(s) of the stem.
Check the secure seat of the stem after
you have adjusted the bearing! A loose
stem may throw you off your bike!
HEADSET 83
Adjust the bearing play by means of the countersunk adjusting bolt
at the top after releasing the clamping bolts on the side
Retighten the clamping bolts located on the side of the stem by using
an Allen key
Try twisting the handlebars relative to the front wheel
Do not tighten this bolt, as it is intended for
!
adjusting the play!
Bear in mind that by overtightening the
bolts the stem can crush the steerer tube.