Levo Gen 3 22 Levo - Loose Headset

[Twindaddy]

I have a 22 Gen 3 Levo and for the past few months have been noticing the headset getting loose after a rough descent. I can tighten it but a couple runs later it starts to feel like crap again. My local mech (not where I bought the bike) says its the cup being a bit too small, causing a bit of play.

I think this may be a problem with the stumpie evo as well. Is this a common problem in the levo? Is there a fix……perhaps swapping for a different headset?

 

[ebikerider]

Are you sure your top cap above the stem isn't bottoming out on the fork steerer tube? Could just need a 5mm spacer to enable you to reach the correct torque.

 

[Twindaddy]

Are you sure your top cap above the stem isn't bottoming out on the fork steerer tube? Could just need a 5mm spacer to enable you to reach the correct torque.

Unfortunately thats not it, can reach the correct torque just fine. For whats its worth I keep it in the neutral angle setting, havent tried the 63.5 or 65,5 yet.

 

[ebikerider]

Unfortunately thats not it, can reach the correct torque just fine. For whats its worth I keep it in the neutral angle setting, havent tried the 63.5 or 65,5 yet.

I realise you can tighten the star nut to the correct torque but have you actually checked to see if it is bottoming out on the steerer by removing the top cap? I would add a 5mm spacer under the top cap to remove this possibility first.

The other cups will not make difference if the fixing mechanism isn't correct and the bottoming out of the top cap on the steerer is the most common explanation for it loosening after a ride (apart from actually not tightening the bolts).

I have seen the steerer pull thru the CSU on a fork but that's quite rare but exhibits the same symptoms until it fully seats.

 

[Twindaddy]

I realise you can tighten the star nut to the correct torque but have you actually checked to see if it is bottoming out on the steerer by removing the top cap? I would add a 5mm spacer under the top cap to remove this possibility first.

The other cups will not make difference if the fixing mechanism isn't correct and the bottoming out of the top cap on the steerer is the most common explanation for it loosening after a ride (apart from actually not tightening the bolts).

I have seen the steerer pull thru the CSU on a fork but that's quite rare but exhibits the same symptoms until it fully seats.

Hmm…perhaps I need to take another look. Will certainly do so tonight. Appreciate the tip.

 

[FirstAscent]

You can do what I did and install a Chris King

You would lose the angle adjustment though if you care about that.

With that being said, the stock headset should be just fine as well. Def check what @ebikerider said first, especially since you could check, fix if needed, and retorque it faster than reading this post

Just remember these don’t require a lot of torque, it’s only about 3Nm

 

[James_C]

Check your fork big washer thing with the split in it. Mine was worn. Replaced with a hope one with a better seal.

this has improved, (but not completely cured) the issue.

 

[Twindaddy]

You can do what I did and install a Chris King

You would lose the angle adjustment though if you care about that.

With that being said, the stock headset should be just fine as well. Def check what @ebikerider said first, especially since you could check, fix if needed, and retorque it faster than reading this post

Just remember these don’t require a lot of torque, it’s only about 3Nm

Thanks for the input, looks like you had some issues with the stock headset before switching to the Chris King? I did add a spacer last night. Not enough room for a 5mm but enough to where the top cap isnt hitting the steerer tube. I wont have a chance to ride until this weekend so will have to see if that was the culprit.

Do you mind showing me which chris king headset you went with in case the spacer does not work? Have not bought a headset before so want to ensure Im getting the right one.

 

[Ou812]

Thanks for the input, looks like you had some issues with the stock headset before switching to the Chris King? I did add a spacer last night. Not enough room for a 5mm but enough to where the top cap isnt hitting the steerer tube. I wont have a chance to ride until this weekend so will have to see if that was the culprit.

Do you mind showing me which chris king headset you went with in case the spacer does not work? Have not bought a headset before so want to ensure Im getting the right one.

It’s the dropset 5 from Chris King if you go that route.

 

[Mikerb]

My Levo was a my19 model so dont know if the top cap is the same on your bike as mine was...........but I found it was too flexible/flimsy, being only a single concave shape. I changed it for a Nukeproof top cap......cheap and simple fix.

 

[Twindaddy]

My Levo was a my19 model so dont know if the top cap is the same on your bike as mine was...........but I found it was too flexible/flimsy, being only a single concave shape. I changed it for a Nukeproof top cap......cheap and simple fix.

The top cap on my 22 does seem cheap. I swapped it for the top cap from my ripmo last night when I added the spacer. Cant wait to go for a ride to see if the fix was as simple as a spacer. Hoping it is.

 

[FirstAscent]

Thanks for the input, looks like you had some issues with the stock headset before switching to the Chris King? I did add a spacer last night. Not enough room for a 5mm but enough to where the top cap isnt hitting the steerer tube. I wont have a chance to ride until this weekend so will have to see if that was the culprit.

Do you mind showing me which chris king headset you went with in case the spacer does not work? Have not bought a headset before so want to ensure Im getting the right one.

Sorry been slammed today. But yes @Ou812 is correct, you would want the Dropset 5.

I actually swapped mine for the CK because I’m a fan of their stuff. It’s basically bomb proof and will outlast your bike. I had no issues with the stock set but to be fair I swapped it out after only 2 weeks so not enough time to tell one way or another.

I don’t think you mentioned but do you actually have a top cap with a bolt on top? Basically the normal style?
Or do you have the SWAT tool insert where you actually tighten the bolt from the bottom of the fork steerer tube?

 

[rydeezie]

Wished the CK Dropset 5 would work withe the Levo at slack setting…

Since no, i went with Wolftooth. I’ll see how it goes

 

[Ou812]

Wished the CK Dropset 5 would work withe the Levo at slack setting…

Since no, i went with Wolftooth. I’ll see how it goes

View attachment 114459

Does this one allow you to still change the head angles? I want to upgrade from stock but still want to be able to play with the angles for when I swap to the 170mm front end.

 

[rydeezie]

Does this one allow you to still change the head angles? I want to upgrade from stock but still want to be able to play with the angles for when I swap to the 170mm front end.

Yes

 

[Binhill1]

Mine must have been loose a lot on the Expert I got wear in it , carbon so got a new frame on warranty . Pay a bit more attention now .

 

[Polo1602]

I have a alloy Levo with a minimal loose headset too. It’s loose with the neutral and the -1/+1 cup. I swapped the entire headset (bearings, spacer, crownrace , etc) but it’s still minimal loose under (heavy) load. It comes definitely from the upper cup. The upper cup is minimal slipping in the cup seat/head tube (under load). Now i bought the head cup kit (S212500015) and i hope this will solve the issue. Maybe the shape of my current cups are not perfect/good for the cup seat in the headtube. When the headset is still loose with the new cups (will try neutral), I’ll talk to specialized.

 

[Twindaddy]

I have a alloy Levo with a minimal loose headset too. It’s loose with the neutral and the -1/+1 cup. I swapped the entire headset (bearings, spacer, crownrace , etc) but it’s still minimal loose under (heavy) load. It comes definitely from the upper cup. The upper cup is minimal slipping in the cup seat/head tube (under load). Now i bought the head cup kit (S212500015) and i hope this will solve the issue. Maybe the shape of my current cups are not perfect/good for the cup seat in the headtube. When the headset is still loose with the new cups (will try neutral), I’ll talk to specialized.

Mine is an alloy as well. I did add a spacer under the top cap as suggested by ebikerider above and it seems to have helped, quite a bit. Thanks ebikerider for the tip!

 

[Polo1602]

Mine is an alloy as well. I did add a spacer under the top cap as suggested by ebikerider above and it seems to have helped, quite a bit. Thanks ebikerider for the tip!

That‘s not in my case. I have enough preload.

 

[Twindaddy]

Thats about what I had before and I added a bit more and it made a difference.

 

[FirstAscent]

That‘s not in my case. I have enough preload.

View attachment 114497

That looks like plenty. Anytime I’ve cut steerer tubes down on new forks I only cut 3mm lower than the highest spacer.

 

[Polo1602]

I have a alloy Levo with a minimal loose headset too. It’s loose with the neutral and the -1/+1 cup. I swapped the entire headset (bearings, spacer, crownrace , etc) but it’s still minimal loose under (heavy) load. It comes definitely from the upper cup. The upper cup is minimal slipping in the cup seat/head tube (under load). Now i bought the head cup kit (S212500015) and i hope this will solve the issue. Maybe the shape of my current cups are not perfect/good for the cup seat in the headtube. When the headset is still loose with the new cups (will try neutral), I’ll talk to specialized.

Got the new neutral headset cup installed and everthing is fine. No play at all. When i checked the neutral headset cup which came with the bike, there were only three tiny spots where the headset cup seated/had contact in/with the seat in the headtube. I think they where wrong machined from factory...

 

[iamanej]

Wished the CK Dropset 5 would work withe the Levo at slack setting…

Since no, i went with Wolftooth. I’ll see how it goes

View attachment 114459

I presume this would also work with KSL? What parts did you buy?

 

[rydeezie]

I presume this would also work with KSL? What parts did you buy?

Supposed to work on specialized with adjustable headtube angle

 

[rydeezie]

I presume this would also work with KSL? What parts did you buy?

Got the spacers too

 

[iamanej]

Got the spacers too

View attachment 119409


View attachment 119410

How do you find this upgrade - is it more "firm"?

 

[rydeezie]

How do you find this upgrade - is it more "firm"?

performs like any good headset i guess. Didn’t like the look of the stock one and didn’t like the fact i had to re-torque everything

i also don’t like the stock crown race. The wolftooth lower bearing come with a crown race that has a dust/water seal. I wash my bike often so good to have the seal

my kenevo has a cane creek headset, levo sl wolftooth and levo has the stock headset with cane creek crown race.

 

[James_C]

Check your fork big washer thing with the split in it. Mine was worn. Replaced with a hope one with a better seal.

this has improved, (but not completely cured) the issue.

Continuing this, Berkshire cycles looked at this for me. They recommended this

Head Doctor - Head Doctor star nut replacement which looks as if it will now never move.

This was fitted but I havent ridden enough to know if its fixed it yet.

 

[Deimos]

i also had problems with the headset coming loose and start making Noise almost After every Ride.

changed the Carbon Spaces to alloy and since then its quiet and stays Play free.

 

[iamanej]

i also had problems with the headset coming loose and start making Noise almost After every Ride.

changed the Carbon Spaces to alloy and since then its quiet and stays Play free.

maybe a link?