Headset bearing fit

[Arron M]

Hi all,
Since my Trek Rail was new it’s always needed a bit more tension than the spec’d amount to keep it from having a slack knocking noise or a creak. Which has lead to premature bearing failure, I have replaced the bearings like for like and noticed that the lower bearing fit is quite loose.

Do I have the wrong bearing?
Has my bike been machined out of tolerance?
Or is this normal? Surely not as the only thing locating the bearing is the tension pulling the taper in.

Please see YouTube video below

 

[Arron M]

 

[Arron M]

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[RustyIron]

Surely not as the only thing locating the bearing is the tension pulling the taper in.

Yes, they're relying on the preload to hold everything in place.
And quit calling me Shirley.


After tiring of the noise made by my Cane Creak headset, I bought a Chris King. It's better, but not perfect. It still makes noise when I brake hard onto the nose, or when I hit head an obstacle head-on to get over it. My only recommendation is to slop it up with grease before assembly. I think we're in agreement that it's a lame design.