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How to make MTB steering bearings and clamps quiet

Robert Kühnen

 · 02.09.2019

How to make MTB steering bearings and clamps quietPhoto: Robert Kühnen
How to make MTB steering bearings and clamps quiet
A very common source of noise is the clamping of the handlebars. With anti-slip carbon mounting paste, carbon handlebars in particular can be mounted without cracking.

HANDLEBARS, SEATPOST AND STEERING BEARINGS

Observe the tightening torques on the stem. Use a torque spanner! Lightweight carbon parts are very sensitive to excessive clamping forces (40 % less torque for secure clamping with carbon assembly paste).

1 Apply a thin layer of carbon assembly paste to the carbon seat post. It should slide smoothly into the cleaned, grease-free seat tube. Treat the clamp and its screw - thread and head - with assembly grease. Prepared in this way, a few Newton metres are often enough to clamp the seat post securely. Observe the manufacturer's torque specification as the upper limit. For aluminium seat posts, assembly grease can also be used as an option, in which case higher clamping forces are required.Photo: Robert Kühnen 1 Apply a thin layer of carbon assembly paste to the carbon seat post. It should slide smoothly into the cleaned, grease-free seat tube. Treat the clamp and its screw - thread and head - with assembly grease. Prepared in this way, a few Newton metres are often enough to clamp the seat post securely. Observe the manufacturer's torque specification as the upper limit. For aluminium seat posts, assembly grease can also be used as an option, in which case higher clamping forces are required. Remove 2 stem covers. Apply a thin layer of carbon assembly paste to the handlebars. Fit cover, tighten screws lubricated with assembly grease crosswise. Observe the torques. Ensure that the clamping slot is even all round.Photo: Robert Kühnen Remove 2 stem covers. Apply a thin layer of carbon assembly paste to the handlebars. Fit cover, tighten screws lubricated with assembly grease crosswise. Observe the torques. Ensure that the clamping slot is even all round. 3 Check the screw connection of the stem on the steerer tube. First check whether the headset bearing has play: Pull the front brake, rock the bike forwards and backwards. If there is play, open the screw connection of the stem (as shown in the picture), tighten the cover screw, then tighten the stem again.Photo: Robert Kühnen 3 Check the screw connection of the stem on the steerer tube. First check whether the headset bearing has play: Pull the front brake, rock the bike forwards and backwards. If there is play, open the screw connection of the stem (as shown in the picture), tighten the cover screw, then tighten the stem again.
4 With integrated bearings, the bearing units are sometimes placed directly in the frame. Regardless of the design, always treat the contact area with assembly grease. Don't worry: carbon does NOT react with mineral oil products - it neither dissolves nor swells.Photo: Robert Kühnen 4 With integrated bearings, the bearing units are sometimes placed directly in the frame. Regardless of the design, always treat the contact area with assembly grease. Don't worry: carbon does NOT react with mineral oil products - it neither dissolves nor swells. Saddles tend to creak. If you spray penetrating oil or silicone oil on the saddle frame/saddle connection, this will often help. If this does not help: Dismantle and clean the saddle clamp. Tighten the bolts with assembly grease.Photo: Robert Kühnen Saddles tend to creak. If you spray penetrating oil or silicone oil on the saddle frame/saddle connection, this will often help. If this does not help: Dismantle and clean the saddle clamp. Tighten the bolts with assembly grease.


You can find this article in BIKE 12/2018. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:


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