Re: Adjusted my headset - too tight?

PJay wrote:
Thanks,

The problem that I seem to have is that at the earliest point I can detect
no play in the lower race I can, when rocking the bike with the front brake
only, hear a clicking sound at the upper race. Tightening the preload a bit
more improves this.

The bearing cartridge is snuggly seated its cup and the compression ring
properly seated inside the cartridge and all this is presumably held in
place by the upper cover so I can't work out why there should be any
movement here at all. It's a steel frame and fork with a steel steerer so
fairly flexy so I suppose that there might be a small amount of movement
between the upper cup and cover.

Should I preload to remove this ticking sound or is the lower race the only
concern? I tend to worry about things being too loose.

A steel frame, fork, and steerer is not really "flexy", it's just that
rocking the bike back and forth with the brake applied is not the most
accurate way to do it. Inflate the front tire to riding pressure, and
bounce the front wheel on your basement or garage floor. If you hear a
rattle or knocking sound in any part of the the headset, it is too
loose. Tighten preload until this sound dissapears and the front end
feels lively yet solid when you bounce it.

.