Stem Question/Problem with New Rook

[mlandau]

My Rook's stem does not move freely. I've loosened the 5mm top bolt, but it does not seem to move freely until it loses control of the steering. I think I have the parts in correctly, but when I received it new, the fork and it's stem parts had gotten a little shook up in shipping. I am using to 5 mm washers. I would appreciate any suggestions before I take it to my LBS (which is a pain to get to because I have a sedan).

 

[Nova Haibike]

The bike uses a threadless stem; the top bolt is for adjusting the steering bearings. When you say the stem does not move freely, what exactly do you mean? Are you trying to raise the stem? That is accomplished with the bolt on the side of the stem.

 

[Nova Haibike]

Watch the Assembly Video. The stem adjustment starts at the 8:00 mark, and also at 10:15.

 

[rich c]

Is there grease in the bearings?

 

[mlandau]

The bike uses a threadless stem; the top bolt is for adjusting the steering bearings. When you say the stem does not move freely, what exactly do you mean? Are you trying to raise the stem? That is accomplished with the bolt on the side of the stem.

I mean, if you raise the front wheel and move it in one direction, it stays there. If you try to ride the bike, you can feel tightness in making turns.

 

[mlandau]

Is there grease in the bearings?

That's a good question. It came new and I don't know too much. Where/how would I grease the bearings?

Watch the Assembly Video. The stem adjustment starts at the 8:00 mark, and also at 10:15.

 

[mlandau]

That's a good question. It came new and I don't know too much. Where/how would I grease the bearings?

Watch the Assembly Video. The stem adjustment starts at the 8:00 mark, and also at 10:15.

I've watched the assembly video and many other videos on YouTube pertaining to the adjustments. I guess I am uncertain that the related parts for the shaft at the top of the fork are correct. Some of those parts were loose in the box (unlike in the video), and some were missing. Gordon at Surface 604 has try to help me through this, sending a couple of parts and some diagrams. I think I have the parts in correctly. I have tried using two or three 5mm spacers. This may give you a hint at the problem - when I use no spacers and leave the open gap, the steering works fine (has no drag). With spacers, the steering drags.

 

[Nova Haibike]

I mean, if you raise the front wheel and move it in one direction, it stays there. If you try to ride the bike, you can feel tightness in making turns.

This would indicate that either the headset is adjusted too tightly, or that one of the bearings or the top adjusting race is installed improperly (upside down). See the Park Tool Headset Service article; skip to step 7, Headset Assembly.

 

[mlandau]

To All of You:
Thank you for all the help. I fiddled around based on everyone's recommendations and everything is fine now. I think I needed to tighten the 4mm stem bolts before I tightened the 5mm bolt amongst other things.
Mark Landau