Canyon Spectral - creaking headset

Dales Cannon

lightbrain about 4pm
Staff member
Here's the thing, there is more to a notch than simple material removal. If the edge of the notch is a sharp square edge then that is a crack initiator and there doesn't even need for there to be material loss for a fatigue crack to propagate.

Anyway the advice on here is mostly to help the affected owners. Those owners can choose whatever course of action they desire. For me there is no way I would be riding a bike for a notched steerer but it isn't my bike. No need for any sniping or calling for threads to be closed, users to be banned unless it is that @Tubbsy troublemaker stealing icecream again.
 

Flow-Rider

Burner
Here's the thing, there is more to a notch than simple material removal. If the edge of the notch is a sharp square edge then that is a crack initiator and there doesn't even need for there to be material loss for a fatigue crack to propagate.

Anyway the advice on here is mostly to help the affected owners. Those owners can choose whatever course of action they desire. For me there is no way I would be riding a bike for a notched steerer but it isn't my bike. No need for any sniping or calling for threads to be closed, users to be banned unless it is that @Tubbsy troublemaker stealing icecream again.
And it has also gone through the protected surface layer of the shot peening.
 
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Haylex

Likes Dirt
Alright, dropped my fork tonight expecting the worst....

To be honest, its a complete non issue for me, thank fk. No marks on the steerer, cleaned up the old grease off the bearings and they spin smoothly. Cleaned everything up, regreased and reassembled and we are good to go for another 6 months I guess.

My hypothesis is that the big factory compression ring requires a lot more torque than the plastic top cap and spacers can handle. Swap to metal items and everything is seemingly ok. Flawed design from canyon.

This was while reassembling but you get the idea





 

kiwiinmelb

Likes Dirt
does anyone have the one piece carbon cockpit that comes with the CF 9 ?

is that anyway related to the problem ?

Cheers
 

Haylex

Likes Dirt
does anyone have the one piece carbon cockpit that comes with the CF 9 ?

is that anyway related to the problem ?

Cheers
Yes same issue, uses the same plastic components under the bar/stem.

edit - so no, the issue is not related to the integrated bar and stem - they are fine.
 
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davee

Likes Bikes
Is the specific cane creek headset cover needed or can any other zs49 work?
Since the cane creek seems to be out of stock.
 

Haylex

Likes Dirt
Is the specific cane creek headset cover needed or can any other zs49 work?
Since the cane creek seems to be out of stock.
Not entirely sure - I would say it is possible but depends on the design. You need to disassemble the Cane Creek top cap somewhat, to remove their compression ring as its not required. Literally all you end up using is the flat metal top section with the text printed on it.
 

Korbzy

Likes Bikes
@Korbzy have you sent a pic of the steerer damage to the fork manufacturer & asked their opinion on canyon's advice that it's a nonissue?
Yea I had been in contact with them 4-5 times, through chat and email. I have sent them photos and videos on 2 occasions, both asking for help and some suggestions on how I can eliminate this. I was told multiple times that this is a new and unheard unheard of issue and I was told to go regrease the headset and check the correct torque.
 

yuley95

soft-arse Yuley is on the lifts again
Yea I had been in contact with them 4-5 times, through chat and email. I have sent them photos and videos on 2 occasions, both asking for help and some suggestions on how I can eliminate this. I was told multiple times that this is a new and unheard unheard of issue and I was told to go regrease the headset and check the correct torque.
I think @wornoutwords is asking if you contacted Fox (or is it a Rockshox?) to ask if they feel the gouge is a safety issue rather than just taking the word of Canyon.
 

hellmansam

Likes Bikes and Dirt
@Korbzy I would be very concerned re that groove in the steerer. It can be fixed by someone with the right gear (prolly NSD, Cyclinic or some other suspension specialist) to remove and press in a new steerer for less than the cost of a new FF helmet or some new teeth

One of the higher load bearing bits of a bike, that has potential for some very nasty consequences if it lets go. A coupla hundred bucks for a new steerer will seem cheap if you end up eating dirt. As far as warranty goes re the steerer, they will probably put blame on to you for continuing to ride while there was something wrong - despite your efforts to seek a fix.

This is a bit of a risk with direct sale bikes - the rare, tricky problems such as this should be easily dealt with for a punter who comes back to the shop with 'a clunking noise like something is loose' but when it's up to the customer to work it out or take it to a bike shop to get it looked at, complications can arise.
 
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