Hi everyone,
I recently picked up a Specialized Allez Track frame from Facebook Marketplace, but the previous owner had lost the dust cap for the headset. I’ve already tried buying two replacement dust caps, but neither of them fit properly.
Whenever I install a dust cap, the bearing preload becomes so stiff that the headset barely turns, even though I’ve followed the manufacturer’s torque spec (around 2Nm). Interestingly, when I run the bike without a dust cap, the preload feels fine, and the fork turns smoothly.
Has anyone else encountered this issue with the Allez Track? If so, how did you resolve it? Is there a specific dust cap that works for this frame, or is it okay to keep riding without one?
Looking forward to any advice or insights. Thanks in advance!
by iElmerPH
5 Comments
Could you reach out to the frame company if this fails?
I assume that both dust caps have too big of a rise to them on the bottom side, so your preload doesn’t go into your compression ring but actually your frame and thus the dust seal couldn’t turn. Would you mind adding a pic of the bottom sides of the dust seals ?
So it might not be your issue since we don’t have every angle but. I a post that might help. Looking into your pictures it seems your missing something and that’s why it locks up the steering. I believe in the post it’s in picture four, the piece that is at the top of the picture
https://www.reddit.com/r/bikewrench/s/qo1XEkfzKH
two links to a full OEM headset, it’s a [zero stack style ](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/headset-standards)headset so you need a dust cover thats compatible, the ones you have are for an external or integrated style and they have a larger outer lip that contacts the frame. You could try to source the og tange seiki one or just find a zero stack one that works. Try going into a bike shop and asking if you could try out any spares they have to see if they work before you buy one.
[https://www.ciclisport.com/components/finishing-kit/specialized-allez-sprint-rim-and-track-zero-stack-headset__34382](https://www.ciclisport.com/components/finishing-kit/specialized-allez-sprint-rim-and-track-zero-stack-headset__34382)
[https://steedcycles.com/products/specialized-allez-sprint-rim-track-headset-all-sizes-lower-bearings](https://steedcycles.com/products/specialized-allez-sprint-rim-track-headset-all-sizes-lower-bearings)
I’d look for a bike store that carries Specialized, they can most likely order one for you if they don’t already have some on hand.