Exactly my example. I have two Bianchi Reparto Corse TSX/UL's. One I ordered through an LBS, another I bought from Circle Cycle in SF (Are they still around?) The one from Circle Cycle had been properly faced when I received it. The LBS one had not. I assembled both myself and unfortunately only noticed how bad the LBS one was when I noted the visible gaps between HS and headtube. The BB isn't too bad, but I really should puul the HS and face the headtube. I'm thinking of buying a facer. How difficult is it for a neophyte to face a painted head tube without screwing it up?
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Todd Kuzma <tullio@TheRamp.net> wrote:
on 9/10/04 10:52 AM, richardsachs@juno.com at richardsachs@juno.com wrote:
> i have no antidote for that, otoh, i don't
> believe the lack of machining issue is that
> widespread; you simply cannot proceed with
> various framebuilding tasks with do some
> others first. machining the ht and bb fall
> into that category.
It is VERY widespread. I'd say that most "production" frames and many supposed "limited production handcrafted 100% pure malt and hops" frames have head tubes that have never been faced or reamed.
For the several years we handled Bianchi Reparto Corse frames (roughly 1995-2000), nearly every single one had a head tube face that was *rounded* and lumpy. In fact, I tried to figure out how they could make it that uneven *if they tried*. These same frames were often horribly out of alignment, had uneven paint, crummy chrome, etc.
So, we face and ream whenever we install a headset unless it is clear that it had already been performed on that frame.
Todd Kuzma
Heron Bicycles
Tullio's Big Dog Cyclery
LaSalle, IL 815-223-1776
http://www.heronbicycles.com
http://www.tullios.com