OEM Headset Failure - what happened and how it was fixed.

[@scottjordan3946]

I had this problem as well as a motor failure on this bike at 83 miles. I contacted YT and started a warranty claim for both. I live by the San Clemente Mill and turned it in. They swapped the motor with a new one and changed the headset with a new Cane Creek Hellbender 70. So maybe your video and multiple complaints got them to change headsets. Thank you for your videos.

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

@@scottjordan3946 Great to hear, thanks for the feedback. YT has always impressed me as wanting to do the right thing.

[@awesomeadawson]

@scottjordan3946 Thanks for replying here with the update on YT fixing your headset. I just reported my headset issue to them and I'm hopeful they'll take care of me as well. Were they reluctant to offer up fixing your headset or did they seem well aware of the issue? Also, how has your bike held up after the fix? Any lasting issues or is it resolved. Thanks!

[@tomcarney654]

Good information I have the same problem with my canyon spectral on 2023 . I took my headset apart the best I could and cleaned regreased. The noise did go away but then it came back about a month or two later. I will take bike to my local bike shop and have the headset replaced. I talked to them about that already. Keep up the good video's

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

Thanks, I’m hearing creaking noises now from the canyon headset. I will lube it but it won’t take much for me to want to make the switch.

[@tomcarney654]

Yeah iam just worried about the cable going through my head . I still want headset lock for that ,not a fan of cable going through headset .

[@neildsouza6101]

Did YT cover the costs for replacement? How did you go about it? I just heard back from YT and they want me to take it to a shop and have it checked for a manuf. defect before they get involved.

[@nvr2old700]

Glad you got it figured out and more importantly fixed. BTW I picked up my core 4 last week and rode it at snow summit bike park. Love it so far except for the ding I put in the lower frame by the motor which was rider error. Looking forward to your Garmin Edge Explore 2 review as well.

[@jeffgood1580]

Great video. I have the same prob. I will say I have zero regrets buying the decoy core 4 and would buy it again.

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

I feel the same!

[@jeffgood1580]

@@roadlesstraveledtruckeegood to know especially since you have other higher end e-bikes. I’ve seen people complain about this….but my decoy was less than half the price of my stumpy Evo so replacing the headset is nbd imo

[@jeffgood1580]

@@roadlesstraveledtruckeehey do you have any idea why this only seems to be an issue with the ohlins builds?

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

Sorry to hear about the ding but it will happen eventually, I have mine too. My next video will be high energy trail vid then I’ll get to the explore. Thanks again for following!

[@awesomeadawson]

@roadlesstraveledtruckee First off, thank you for posting these awesome videos! I am a recent YT Decoy MX core 4 owner and have really enjoyed your tutorials and how to's. Most importantly, videos like this one that help us owners expose weak links in the bike and provide solutions. I have just over 100 miles on mine since July and have begun to hear the headset creaking/clunking... as well as seeing a concerning amount of play in the headset. I messaged YT this morning. We'll see how they respond... I'll be sure to reply back in here if I have a resolution. Thanks again and keep those videos coming!

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

Hi Dawson, thanks for both your comments and the encouragement! YT should at least offer to pay you for the labor to replace the headset and they are much more aware of the issue now that I've worked the problem with them. I've even been told by one subscriber that they are offering a replacement brand (Cane Creek?) but I cannot confirm this. Andreas, at YT Mill, is in charge of warrantee issues and is the one who helped me. Good luck. The new headset is working flawlessly and I do not miss the lock block at all (I actually like the extra rotation) though I have the size large so there is no real frame interference. Let me know what they do to resolve this for you. It would be nice to know if they are resolving this for people more completely now.

[@awesomeadawson]

@@roadlesstraveledtruckeeok I'm happy to report a successful warrantee claim. Worked with Andreas at YT and was sent a new Cane Creek headset, as well as $70 towards installation (if I choose to have a shop install) process was quick and straightforward, they just needed me to capture the noise on video and send it in. Thanks again for your efforts here.

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

@@awesomeadawson​​⁠great to hear, thanks for letting me know!

[@TRCAdventures]

Nice job! Great information

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

Thank you!

[@kevinseprish7348]

My spectral on creeks like crazy in the headset, however, it may be a moot point at this point in time, but still curious

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

I'm starting to get the same sound, thanks for the reminder. I think, in this case, it just needs the routine grease maintenance service we should all do at least once a year on these headsets.

[@craiglist9404]

Great video Patrick! I cannot believe that YT ships bikes with this fault. Glad customer service was good….but looks like the headset has a fault and they should’ve QA’d it.

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

I agree!

[@nd4spdbh]

Love my YT Decoy MX, your video on the rear pivot creak helped me big time. I pulled my forks off the other day to go through and grease everything, I think some of the creaking issues of the stock headset can be attributed to the plastic/rubber compression ring, if you look at Arcos's website for YT products the new Decoy SN specs an ALUMINUM compression ring vs the plastic one. The plastic one might not be able to keep a consistent clamping pressure which would allow the self centering lower to move around like you mention. Unfortunately YT wont sell that part individually and from Acros overseas its ends up being like 60$ after shipping for just a little ring... may as well just buy a new name brand top headset bearing at that point. I am working to see if a cane creek aluminum compression ring will fit and work with the profile of the stock acros headset, its in the mail right now on the way to me as I would like to keep the lock block.

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

@@nd4spdbh Thanks for the comment and good point on that upper compression ring - does not seem robust. Check with YT. Others have reported they are now providing a new Cane Creek Headset and $70 to pay someone to install it. Not sure if that unit has the lock block. Note: I’ve come to like the absence of the lock block. The cables seem to keep the front end from rotating too far and it helps moving the bike around in tight places.

[@nd4spdbh]

@@roadlesstraveledtruckee Yeah I could go either way, Coming from a dirtbike background I like the limited steering as you can stop and rest and you know that its going to stop rotating at a certain point. Ill reach out to YT to see what they have to say. I wouldnt mind just replacing the top headset bearing with a different one to see if that sorts things.

[@youling1997]

Crazy that acros hasn’t gone out of business yet.

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

My first experience was not a good one as you can tell.

[@MarioMueller_xenji]

I have wheel sets, hubs, headsets, and bottom brackets from across and they run more than well for thousands of kilometers. I totally see that your experience is really a bad one. I’ve mentioned them in another comment. Maybe they see it and have a comment to share about it.

[@bobbywhoops]

Thanks for answering , if you ever come to france for any reason i show you french alps

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

That would be awesome!

[@MarioMueller_xenji]

@acroscomponents might be interested in that kind of issue

[@bobbywhoops]

Hi thanks for sharing your YT decoy experiences can you show us your motor maping please ( with the latest july 801 up date version please) ; so many combos i m lost thanks

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

Great idea, I’ll put that on my list. I asked the shop to flash the update when it was in for the headset but I don’t think they did it. I will explore this, thank you.

[@ryansnider]

I just found about about the knock lock headset on the Decoy after placing an order for a medium. I have the order on hold currently but if the medium decoy can’t be laid flat in a trunk, I have no way of getting it to the trails so it looks like I’m going to be cancelling my order. Damnit. :(

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

I’m happy with the Chris King headset I’m now using without the restricting headset. I don’t think it’s a problem because the frame has a rubber pad where the fork contacts it.

[@bobbywhoops]

Hi Patrick question , is your main start button lights when your on charging process or when you turn the bike on ? Mine doesnt either ways, are you happy with the 720 watts ? I have also a exc10 husqvarna 625 watts both have the same kilometers/ miles range ! i m not happy , ep801 is an energy eater compare to bosch

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

The computer does not light up while charging if that is the question, only the light on the charger. I’m happy with the 720 only because if I want to go for a really long ride I have the Canyon with 900 Whr battery. You are correct, the 801 uses more battery than for instance my EP8 but that is because it’s putting out 20% more power and it comes on quicker and stays on longer. I could always define it but that is hard for me to do mentally when I know it’s there. I solve that sometimes by starting in a lower mode for the early part of the ride so I don’t miss the extra power…

[@indigowolf288]

Hi Patrick, this is absolutely golden info, especially as I am waiting on delivery for my Decoy 4 (in Size L, same as yours). It seems you have uncovered a major design flaw. The headset as you know is a component that takes a real pounding and needs to be in perfect alignment so as not to cause further damage. Is the 'lock block' removable do you know and would that mitigate the problem? In any case I'd be delighted if you could link the Chris King replacement you got or the part numbers. BTW really professional video, you've put alot of effort into the production, way to go ... Please keep the content coming, all the best, Rob.

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

Thank you so much for the compliment and I’m so glad you found the video helpful. Yes, I’ll put a link in the comments on the Chris King part number if I can find it (shop ordered it), but it is the Inset 2 I believe and sits slightly out of the head tube vs the drop set that sits fully inside the frame. This was the spec YT gave me: ZS44 28.6mm (OD 54)-Upper ZS56 40.0mm-Lower

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

...also, I don't think removing the lock block would be a good idea (I suspect it snaps in) as it would allow the race to move even more relative to the bearing.

[@indigowolf288]

@@roadlesstraveledtruckee Thanks Patrick, all this info is good to know, much appreciated!

[@mattnann4365]

I had the exact problem along with another decoy owner in my area. Both of us replaced our headsets with the wolf Gogh component extender headset which guarantees the fork will not hit the downtime even in the smaller sizes. I haven’t had any problems since it’s been replaced.

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

Thanks for sharing. Great addition to this thread. I’ll pass that on to anyone who asks me directly about a solution for sm/md

[@jeffgood1580]

Wolf tooth?

[@iliketomountainbik]

great video! I have the same bike (core 4) - dont seem to have that creaking issue yet but another one. The knock block only on the right side no longer stops the bars. I'm not sure when exactly this started but I'm thinking it was after a fall where the bike slid out under me and bars got caught high side on a berm. I remember talking to a guy at the mill when I bought the bike, I asked if the knock block could be taken out he said it would void warranty. Do you think this would be a case where warranty is now voided cause of the crash or will YT send out a new acros headset free of charge? Please let me know how your experiences were with shipping etc as I no longer live near a mill anymore. Thanks and happy riding!

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

I think they should send you a new headset given it is a safety issue. Its whole purpose is to prevent the fork from spinning in event of crash. They may also pay to have an installer replace it. Give them a call and ask, they will ask for you to send photos etc but then should send it right out. Interesting to hear that happened as that is what the block is suppose to prevent.

[@paulharrison9570]

What garmin mount is that on the YT?

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

“Cestbon” on Amazon. Pretty solid.

[@Ricks-Rides]

Hey Patrick, thanks for this info and the quality video! I’ve been chasing a noise on my headset on the same Decoy. I hear the clicking popping noise especially when unloading my weight (like when pulling up on jumps or coming out of a berm) or after riding some trail I’ll tap the front brake and it pops. Was that the same for you? The noise sounds the same as when you demonstrated it in the video. I had my local shop put a whole new headset (Cane Creek) and the noise was gone (thought I was in the clear) but then it came back after about an hour of riding. Took it back to the shop and they said everything was snug and looked great. So now I need to try a third headset it looks like??

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

oh man that is frustrating. You are probably right that the noise is still coming from the headset. Too bad because Cane Creek makes good stuff. One thing I did differently, and unintentionally, was installed a slightly different design headset (I did not give the full spec to the shop). It's not fully inset in the headtube. Chris King does make a fully integrated type but they even subtly suggest this is a challenge for them. The Inset 2 is what I used and I've added it to the description. There are other rattles that need to be addressed on the bike but none sounded as "structural" as this one. Good luck and let me know what you learn.

[@Ricks-Rides]

@@roadlesstraveledtruckee Thanks for the info and for putting it in the description. Just to clarify for me and others - your new headset no longer has any "Blocklock" (which we think is the culprit for the noise and the movement) and so your bars can now turn fully without being stopped part way? I think I would worry more about the little electronic cables being pulled out than the bars hitting the frame if the blocklock mechanism is gone. I have a Large frame too so should have adequate clearance like you showed in the video.

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

​​⁠correct, nothing to stop it. The cables start to hold it back and it doesn’t seem to want to go more than 180 deg. during a situation where you just let it go somehow. Maybe not the case in a big crash but I’m taking that chance. Like one bike shop mechanic said, “now you will be like everyone else…”(non trek, Canyon, YT)

[@Ricks-Rides]

Stuff we should never have to think about when paying thousands for a new bike. Thanks again!

[@KeithMcFatridge]

Both my buddy and me have the same bikes as you. Same issues with both of ours. Sounds like the headset is clunking all the time. Hmm, may have to replace mine. YT said it’s the locking mechanism causing the clunking noise.

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

I’ll be interested in knowing if they come up with a fix. I worked closely with Andreas at YT and I don’t think he knew the cause until our conversations/this video.

[@KeithMcFatridge]

@@roadlesstraveledtruckee good to know. I went in several months back and complained about the noise. Said to bring it back in if it continued. I'm lucky to live fairly close to The Mill. Glad you were able to diagnose and fix the issue. Thanks for posting the video.

[@claudioalvarez9796]

Did you use the inset 2 or dropset 2?

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

Dropset 2. Specs in description.

[@barfo281]

So, does everyone who has that same model of YT bike have the same issue, or were you just lucky...twice?

[@roadlesstraveledtruckee]

Good question.

[@FunctionFIVE]

It's not that I need to do bar spins but man, I would not buy a bike with a headset like that personally (Personally as in me, y'all do whatever you want, it's your hard earned $)

[@koolkeith8908]

YT's are cheap but you get what you pay for.

[@jeffgood1580]

Lmfao YT doesn’t make the headset and the bike is top of the line. It’s way better than my specialized that was over double the cost. 🤡