ticking headset

Paul Davis vaguely muttered something like ...

Quoted message said:

I have a Cane Creek S2 headset on my rigid Inbred. When I rock the bike
backwards and forwards with the front brake applied, or rock the bike with
the front wheel hard agains a wall, I can hear a slight 'ticking' noise
which seems to come from the top cup.

Ahhh .. but is it _really_ coming from the headset ?

Quoted message said:

The headset is correctly tensioned with no play and smooth steering - I've
had it checked at the LBS to be sure and I've been told it's fine.

Fine .. could be forks, brakes, spokes, brake cable etc etc ... all can
create small ticking noises ..

Quoted message said:

I was wondering whether this is anything to worry about? Crane Creek
technical support seem to suggest that it's fine and mention that ticking
noises can come from friction between spacers (there is also the
possibility that the ticking is coming from elsewhere).

I have a stack of carbon spacers, I don't recall hearing the ticking when
I was using aluminium and Cane Creek plastic 'interlock' spacers.

Switch back to aluminium and listen hard .. 😉

Quoted message said:

Might it be the upper cup and cover moving or even the bearings?

Given that you and a mechanic (lbs) have checked it, it's doubtful, though
can't be ruled out totally without looking at it .. 😉

--
Paul ...

(8(|) Homer Rules !!!

"A [censored] is a [censored], no matter what mode of transport they're using."