Ben's Giant Cadex C.f.r 1

Holding point for when this frame arrives from my eBay purchase.

Unsure how to build it up, at this point, but I might give the Wheeltop electronic shifting a go.

I used to have a Cadex 980c - unpainted - and regret ever selling it. Someone passed me on one the other day, and it triggered me to start searching eBay once more. All the 980cs are either huge, in Japan for silly money, or built up and the seller unwilling to break.

Bit of a risk, these old aluminium/carbon frames, but fortune favours the brave as they say...

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This arrived today. I have a question about fitting a headset.

It looks like the head tube - where the top half of the headset would be pressed into - is slightly out of round. I think a manufacturing error as there are no dings or creases.

Will this make it difficult (impossible?) to press in the headset?

I’m not expecting perfection btw, on a £180 frame from the 90s - so happy to run with it.

Photo attached - if the zip tie is at 2 o clock, the out of roundness is at about 4 o clock.

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I wouldn't call that "slightly" unround. I would contact a frame builder about this, looks like it too much to just fix by reaming it.

FWIW, the photo (and how I have positioned the steerer) does exaggerate the issue.

Will seek professional advice, and I have also asked the seller if they have personally had a headset in there.

That looks very much like it's been dropped or knocked in transit, which is a shame because these early Cadex's are cool frames.

I’d be amazed if it happened in transit. It was packaged amazingly - took me half an hour to get into it!

The seller is being great, says to keep them posted. They had it built up at one point.

Steel will bend.I have seen a couple of headsets go in without a problem with similar issues.

Yeh, and I’m confident I can solve it myself if a shop refuses to give it a go.

I wanted to fit EPS, but the way the tubes are bonded into the lugs will make it just about impossible.

It looks like it is caused by pressure from the front whilst a headset was absent. If the races of a headset can be pressed i it is largely irrelevant I would guess. Press on with it (pardon the pun)

I’m looking forward to having it built up, but I need to find a home for it first! XD

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It looks great.

I'm inspired to take some photos for my curreent project which is on hold until I return to Derby

John

You should. Lots of interest here!

Do like a Gaint will follow this project.

Headset press arrives today.

(still competing with the fact I don't have space for a new build - the frame is currently tucked away behind the Donhou and a bag of birdseed)

Lovely frame.
Did you manage to squeeze the headset in without issue?? Hoping for a pic of the end result.
Giant cadex has sentimental value for me. My first foray into geared bikes ( after fixeh skidding in London) was when i moved to the chilterns and picked up an 8 speed 980c. Loved it

Haven’t tried yet. I collect the headset from Condor yesterday, so I might have a go this weekend.

Slow burner, this one.