Lightcarbon: LCR018-D (endurance all-road)

[GammaDriver]

I got my LCR018 in early December, but only had it built up last week.  The bike is pretty sweet. 

Thank you to whomever recommended a better set of headset bearings from Amazon - I bought those and installed those instead.  They were noticeably better than the ones Light Carbon put into the kit, but it was nice to have the LC ones just to make sure I ended up buying the correct size.

I went with Shimano 12 speed, cable-actuated 105. 

I'm 5'10", 56 fits me nicely.  I have a 90 stem, 38mm wide bars. 

[2wheeledbarbie]

more shims required maybe?

Hi guys,
I just finished my new build but am experiencing play in the headset unfortunately. I am sure this was addressed some times earlier here but I did not find a proper solution anyway and hope you can help me.
I am using the bearings from light carbon but the following stem spacers and top cap.: https://a.aliexpress.com/_EuoqYTG

But if I tighten the top cap slightly (like normal) I have significant play back and forth in the headset.
The play disappears only if I thighten the top cap >2.5 NM. This makes no sense and also the steering I not rideable stiff.
I double checked the mounting direction of the bearings, they are correct.
The angle of the cut of the fork is not ideal. See attached pictures. Could this be the problem bc the compression plug is not at the right angle if thightend?
Do you have any other ideas what I could try?
Also when mounting everthing multiple times the compression plug became loose it seemed, this seemed also strange to me.

Thanks alot in advance.

[mingc]

I got my LCR018 in early December, but only had it built up last week.  The bike is pretty sweet. 

Thank you to whomever recommended a better set of headset bearings from Amazon - I bought those and installed those instead.  They were noticeably better than the ones Light Carbon put into the kit, but it was nice to have the LC ones just to make sure I ended up buying the correct size.

I went with Shimano 12 speed, cable-actuated 105.

I'm awaiting delivery of my LCR018D. What headset bearings did you get from Amazon?

[CryogenieX]

But if I tighten the top cap slightly (like normal) I have significant play back and forth in the headset.

Also when mounting everthing multiple times the compression plug became loose it seemed, this seemed also strange to me.

Thanks alot in advance.

Hello, just to be sure, the order of tightening the screws on the cockpit: expander plug -> top cap -> handlebar pinch bolts.
I made the rookie mistake of tightening the pinch bolts first and then the expander plug / top cap. So tightening the top cap in the end always pulls the expander plug out since the handlebar can't move.

[STEGPB]

I'm awaiting delivery of my LCR018D. What headset bearings did you get from Amazon?

Interested in that answer as well, folks on reddit recommended to replace the bearings by stainless steel headset bearing, provided the format MHP16, but no specific model.

Second: does anyone have a suggestion for a wrapper for the hydraulic brake hose?

[weldi181]

more shims required maybe?

i also had this in mind but did not know that shims for headset are a thing.
Does someone here has experience with this or maybe recommendations for some?

[weldi181]

Hello, just to be sure, the order of tightening the screws on the cockpit: expander plug -> top cap -> handlebar pinch bolts.
I made the rookie mistake of tightening the pinch bolts first and then the expander plug / top cap. So tightening the top cap in the end always pulls the expander plug out since the handlebar can't move.

Hi, valid question!
I am aware of the correct order and made sure the handlebar bolts were extra loose when tightening the top cap. So i am pretty sure i did the assembling in the right order and also repeated it multiple times to make sure.
But anyway thanks for the advise, mabye helping someone else.

[gusuka]

Hi guys,
I just finished my new build but am experiencing play in the headset unfortunately. I am sure this was addressed some times earlier here but I did not find a proper solution anyway and hope you can help me.
I am using the bearings from light carbon but the following stem spacers and top cap.: https://a.aliexpress.com/_EuoqYTG

But if I tighten the top cap slightly (like normal) I have significant play back and forth in the headset.
The play disappears only if I thighten the top cap >2.5 NM. This makes no sense and also the steering I not rideable stiff.
I double checked the mounting direction of the bearings, they are correct.
The angle of the cut of the fork is not ideal. See attached pictures. Could this be the problem bc the compression plug is not at the right angle if thightend?
Do you have any other ideas what I could try?
Also when mounting everthing multiple times the compression plug became loose it seemed, this seemed also strange to me.

Thanks alot in advance.

Just before tightening the top cap, is there a gap of about 5 mm between the top cap and the top of the steerer tube, that is, the compression plug? I guess you’ve probably already checked this, but if there isn’t enough gap, you’ll need to either add a shim or cut a bit more off the steerer tube. Also, in that case, the compression plug might already be damaged, so it’s worth checking.

[GammaDriver]

I'm awaiting delivery of my LCR018D. What headset bearings did you get from Amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081GGFTQ9?th=1

[J89eu]

Just finalising my build, has anyone gone for the wheelset Jim recommended to me?
C52DB-RD923-45C-1423,
Inner width 23mm, should fit 30C-45C, I will likely run 32mm most of the time but nice to get the extra width. Not seen anyone really discuss them here, perhaps known under a different name? Option for Sapim spokes which I'll upgrade to if I go for it

[GammaDriver]

Just finalising my build, has anyone gone for the wheelset Jim recommended to me?
C52DB-RD923-45C-1423,
Inner width 23mm, should fit 30C-45C, I will likely run 32mm most of the time but nice to get the extra width. Not seen anyone really discuss them here, perhaps known under a different name? Option for Sapim spokes which I'll upgrade to if I go for it

I have inner-width 25mm rims, and the GP 5000's are measuring over 34.65mm wide when on them.

[GammaDriver]

Interested in that answer as well, folks on reddit recommended to replace the bearings by stainless steel headset bearing, provided the format MHP16, but no specific model.
...

I would do what I've done in the past, and what I've done on this LC bike: slather synthetic boat-trailer marine-grade grease all over the exterior of the bearings.  If water can't get to them, rust won't really be an issue.

[chaseme]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081GGFTQ9?th=1

Big n00b question here, but the frame/headset requires two of these in the same size?

[GammaDriver]

After experiencing problems with the storage compartment lid—it rattled and I even lost it once with a water bottle attached—Wendy sent me a new, improved lid free of charge within a week. This one doesn't rattle, fits much better, and the lever stays securely locked in the "locked" position. For me, it's a perfect solution with quick implementation. Great job on excellent service!

Any chance you could send us a picture of what is different between the old and the new?  My bike was made in October of 2025, but I only got it together last week.  So far, no rattles, but that's only 110 miles ridden.

[bsharp77]

Any chance you could send us a picture of what is different between the old and the new?  My bike was made in October of 2025, but I only got it together last week.  So far, no rattles, but that's only 110 miles ridden.

The new one has a little “lip” that the lever has to travel over to dock into place - it’s raised up so it stops the lever from travelling back down on its own.
A good improvement and holding up so far here.