jadocs

Hey all,

Need some assistance from the experts with regard to headset bearing replacement on a threaded Campagnolo headset.

Research says the bearings are 25-5/32” caged bearings. I assume the “25” refers to the number of ball bearings and the 5/32 refers to the size? Is there anything else I need to be aware of?

Where is a good source to acquire these bearings and is there a particular brand which is more desirable? It appears that campagnolo branded bearings are a lot more expensive. I’ve only seen them on eBay.

Last question, is caged more desirable than just using straight ball bearings?

Thanks for the help

Iride01 

You have the basics correct. Double check that your current bearings are actually the size in the spec's. Don't overthink it. The headset doesn't even turn but a few degrees for normal riding.

jadocs

Thanks Iride much appreciated.

Any suggestions on a place to source these bearings? I’ve seen “wheels manufacturing” turn up in my google searches.

thanks again

Iride01 

In normal times, I'd just go down to a local supplier for the local industry or a bike shop. However I've also ordered from these people and had amazing service. McMaster-Carr

Pack of 50 for about 10 dollars. Don't know about shipping costs, but it's always been fast and reasonable.

jadocs

Excellent thank you

100bikes

FYI- Campagnolo are also grade25 bearings. This relates to not only the precision of the bearing, but the consistency of the tolerances between bearings. Makes a difference in an application with precision ground surfaces- headsets and bb cups. Lower grade bearing(such as hardware store replacements, which are likely grade 300) in the same setting could lead to early pitting of bearing surfaces.

Iride01 

grade is just the roundness of the ball. 25 millionths of an inch is probably overkill for something that will never make the balls roll even half their circumference.

But that is just IMO. Grade 25 isn't uncommon, nor more costly.

bikemig 

If the bearings are caged, then the number is immaterial. You use as many bearings as needed for the cage. 25 is likely the grade for the ball bearings and that is what I would use.

https://wheelsmfg.com/ball-532-25.html

JohnDThompson 

Which model Campagnolo headset do you have? Pista and Gran Sport use 25 5/32" balls in each race, while Record and Super Record road headsets use 20 3/16" balls in each race.

jadocs

Thanks everyone again. You know that is a good question. I honestly don’t know and could. Or find anything definitive. Can you guys tell by this pic?





I ended up purchasing 3/16 bearings from RustyBicycleShop. Great online store with lots of hard to find small parts. I do have some loose 5/32 ball bearings that I could use just in case.

JohnDThompson 

Looks like one of the newer models; C-Record or Chorus or some such. Unfortunately, that doesn't help much: C-Record uses 25 5/32" balls and Chorus uses 20 3/16" balls.

What are the rest of the components? Have you opened up the headset to see the size/number of balls currently installed?

jadocs

Ha it figures! Yes I had it apart and re-greased the top and bottom, but did not think to count or measure. Had I known there were two different sizes, I would have paid more attention.

jadocs

It came with Record 8 speed, but it was built up so no telling if all the parts were Record. I know the hubs were...not sure on the seatpost (can you tell?). I have since put Record 11 on.