Replacment for Dura Ace 7400 headset
06-14-20, 07:26 PM
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Replacment for Dura Ace 7400 headset
I have a nice 80s columbus SL roadbike, with this dura ace 7400 headset that's just been an endless pain in the butt for years. No matter how hard I tighten down the locknut it always works itself loose after just 1 or 2 rides. A couple years ago, no surprise, it finally brinnelled and so I decided to replace the caged bearings with loose balls, which worked for a couple years but now I'm getting indexed steering again. Several times I've spent too long online trying to find a replacement to no avail. I'm not really interested in getting another 7400, given all the trouble I had with it, besides they're absurdly expensive on ebay. But the problem is I can't seem to find a replacement with a similar stack height, which according to velobase is 36.3 mm. When I took it apart a couple years ago I seem to remember confirming this number with a measurement.
It looks like all the new threaded headsets are either >40mm stack height for cartridge bearing models or ~30mm for caged bearing models. I don't need anything that fancy, i'm just looking for something bomb proof that I can install and never have to worry about for many years. Seems like the options these days for 1" threaded headsets are pretty limited, any ideas?
It looks like all the new threaded headsets are either >40mm stack height for cartridge bearing models or ~30mm for caged bearing models. I don't need anything that fancy, i'm just looking for something bomb proof that I can install and never have to worry about for many years. Seems like the options these days for 1" threaded headsets are pretty limited, any ideas?
06-14-20, 07:32 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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I was going to say Chris King as he handles all my Threaded needs but you need a specific stack height and I am unsure what the stack height is.
You might try the IRD Durall Headset I believe that is the closest match I know of.
You might try the IRD Durall Headset I believe that is the closest match I know of.
06-14-20, 08:05 PM
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This was posted on BF a number of years ago. I can't verify the accuracy, but it should help...
John
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06-14-20, 09:56 PM
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06-14-20, 10:15 PM
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If SanO's chart is accurate, I'd put a Tange Levin headset on the bike and call it a day. It might need an extra washer to be sure the locknut doesn't bottom out but you'll find that out when you put it all together.
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06-14-20, 10:28 PM
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I actually thought that same thing and checked eBay and saw a few at 33.3mm... but what’s .004”?
John
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06-14-20, 11:15 PM
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I've had quite a few bikes with threaded headsets over the years, and none have been remotely as problematic as this one.
I had similar problems keeping an Ultegra headset adjusted. I'm not inexperienced either: 41 years since I started working on bikes professionally.
If SanO's chart is accurate, I'd put a Tange Levin headset on the bike and call it a day. It might need an extra washer to be sure the locknut doesn't bottom out but you'll find that out when you put it all together.
If SanO's chart is accurate, I'd put a Tange Levin headset on the bike and call it a day. It might need an extra washer to be sure the locknut doesn't bottom out but you'll find that out when you put it all together.
06-15-20, 12:34 AM
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I have a Specialzed Pro headset which has been golden for years. It is still smooth. I know I probably won’t find another. I’m going to pick up a a Chris King Gripnut on of these days for down the road. But at $150, I’ve been putting it off.
John
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06-15-20, 06:53 AM
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The Shimano 7400 headset uses aluminum threaded pieces. I suspect that the threads have been damaged so that it can no longer hold adjustment. A new headset of the same or shorter stack height will fix the problem, and the fretting damage the OP reports as well.
