Headset bearing
#26
Newbie
Thread Starter
Anyway, I managed to source them from a friend who has an allez so had a few spare laying around. Sorry if I annoyed anyone with my question, the numbers initially baffled me.
I did try to fit them yesterday and the top one fit without issue. the bottom despite being the same measurement when i compared it to my old one, wont fully seat into the headtube, is it normal for new bearings to require a bit of a hit into place? Dont want to hit the bearing if it should just fit easily without force.
I did try to fit them yesterday and the top one fit without issue. the bottom despite being the same measurement when i compared it to my old one, wont fully seat into the headtube, is it normal for new bearings to require a bit of a hit into place? Dont want to hit the bearing if it should just fit easily without force.
#27
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Good lord, the a$$#0les really came out for this thread.
If the OP felt comfotable knowing exactly what to look for, he would not have started the thread.
If the OP felt comfotable knowing exactly what to look for, he would not have started the thread.
Likes For Kapusta:
#28
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
BTW, if I wear out a headset bearing in under a year, I would probably get the head tube faced (if it was not already done) before spending the money on another bearing.
Even a cheap bearing should last a very long time in a properly aligned headtube, whereas the nicest bearings out there will get destroyed in sort order if the head tube is off.
The only two headset bearings I have EVER worn out were in new frames. In each case I got the head tube faced and the replacement lasted indefinitely.
Most modern non-BSO frames don’t need the head tube faced these days, but sometimes they do
Even a cheap bearing should last a very long time in a properly aligned headtube, whereas the nicest bearings out there will get destroyed in sort order if the head tube is off.
The only two headset bearings I have EVER worn out were in new frames. In each case I got the head tube faced and the replacement lasted indefinitely.
Most modern non-BSO frames don’t need the head tube faced these days, but sometimes they do
#29
I am potato.
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 3,116
Bikes: Only precision built, custom high performance elitist machines of the highest caliber. 🍆
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1789 Post(s)
Liked 1,629 Times
in
933 Posts
I did try to fit them yesterday and the top one fit without issue. the bottom despite being the same measurement when i compared it to my old one, wont fully seat into the headtube, is it normal for new bearings to require a bit of a hit into place? Dont want to hit the bearing if it should just fit easily without force.
I had a headset that developed a bit of slop in the crown race. Eventually the steerer cracked when I was braking very hard & hit a pothole. It was an interesting ride home.
Make sure the bearing is not upside-down when you install it. The outer 45 degree chamfer goes to the cup; The inner chamfer goes to the crown race. Don't forget to install the cartridge with a bit of grease to prevent any creaking. You should be fine.
Last edited by base2; 02-02-22 at 11:03 AM.
Likes For base2:
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,806
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1944 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
I’ve never had to tap a “headset” bearing into place, sealed or otherwise. Even more so, if the old bearing fits easily.
If you have digital calipers, you can measure old and new bearings and make sure they are the same.
Obviously if it measures out correctly and bearing number is stamped on the new bearing, it brings up questions if the cup was damaged.
John
If you have digital calipers, you can measure old and new bearings and make sure they are the same.
Obviously if it measures out correctly and bearing number is stamped on the new bearing, it brings up questions if the cup was damaged.
John
#31
Newbie
Thread Starter
I’ve never had to tap a “headset” bearing into place, sealed or otherwise. Even more so, if the old bearing fits easily.
If you have digital calipers, you can measure old and new bearings and make sure they are the same.
Obviously if it measures out correctly and bearing number is stamped on the new bearing, it brings up questions if the cup was damaged.
John
If you have digital calipers, you can measure old and new bearings and make sure they are the same.
Obviously if it measures out correctly and bearing number is stamped on the new bearing, it brings up questions if the cup was damaged.
John
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,806
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1944 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
I don’t have the background to state that the head tube ends not being faced and not parallel will cause a deformation of the cup.
I think the above suggestion about non-faced head tube has merit based on bearing longevity and the tight fit of the new bearing. With the pounding the headset takes it is within reason.
Spending a hour to remove a cartridge headset bearing, is not within reason.
John
I think the above suggestion about non-faced head tube has merit based on bearing longevity and the tight fit of the new bearing. With the pounding the headset takes it is within reason.
Spending a hour to remove a cartridge headset bearing, is not within reason.
John
#33
Newbie
Thread Starter
I agree, although I think this was error on my part by pushing in the bearing too much on one side causing it to be lodged at an angle
#34
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
In all the headsets I have worked with with cartridge bearings (I’ll guess 30?) not one needed to be pressed or tapped in. They should go in and out very easily. Heck they sometimes just fall out.
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Posts: 908
Bikes: Wife says I have too many :-)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 327 Post(s)
Liked 250 Times
in
158 Posts
Yeah, measurements were identical so weird the old one fit without much issue. The new one went in quite easily but wouldn't fully seat so I had to force it a bit and then followed an hour of using a soft blow hammer to get it back out as it was lodged in an angle. Very longgggg, i will try fitting it again tomorrow being careful to push it in as square as possible