ADAP7IVE

I am just about to pull the trigger on a 'cross bike I like, for everyday commuting across terrain (roads of various upkeep, unpaved dirt roads) and variable weather (it rains very often where I live, and heavy rain from June to September--typhoon season). I just came across some articles about protecting bicycle parts with fenders, including the headset. Having ridden in relatively dry areas before now, I never considered this, and wonder how serious an issue it is. The bike I'm looking at has a carbon fork with no eyelets or mounts for a front fender, so clip-on/limited coverage ones seem my only option for front fenders.

Will wet riding without full-coverage fenders kill the headset parts noticeably quickly? I'd rather not get a bike that's not fit for purpose, even though in every other respect that I've thought of (there always seems to be something else) it seems good.

Here's the bike, for reference:

CXG Muddy Fox CX Gravel?ARAYA Bicycle Project

2lo8

It's not that big of a deal with some sort of sealed bearings in the headset. If your headset has bad or no seals, it's probably cup and cone and it just means you need to rebuild it more often.

trailflow1

Not a serious issue no.

Pack it with grease and service it regularly.

Ignore magazine/internet articles.

or fit one of these lizard skin headset protectors from the 90's. Take it off and clean and dry it every so often
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/lizard-skins...eal-protector/

dsbrantjr

People have been riding bikes in the rain for a very long time and have managed to survive somehow; you will be fine.

ADAP7IVE

Thanks all for the help. I'll remember a bike is still a fairly simple tool with a loooong history, and the internet brings problems to the fore.

I also went digging for more information about the bike because the manufacturer site doesn't have great pictures (Japan doesn't know about web design), and found that there is a hole on the BACK of the fork for mounting fenders!

Sorry for the Japanese page, but there's a clear image of the hole there:

Bici Termini ???» **********??? » 2015 ARAYA CXG **********????

2lo8

But I like Japanese style 1998 no-nonsense web design.

79pmooney

You could put on one of those mini fenders that extend about 6" either side of the fork. Won't help you, but it will keep the headset a lot cleaner and drier. If you want to go the lizardskin route but cannot find them, cut an innertube to a ring and install it over the headset. If the headset is not sealed, repack at least the bottom bearing with the grease used in boat trailer hubs. (In the US, we call it marine grease and it is usually sky blue. Available at all auto parts stores and not very expensive.) Use lots. So much that it oozes out and makes a mess. Water and the grit in it cannot get past that grease if you use enough.

Ben

ADAP7IVE

LOL. Very efficient. It's the 2016 go-through-10-text-heavy-pages-to-complete-your-task ones that get difficult. Buying anything online that isn't Amazon is a slog. I can read Japanese, but I don't think I'll ever get used to the uniform size and tight spacing of Japanese print.

ADAP7IVE

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep that in mind for all my bikes.

dsbrantjr

From Google Translate: "has dowel holes in consideration of the mounting of the fender is available."

ADAP7IVE

Thanks. I can read it, but not sure how many others on the forum can. For anyone else who came to help, thanks! The problem of fender attachment is not actually a problem. The real problem was my own failure to go digging for more data before now.

Sangetsu

I use fenders to keep myself dry, my bike doesn't care one way or the other. My oldest bike has been ridden in all kinds of weather for 18 years now with no fenders, no service, not even a re-lube, of the headset. I should get around to doing it, whenever I find the time.

2lo8

I want to cycle in Nippon

fietsbob

What Kind of head set?

Why get a fork inappropriate for the kind of rides you Plan?


BITD, we pulled the fork slipped a section of old inner tube over the lower bearing cup, then Put the fork Back in.

SquidPuppet

The fit between that fork and that headset is excellent. Exposure is reduced to almost nothing. It will probably be problem-free for a long time.

GerryinHouston

Planet Bike SpeedEz fenders, require no eyelets

corrado33

Do you have ADD? ADHD perhaps? Such relevance to this thread. Good job.

OP: You'll be fine, stop worrying about it. If you're going to use the bike for commuting you're going to want fenders anyway, especially if it rains a lot. You wouldn't have problems even if you didn't use fenders. Go ride, have fun!

Spoonrobot 

Headset will be OK but the bottom bracket will have a significantly reduced life span.

fietsbob

If You take the wheel out and take a picture of the underside and back side of It maybe people can see .

Is there a hole thru the fork crown in either direction ?

readability

Or use a piece of inner tube

jimc101

Why? it's got an Octalink BB, haven ridden a lot of distance with a few of these off & on road since the came out int he early '00, have never had any issues with them, have found Octalink BB's to just be a fit and forget product.