Not exactly C&V but adjacent: 1-1/8 threadless roller bearing headset
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,467
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 753 Times
in
410 Posts
Not exactly C&V but adjacent: 1-1/8 threadless roller bearing headset
I know 1-1/8" threadless headsets aren't C&V in the strictest sense, but I also know that we have a good number of members here that love roller bearing headsets, specifically the A9 stronglight. I'm one of them, put an A9 on my '82 Miyata 1200.
Anyways, I figure this topic might be interesting for the forum. It's a 1-1/8" threadless headset with tapered roller bearings, made by SolidBikes in Sacramento, CA. Not the lightest headset, 5.5 ounces (nice 1-1/8" threadless external cup headsets are around 3 ounces), but it's cheap, only $35.00.
I'm also posting here about it because there's hardly any mention of this headset anywhere online, despite there being a good number of threads asking about headsets of this size/type.
I'm not sure where to push this conversation, if anywhere...just thought some members here might find the headset intriguing. I purchased one and it's on the way in the mail, I'll let you all know how it goes!
Headset For 1 1/8" Press Fit | Solid Bikes (bigcartel.com)
Anyways, I figure this topic might be interesting for the forum. It's a 1-1/8" threadless headset with tapered roller bearings, made by SolidBikes in Sacramento, CA. Not the lightest headset, 5.5 ounces (nice 1-1/8" threadless external cup headsets are around 3 ounces), but it's cheap, only $35.00.
I'm also posting here about it because there's hardly any mention of this headset anywhere online, despite there being a good number of threads asking about headsets of this size/type.
I'm not sure where to push this conversation, if anywhere...just thought some members here might find the headset intriguing. I purchased one and it's on the way in the mail, I'll let you all know how it goes!
Headset For 1 1/8" Press Fit | Solid Bikes (bigcartel.com)
Likes For Piff:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 4,476
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1829 Post(s)
Liked 3,375 Times
in
1,580 Posts
the roller bearing itself looks quite similar to what was used in the Stonglight Delta and A9 headsets. They used a conical washer to provide a hard surface for the bearings to run on. I'm still trying to understand whether the washers also move around a little to provide some self-alignment or not. The rest of the headset is made of aluminum, resulting in a very light headset.
a shot of the Delta headset...
...and the details of the Delta's lower bearing assembly....
Steve in Peoria
a shot of the Delta headset...
...and the details of the Delta's lower bearing assembly....
Steve in Peoria
Likes For steelbikeguy:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,819
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,327 Times
in
783 Posts
Or if they do, it's not by design, and only successful by chance.
The races are cones. To provide alignment there must be a pair of (sections of) spherical surfaces.
#4
PeopleCode delaminator
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,467
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 753 Times
in
410 Posts
Update: They arrived yesterday. Will be posting some pics and a quick writeup in a week probably, there's a fair amount to do first in order to get the bike running.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,467
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 753 Times
in
410 Posts
For those interested...
The headset works great! Like most roller bearing headsets it has a bit more drag. Beneficial for the bike it went on, I wanted the front end to be a bit less twitchy and for it to ride with no hands easily. A little finicky to setup; the compression ring has to be tightened down on the steerer tube before tightening down the top cap. If you tighten the top cap first and then the compression ring the headset will bind, it's too tight. The directions sent with the headset do say to do this, but for some reason I second-guessed them.
Heavier than most headsets, but if you're looking for a cheaper 1-1/8 threadless roller bearing headset I can't think of another option.
The headset works great! Like most roller bearing headsets it has a bit more drag. Beneficial for the bike it went on, I wanted the front end to be a bit less twitchy and for it to ride with no hands easily. A little finicky to setup; the compression ring has to be tightened down on the steerer tube before tightening down the top cap. If you tighten the top cap first and then the compression ring the headset will bind, it's too tight. The directions sent with the headset do say to do this, but for some reason I second-guessed them.
Heavier than most headsets, but if you're looking for a cheaper 1-1/8 threadless roller bearing headset I can't think of another option.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,467
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 753 Times
in
410 Posts
As an update, the headset is smooth as glass a year later. Zero issues with knocking or grit or indexing
Yeah it's no longer $35, now $50, but still a fine product that will probably last many decades of use.
Yeah it's no longer $35, now $50, but still a fine product that will probably last many decades of use.
Likes For Piff:
#9
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lititz, Pa
Posts: 3,328
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 885 Post(s)
Liked 990 Times
in
522 Posts
I have a Surly steamroller in my que to build up. I have a handsome cycles disc fork and one of these would be sweet.
the potential build;
Surly steamroller
650b rims
Shimano deore disc front hub
SRAM automatic coaster brake rear
Brooks flyer saddle
4" riser bars
Bruce Gordon rock and road tires.
Not sure what crank
the potential build;
Surly steamroller
650b rims
Shimano deore disc front hub
SRAM automatic coaster brake rear
Brooks flyer saddle
4" riser bars
Bruce Gordon rock and road tires.
Not sure what crank
__________________
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
#10
aged to perfection
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: PacNW
Posts: 1,814
Bikes: Dinucci Allez 2.0, Richard Sachs, Alex Singer, Serotta, Masi GC, Raleigh Pro Mk.1, Hetchins, etc
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 837 Post(s)
Liked 1,258 Times
in
663 Posts
this is an exceptionally good part. Works good and lasts a long time.
the two conical washers will adjust to compensate for any mis-alignment of the head tube faces
the contact on these is a line along the length of each of the rollers - rather than a point of contact as would be the case with a ball bearing unit.
/markp
the two conical washers will adjust to compensate for any mis-alignment of the head tube faces
the contact on these is a line along the length of each of the rollers - rather than a point of contact as would be the case with a ball bearing unit.
/markp
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,467
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 753 Times
in
410 Posts
Yeah, the part works great, as I understand it at the start of BMX riding back in the day the standard ball bearing headsets weren't living up to the abuse so this company cottoned on to the idea of roller bearings, maybe they had a roadie friend with a stronglight. Anyways, they're tapered instead of perfectly cylindrical, a nice improvement over the original. Interesting company, they also sell frame tubing (assumedly for BMX bikes).
Last edited by Piff; 08-10-23 at 09:56 AM.