Headset Question-Newbie
10-19-22, 03:48 PM
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Headset Question-Newbie
Hey all,
So i recently decided to build a road bike as a little project. I picked up a used but good conditon motobecane sprint, came with wheels and a fork but no bearings inside the head tube
Ive tried to make sense of what i actually need to buy but its all a little confusing. Its totally stripped to bare frame so i need bearings, bearing races, seals? Sorry if some of these terms arent common i come from an automotive background
Any help pointing me in the right direction is greatly appreciated.
So i recently decided to build a road bike as a little project. I picked up a used but good conditon motobecane sprint, came with wheels and a fork but no bearings inside the head tube
Ive tried to make sense of what i actually need to buy but its all a little confusing. Its totally stripped to bare frame so i need bearings, bearing races, seals? Sorry if some of these terms arent common i come from an automotive background
Any help pointing me in the right direction is greatly appreciated.
10-19-22, 03:54 PM
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How old is that bike? What is the steerer diameter, 1" or 1-1/8"? I expect you need a standard press-in headset but if the bike is newer than say 2005, perhaps an "integrated" headset.
10-19-22, 03:59 PM
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Not exactly sure of how old it is but I cam tell you for sure its 1 1/8 and from the research uve done it says threadless? It wont let me post a hyperlink to the data i found but im assuming its from 2006
10-19-22, 06:10 PM
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You can tell for sure? Was this measurement or guessing? Guessing is not a for sure thing and whatever you find on the internet is not always true. If you do not have a headset you will need a headset of some sort. That will need to be measured there are tools online to get your S.H.I.S. (standard headset identification system) straight but you may consider taking it to a shop to confirm if you aren't sure or want to make sure you are getting correct parts.
10-19-22, 06:31 PM
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Do a search for the "Motobecane Sprint" and see if you can find your bike. Here's a random example of one model which lists the compatible headset and size. Motobecane USA | Aluminum+ Bicycles | Track Bicycles | Cross Bicycles
10-19-22, 06:47 PM
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You already know you need a threadless headset. Odds are it'll be 1-1/8".
But don't guess. Headsets are classed by the fork, so measure the steerer tube's OD, which should be 1-1/8". You don't need great precision, since the other sizes are 1" or 1-1/4".
This gets you most of the way home, because there are non-standard headsets, so looking up your bike's s pecs will nail it down.
But don't guess. Headsets are classed by the fork, so measure the steerer tube's OD, which should be 1-1/8". You don't need great precision, since the other sizes are 1" or 1-1/4".
This gets you most of the way home, because there are non-standard headsets, so looking up your bike's s pecs will nail it down.
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10-19-22, 07:04 PM
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If its not threadless, its likely a 1" threaded with 2 top locknuts. I think there was briefly a 1" threadless, cannot recall, but very few of those around. If 1-1/8" threadless, i would just buy a new complete headset, they are cheap enough. A decent quality Ritchey is $13 at Nashbar. Problem is do you have the tools to remove and install it, if not maybe just have an LBS do it.
10-19-22, 08:08 PM
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This makes sense, i know its 1 1/8"
You already know you need a threadless headset. Odds are it'll be 1-1/8".
But don't guess. Headsets are classed by the fork, so measure the steerer tube's OD, which should be 1-1/8". You don't need great precision, since the other sizes are 1" or 1-1/4".
This gets you most of the way home, because there are non-standard headsets, so looking up your bike's s pecs will nail it down.
But don't guess. Headsets are classed by the fork, so measure the steerer tube's OD, which should be 1-1/8". You don't need great precision, since the other sizes are 1" or 1-1/4".
This gets you most of the way home, because there are non-standard headsets, so looking up your bike's s pecs will nail it down.
10-19-22, 08:10 PM
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Thanks for the response, the bearing races have already been removed so id just have to press the new one in. I can likely get it in with the tools i have, if not ill bring it to the local shop
If its not threadless, its likely a 1" threaded with 2 top locknuts. I think there was briefly a 1" threadless, cannot recall, but very few of those around. If 1-1/8" threadless, i would just buy a new complete headset, they are cheap enough. A decent quality Ritchey is $13 at Nashbar. Problem is do you have the tools to remove and install it, if not maybe just have an LBS do it.
10-19-22, 09:17 PM
#10
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You can confirm the size with some cardboard. Cut a 1" wide slot on the side and another one 1-1/8" and then fit your steerer inside to measure it.
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10-20-22, 05:42 AM
#11
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A set of calipers (digital or other) would also do it. And they're also worth buying if the OP doesn't have a set - they're a hugely useful tool when rehabbing/restoring a bike to verify various component dimensions.
10-20-22, 09:22 AM
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The great thing about headset standards is there's so many of them:
https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog...dset-standards
https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog...dset-standards
10-20-22, 09:42 AM
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Yup i can see that already, luckily i have a good caliper
10-21-22, 05:10 AM
#14
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The great thing about headset standards is there's so many of them:
https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog...dset-standards
https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog...dset-standards
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-headsets.html
