I'd like to put a new headset on my commuter, but the lower cups of the current one have been installed at an angle (pic below), and I'm worried that this has reamed the head tube so that messing with the headsets would be a Bad Idea. Am I right?
I can live with the current headset, but I'm putting a UK order together and it'd be nice to upgrade I can. The current headset lets water in at the top, pushing the grease out at the bottom (which you can see in the pic) and allowing the bearings to rust.
Bad headset installation
-
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:28 pm
- Location: Melbourne, AU
-
- Posts: 1916
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:21 am
- Location: Perth
Re: Bad headset installation
Postby mitzikatzi » Sun Aug 12, 2012 5:52 pm
FSA Xtreme Pro Deep Cup Headset
There are several models of headsets with "deep cups". No idea if the one linked is suitable. I linked just as an example
There are several models of headsets with "deep cups". No idea if the one linked is suitable. I linked just as an example
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Bad headset installation
Postby il padrone » Sun Aug 12, 2012 6:36 pm
Most modern headsets (even the cheaper models) have a top race that goes over top of the upper cone to keep water out. Only the cheapest 1970s chromed steel headsets have top races that would let water in - they had an upwards-facing cup and the cone was screwed down from above. Your bike looks to be a more recent model than this. The grease coming out of the lower race may well be due to too much grease being packed in there - grease is generally water-proof and is unlikely to be washed out by water. Have you disassembled it and seen that the bearings are corroded?
The misaligned race could in all likelihood be corrected by disassembly and the use of some blocks of wood/metal and a good hammer blow to seat it in the correct alignment.
The misaligned race could in all likelihood be corrected by disassembly and the use of some blocks of wood/metal and a good hammer blow to seat it in the correct alignment.
Mandatory helmet law?
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
-
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:28 pm
- Location: Melbourne, AU
Re: Bad headset installation
Postby adaml » Wed Aug 15, 2012 12:48 am
Thanks padrone,
The bearings are corroded. This is the second time this has happened. The first time, the problem was found by the LBS who replaced the bearings and packed them with marine grease. The second time, I opened the headset myself maybe 18 months later, found the lower bearings had corroded again and repacked them myself with marine grease. Between these two services I had the problem with a noticeable smear of grease coming out the bottom.
It is a modern threadless set (bike's a 2010 model). Here's a pic of the top race:
As you can see the top race is divided into two concentric rings for some reason. I guess the water is entering through the gap between them.
A new set of bearings every year or so is obviously not a big deal, especially as the actual performance of the headset never seems to actually suffer, even when the bearings are corroded. But still, having a fit-a-forget headset would be nice.
The bearings are corroded. This is the second time this has happened. The first time, the problem was found by the LBS who replaced the bearings and packed them with marine grease. The second time, I opened the headset myself maybe 18 months later, found the lower bearings had corroded again and repacked them myself with marine grease. Between these two services I had the problem with a noticeable smear of grease coming out the bottom.
It is a modern threadless set (bike's a 2010 model). Here's a pic of the top race:
As you can see the top race is divided into two concentric rings for some reason. I guess the water is entering through the gap between them.
A new set of bearings every year or so is obviously not a big deal, especially as the actual performance of the headset never seems to actually suffer, even when the bearings are corroded. But still, having a fit-a-forget headset would be nice.
Jump to
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Cycling Brands
- Cannondale
- Garmin
- Giant
- Shimano
- Trek
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+11:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
Brought to you by Bicycles Network Australia | © 1999 - 2024 | Powered by phpBB ®
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.