Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


How to tell what headset bearings you have?

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> The Cycling Forum
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

Minty
World Chat Champion



Joined: 23 Dec 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 15:15 - 27 Feb 2013    Post subject: How to tell what headset bearings you have? Reply with quote

Hello my lovelies,

My Carrera Virago T.T (road bike) is getting a little loose on the headstock and am wanting to replace it. I cannot find any spec listings for my bike now (think it is a 2008 model).

The last time I did one was on my Raleigh Lizard. How the feck do I decide which size and type mine is (after seeing the plethora of varying types available online)?

Mucho thanks. Thumbs Up
____________________
My fingers smell of your mum.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?



Joined: 21 Sep 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 15:19 - 27 Feb 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think all you have to do is measure the width of the top fork tube (what the stem bolts onto).

Most of them are 1 1/8" I believe.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 16:19 - 27 Feb 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

You have a threadless headset. Almost certainly 1 1/8" but measure it quickly just to check.

I just fitted an FSA Orbit one to Mrs stinkwheels MTB. Sealed tapered roller bearings. Shouldn't ever need another set.

Also read this: https://sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Minty
World Chat Champion



Joined: 23 Dec 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 16:38 - 27 Feb 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
You have a threadless headset. Almost certainly 1 1/8" but measure it quickly just to check.

I just fitted an FSA Orbit one to Mrs stinkwheels MTB. Sealed tapered roller bearings. Shouldn't ever need another set.

Also read this: https://sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html


Yes, I am definitely threadless. Thanks chaps.

A colleague at my work thinks it'd be worthwile to take it apart, pack some grease and tighten it all up again before deciding to replace.

He has a decent bike and says he repacks his every 5-6 months to keep it tip top.

I have performed no maintenance on the headset since I came to own it around 3 and a half years ago.
____________________
My fingers smell of your mum.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 16:45 - 27 Feb 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you had sealed ones, they wouldn't need re-packing, what with them being sealed and all.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Minty
World Chat Champion



Joined: 23 Dec 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 16:48 - 27 Feb 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok, I guess I need a look-see and find out just what I have.

I'll report back........... Karma
____________________
My fingers smell of your mum.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Minty
World Chat Champion



Joined: 23 Dec 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 17:11 - 27 Feb 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

Work was quiet so I popped to the bike shed, undone the 2 pinch bolts and went to undo the main one........oh, it's loose already? ? ?

Tighten it all back up and it feels lovely now.

I bring much dishonour to the cycling family. Embarassed
____________________
My fingers smell of your mum.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

D O G
World Chat Champion



Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 17:59 - 27 Feb 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are referring to the 'main one' being the one on the top, so applying tension along the length of the steerer tube, this is not really the way to think about it.

That bolt is to apply pretension to the headset before tightening the pinch bolts on the stem.

Correct way to tighten is to nip up the tensioning bolt so there is no play in the headset, then tighten the pinch bolts on the stem. Not the other way round.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Minty
World Chat Champion



Joined: 23 Dec 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:57 - 27 Feb 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

That does make logical sense and is the way I tightened it back up. Felt like a different bike on the way home.

Ta muchly. Thumbs Up
____________________
My fingers smell of your mum.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 11 years, 32 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> The Cycling Forum All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.06 Sec - Server Load: 0.41 - MySQL Queries: 17 - Page Size: 62.86 Kb