Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the new April's Giveaway for a Chance to Win the Euybike S4 Pro Max ebike worth $1299


Threadless Headset Stfiff after Overhaul
#1
Hey guys,

I recently overhauled my FSA threadless headset ie. took it to bits, cleaned everything, greased it & put it back on.

Now, although the handlebars still turn as much as I need them to, the headset feels quite stiff.

Does anyone know what the problem might be?

Cheers

Si
  Reply
#2
you have probably overtightened the top cap screw.
read this, section 12 under headset assembly;
http://www.bike-components.de/bedienungsanleitungen/2011/fsa/gravity/headset_instructions.pdf
  Reply
#3
(05-05-2011, 07:42 AM)trevgbb Wrote:  you have probably overtightened the top cap screw.
read this, section 12 under headset assembly;
http://www.bike-components.de/bedienungsanleitungen/2011/fsa/gravity/headset_instructions.pdf

Aah right, thanks Trev, thanks very much. In your opinion, should I go through the whole overhaul procedure again? Or just loosen the top cap a bit?

Cheers

Si
  Reply
#4
loosen the side clamp screws until you can just move the bars around, back off the top cap screw a little at a time, until you have the right "feel" on the bearings, retighten the side screws. Test the assembly on rotation and forward and back against the brake, repeat if necessary.
You cannot adjust the bearing preload with the side clamp screws tight.
  Reply
#5
make sure your bearings are not put in upside down
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
10,197
03-17-2016, 10:24 AM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
8,062
02-15-2015, 04:49 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
19,513
01-26-2015, 02:21 PM
Last Post: eamil
 
11,861
01-18-2015, 12:16 PM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
12,005
04-24-2013, 07:45 PM
Last Post: Benen

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Cycling industry is pricing out their ow...
Today 10:51 AM
Thoughts on tariff effects on the cyclin...
Today 10:49 AM
Crank arm length
Today 10:47 AM
Have you Ever Tried an Electric Bike?
Yesterday 08:55 AM
Pogačar's 2024 dominance
Yesterday 07:22 AM
What is the best Mountain Bike you've ev...
04-06-2025 08:22 PM
Hello, from Friendly Manitoba
04-06-2025 07:14 PM
braking by reversing the pedals
04-06-2025 02:08 PM
Giant reporting profits are 60% down
04-06-2025 09:50 AM
What was your first bicycle?
04-04-2025 11:07 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
22 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
18 posts
no avatar 3. Jake1
14 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
12 posts
no avatar 5. rydabent
11 posts