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

New: Take Part in the October Giveaway to Win the Qiolor TIGER Retro Electric Bike


Non-threaded headset maintenance
#1
My trusty road bike is approaching 6000 miles on it. Not much replaced due to good routine maintenance I've been doing.

Would non-threaded headsets need maintenance though? Couldn't find much information, but I haven't looked deep. Thought I'd invoke the brain trust here.

Occasionally I'll wipe away grease that escapes to the outside of the frame. Not much comes out, maybe wiping once or twice a year.

The headset is sort of loose, in that the wheel turns very easily. I don't feel any play in it, nor any rough spots while the wheel is spinning and the wheel turned while lifted off of the ground. This ease of turning is not a problem generally, assuming I keep at least one hand on the handlebars.

I'm wondering if it's time to drop off at my LBS for a tear down and bearing replacement. Thoughts?

Thanks

AndrewB
  Reply
#2
Well, in general all bearings should be inspected for wear and greased in regular intervals (when possible). That includes the headset. If it is maintained well you will not need to replace anything too often, as with all bike parts.

Check e.g. http://bikeride.com/overhaul-threaded-headset/ for the general idea and http://bikeride.com/adjust-threadless-headset/ for the setup. If you once understood how to setup a cup and cone bearing everything should easy. I personally find threadless headsets to be (slightly) easier to setup than the old style threaded ones. That reminds me: I should do the inspection on my road bike while we have rain-and-mud-cyclecross-season here, spring will come.
  Reply
#3
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/threadless-headset-service

First part of this article should help you out figure what to do...

Good luck!
  Reply
#4
Ahhhh! Thank you for the links. I will check them out!

And Joe, you are thinking like me. With some potential upcoming rains in the central California area, I'm considering dropping my bike off at the local store.


AndrewB
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Schwinn trike NOISE
Today 05:20 PM
Schwinn meridian rear drive axle
Today 04:36 PM
What was your first bicycle?
Yesterday 04:11 PM
Great UK Cycle Camping Map, For E-Bikes,...
Yesterday 05:38 AM
Charging at campground
Yesterday 05:33 AM
Failure to stop at stop sign means $500 ...
Yesterday 05:27 AM
Bicycle enthusiast located in California
Yesterday 04:15 AM
Moving in Style: Beyond Regular Transpor...
Yesterday 01:29 AM
Do you plan or random ride your MTB ride...
11-02-2024 11:43 AM
Cycling is Anti-Aging, But There's a Cat...
11-02-2024 11:36 AM

[-]
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. Jesper
18 posts
no avatar 2. enkei
18 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
13 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
12 posts
no avatar 5. Talha
10 posts