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

New: Take part in the September Giveaway for 29" Giordano® Intrepid Mountain Bike valued at $659


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
Sepp Kuss wins Vuelta 2023
Today 05:02 PM
Glad to be here
Today 04:53 PM
SHIMANO Reamed by US Authorities for sel...
Today 02:01 PM
e-moped offerings.
Today 11:51 AM
How to refurbish a bicycle 101
Today 10:48 AM
Reasons to buy aluminium not carbon bike...
Yesterday 04:25 AM
Why Are So Many Mountain Bikes Going To ...
Yesterday 04:18 AM
Broken Kids Bike need help.
09-22-2023 06:57 PM
1987 Specialized Stumpjumper
09-22-2023 07:25 AM
Colnago restoration
09-22-2023 05:47 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. ichitan
45 posts
no avatar 2. ReapThaWhirlwind
16 posts
no avatar 3. Painkiller
13 posts
no avatar 4. Talha
13 posts
no avatar 5. enkei
12 posts