Assembling my bike now, need advice

[DaShen]

I am beginning to assemble my bike now. I have most of the things installed, but I noticed the fork cartidge-bearing headset is not very smooth. I believe it is the ball-bearings.

My question is, is there any way to clean and fix the bearings? Or do I have to invest in another headset? Also, if I have to invest in another headset, what would you recommend (I don't want anything overly heavy, but I don't care if it is extremely light either -- durability and ride feel is more important)? Any ideas?

My fork is full carbon btw, even near the headset, so clamping tension is key as well.

 

[Fausto]

"not smooth" as in it feels kinda notchy? If so, the races may be pitted and you'll need a new one.

Chris King sets are $, but they have a lifetime warranty and are butter-smooth.

Headsets pretty much all weigh about the same, so weight's not much of an issue and clamping tension is a stem thing, not a headset thing.

 

[DaShen]

races? you mean the washer cups between the fork and the frame?

I saw one of the Chris Kings... it was going for $125. Kind of pricey, and not all that light either. 😛
But you said it is the most durable one and smoothest?

 

[leftyman]

this made me think of when Homer put together Bart's bike in the fighting robots episode.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: DaShen
races? you mean the washer cups between the fork and the frame?

I saw one of the Chris Kings... it was going for $125. Kind of pricey, and not all that light either. 😛
But you said it is the most durable one and smoothest?

no the races are the bit where the ball bearings sit....and when they roll, the roll round this "race" it keeps them inline.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer

Originally posted by: DaShen
races? you mean the washer cups between the fork and the frame?

I saw one of the Chris Kings... it was going for $125. Kind of pricey, and not all that light either. 😛
But you said it is the most durable one and smoothest?

no the races are the bit where the ball bearings sit....and when they roll, the roll round this "race" it keeps them inline.

Yep. There's one on the very bottom of the steerer tube and another sitting in the top of the head tube. The lower one usually dies first as it's subjected to more stress and dirt.

 

[Brutuskend]

If they are ball bearings I recommend loose packing them. GET RID of the retainers and just put in loose balls.

Also, take the frame to a shop and have the head tube milled so that the surfaces are square with one another! They call this "facing".

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
If they are ball bearings I recommend loose packing them. GET RID of the retainers and just put in loose balls.

Also, take the frame to a shop and have the head tube milled so that the surfaces are square with one another! They call this "facing".

Also known as "a messy pain in the ass usually resulting in small, painful metal flakes becoming lodged in your hands" 😛

edit- and I'd just get a cartridge headset and be done with it. They're just a lot easier to deal with that the loose bearing versions.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: Fausto

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
If they are ball bearings I recommend loose packing them. GET RID of the retainers and just put in loose balls.

Also, take the frame to a shop and have the head tube milled so that the surfaces are square with one another! They call this "facing".

Also known as "a messy pain in the ass usually resulting in small, painful metal flakes becoming lodged in your hands" 😛

edit- and I'd just get a cartridge headset and be done with it. They're just a lot easier to deal with that the loose bearing versions.

Yeah, that is what I am figuring. Anyone have a headset Chris King or Cane Creek headset they recommend? A website would be helpful as well.

Has anyone heard if this is any good?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I use Kings on all my bikes (other than one I bought used, which came with an old Campy Contax). They're kind of a no-brainer IMO, because they'll outlive the frame, and infinite numbers of loose-ball headsets. Don't waste your money on the ti one, which is heavier and offers no meaningful advantage in durability.

 

[ThaPerculator]

Do you ever do any sweet jumps???

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: ThaPerculator
Do you ever do any sweet jumps???

I don't MTB bike anymore. 😉 Not enough places in Houston. Plus, it can get pretty extreme. I might try it again if someone knows some good spots, but I don't have a mountain bike anymore, so I would have to invest in another one. $$$

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: DonVito
I use Kings on all my bikes (other than one I bought used, which came with an old Campy Contax). They're kind of a no-brainer IMO, because they'll outlive the frame, and infinite numbers of loose-ball headsets. Don't waste your money on the ti one, which is heavier and offers no meaningful advantage in durability.

Chris King

So is this my best bet on a new headset?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: DaShen

So is this my best bet on a new headset?

Yep. FYI, Cambria is having a sale where all parts and accessories are 20% off. I doubt you'll do better on a King HS (they're essentially never sold at a discount).