fork and headset questions.

[Banjo]

If your steering is smooth is there any point servicing the headset ? Bikes in question are about 5 year old and have done lots of miles in all weathers.

Secondly what does "integrated" mean in relation to a road bike fork?

 

[martint235]

If your steering is smooth is there any point servicing the headset ? Bikes in question are about 5 year old and have done lots of miles in all weathers.

Secondly what does "integrated" mean in relation to a road bike fork?

Always worth just giving them a quick clean out every once in a while but if there's no roughness or movement I wouldn't obsess about it.

Not sure about integrated regarding the forks, integrated regarding the headset means that the cups are actually part of the headtube. My Giant used to have this setup. (I'd link a picture but that's tricky at work)

 

[Globalti]

If the bearing is smooth, leave alone.

 

[Amanda P]

Headsets can be tricky things, especially if there are loose ball bearings. And by and large, because they don't rotate much, they don't get a very hard life, so if it's not giving any trouble, I should leave it alone.

Yes, integrated headsets are those where the bearing races are hidden inside the frame.

 

[ayceejay]

The first two illustrations show an integrated headset (note split in bottom piece) and the third shows a Tange headset which was commonly used in older bikes.

 

[Banjo]

Thanks for the replies. My Scott has an integrated headset .I have an Audax ride to do later this month so may leave it for now.

 

[Blue Hills]

View attachment 37584 View attachment 37586 View attachment 37585
The first two illustrations show an integrated headset (note split in bottom piece) and the third shows a Tange headset which was commonly used in older bikes.

Thumbs up for the Tange headset pictured - bomb proof.
Thumbs down for my Dahon's semi integrated headset - a disgrace.

 

[Dan B]

because they don't rotate much, they don't get a very hard life, so if it's not giving any trouble, I should leave it alone.

I agree with the conclusion but for the opposite reason. Bearings are designed to rotate, but instead we're putting serious forces and impacts though them while barely giving them a chance for the balls to move around the race. Deformation, brinelling, ...

If it aint broke, don't fix it.

 

[lpretro1]

Have to disagree with those that say leave it alone - as has been said above an integrated headset means the bearing seats are part of the frame. If not kept greased regularly then any wear that occurs means you are wearing the frame - you also run the risk of the outer shell of the cartridge bearing corroding to the seat and it can them be very tricky to get them out. We have seen this in our workshop regularly. So regularly take the thing to bits, clean it all out and put some fresh grease in there - remember once that seat is worn you have to throw the frame away!!!

 

[Blue Hills]

[quote="So regularly take the thing to bits, clean it all out and put some fresh grease in there - remember once that seat is worn you have to throw the frame away!!![/quote]

Interesting to have this confirmed by someone at the sharp end - the best argument against integrated headsets I've ever heard. Someone in the industry (someone will be along to tell me who) used to argue strongly against them but I think was dismissed as a bit of an alarmist.

I'm not that technical but I think my Dahon headset is classed as semi integrated - it has cups pushed into the frame.

My Tange headset WAS left alone for well over 10 years. Eventually I took a look, swapped the caged bearings for about £3.50, put it all back together. All fine. Pretty much the entire thing is steel of some sort I think.