Giant Headset

[martint235]

Does anyone know anything about Giant headsets? The one on my Giant SCR is rocking ever so slightly, I asked Evans to have a look at it whilst they were building a new front wheel for me. They said they've had a look and that its ok. They also said that Giant use internal headsets (???). Aren't all headsets internal? Is there something different about a Giant one?

Might take it to my LBS once I have some time off work.

 

[PpPete]

There is a lot of information on the many different types of headsets on the Park Tools website.

 

[accountantpete]

Undo the top cap slightly, loosen the bolts attaching the stem to the steerer and then tighten up the top cap until the play disappears but the steering is still smooth.Then tighten up the stem bolts and job done.

 

[martint235]

Undo the top cap slightly, loosen the bolts attaching the stem to the steerer and then tighten up the top cap until the play disappears but the steering is still smooth.Then tighten up the stem bolts and job done.

Ok I'll give it another go. I think I may have tightened stuff up in the wrong order last time. There does appear to be two different "sets" of instructions on t'internet that oppose each other on the order to tighten stuff up.

Thinking logically about, your way makes sense.

Thanks

 

[John the Monkey]

Not internal, INTEGRATED.

It means that the bearing cups are part of the frame, not separate parts pressed into the head tube.

The key to adjusting headsets is to remember that the top cap preloads the bearings - it's the stem pinch bolts that actually keep things in place.

 

[martint235]

Not internal, INTEGRATED.

It means that the bearing cups are part of the frame, not separate parts pressed into the head tube.

The key to adjusting headsets is to remember that the top cap preloads the bearings - it's the stem pinch bolts that actually keep things in place.

Should I need to replace it then does this mean I need to buy a special headset or do I just get a normal one and ditch two of the cups?

 

[John the Monkey]

Should I need to replace it then does this mean I need to buy a special headset or do I just get a normal one and ditch two of the cups?

You can replace the bearings - not sure about the races. The cups are a part of the frame though.

FWIW, my SCR has done getting on for 5,000 miles, and (touchwood) the headset still seems ok.

 

[martint235]

You can replace the bearings - not sure about the races. The cups are a part of the frame though.

FWIW, my SCR has done getting on for 5,000 miles, and (touchwood) the headset still seems ok.

Thanks.

I think mine is probably just loose rather than damaged. The frame has done around 2000 miles, the rest of the headset has done just over 6,000 miles at a guess (broken frame is why the figures are different).

I'll have another play with it tonight. I can tell I'm going to have to start being brave as far as the bike is concerned and just get used to taking it apart to see how it works!

 

[John the Monkey]

Aheadset type headsets are pretty simple really - if you do dismantle it, just be careful to note the order the parts were in, and their orientation.

As long as you sort the "knocking" the headset should still have life in it.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Ah. I remember wondering about how the "internal headset" in my Giant xtc was different to other headsets. Chris King has quite an interesting article on the subject for those interested, and illustrated how advances in the industry was not always progress.

 

[raindog]

Chris King has quite an interesting article on the subject for those interested, and illustrated how advances in the industry was not always progress.

Thanks for that. I've been wondering about this for a while now. So anybody who has an "integrated" head set can chuck their frame away when the "cups" get worn?
Great.

 

[martint235]

OK I seemed to have managed to tighten it, will see how it goes.

However I took the clamp off and the top cap and I kind of expected the wheel and fork to fall out but it didn't. Gave it a bit of a whack, still no movement. Is there something else I need to undo? The spacers don't move either.

 

[John the Monkey]

Thanks for that. I've been wondering about this for a while now. So anybody who has an "integrated" head set can chuck their frame away when the "cups" get worn?

I think the life of an Alu frame is fairly short (in comparison to steel at least) anyway. I'd anticipate replacing the frame of my SCR before the cups have chance to get worn, tbh.

But yes, I agree that the integrated headset is not a very good idea - hindsight eh?

 

[accountantpete]

Thanks for that. I've been wondering about this for a while now. So anybody who has an "integrated" head set can chuck their frame away when the "cups" get worn?
Great.

As long as the headset is kept clean and greased the integrated headsets will last as long as the frame -although I suppose in off-road bikes which get a bit more punishment in this area it could be an issue.

 

[accountantpete]

OK I seemed to have managed to tighten it, will see how it goes.

However I took the clamp off and the top cap and I kind of expected the wheel and fork to fall out but it didn't. Gave it a bit of a whack, still no movement. Is there something else I need to undo? The spacers don't move either.

The spacers should fit loosely around the steerer and the forks should drop out with a bit of mild persuasion.

If the forks are now ok I'd leave them until a quiet day in the winter and then take them apart and re-grease the whole lot.