Headset replacment on a Madone 3 series 2013

[AndyPeace]

As the title suggests, my headset bearings are shot (no surprise if you follow me on strava/instagram) tbf they've lasted 12 month. I was thinking I would get it sorted at the LBS but money is tight. I thought that I'd need an expensive tool to do this, as the bearings are press-fit but then I came across this http://www.trekbikes.com/pdf/owners_manuals/TK10_Madoneservice_062309.pdf
Does anyone know if this manual applies to latter models, as it states 2010 on the document? It says the bearings (both headset and BB) are a slip fit design and are pretty much tool free to install.

 

[jack smith]

You can just use your hands

 

[jack smith]

As with pretty much all bike forks as far as i know or atleast all the ones ive worked on/ enquired about when thinking of potential builds

 

[AndyPeace]

Not sure you've understood me, or if I've asked the right question @jack smith
Headset Standards Summary
The various headset standards are outlined in the table below. An "interference fit" is also called a "press fit", where the headtube is smaller than the cup/bearing. The cup is pressed into the headtube with force. A "slip fit" allows the bearing to be installed and removed by hand, with no pressing required. In a slip fit, the outside diameter (OD) of the bearing is smaller than the inside diameter (ID) of the frame.

What I'm asking is how do I know what type of 'fit' my headset has... press-fit or slip-fit? Also the same regarding the BB, is this press-fit or slip fit. There will be no way to install a press-fit bearing just using hands?

 

[Jason.T]

I'm no expert by any means and only started learning about servicing and maintains bikes and my little knowledge is based mainly on my own bike

I'm sure to be corrected if I'm wrong but I wouldn't of thought that your bearings them selves would be pressed into your headset, the cups would be pressed in yes but not the bearings

Undo your stem bolt (centre of your stem) them undo the bolts holding your stem

Lift off your stem and handlebars (they will come off together)

Lift off your spacers and the last bigger cap/spacer ( unsure of the name for this)

Either realese the brake cable or take off the whole caliper and your forks will be free to drop out (May take a bet of a tap at the top with a rubber mallet or alike)

You will then have a number of seals etc take these out and remember the order you take them out

The top bearing will be there free to pull out with your fingers

The bottom will probably be on the forks as you pull them out if not then they will be underneath

Sounds a lot and complicated but it's litarelly a 2-3 minute job

Bottom bracket bearings will be pressed in but again I very much doubt the headset bearings would be

But as I say I'm no expert so hope this helps you out a bit

 

[AndyPeace]

Thanks @Jason.T There are no cups to speak of, it is an integrated headset. the cartridges which I will need to replace are the cups as well, hense I am thinking they'd be press fitted. In my OP I linked to a trek document, which also stated that the BB is slip fit(i.e. can be serviced without needing a press tool)...yet when I bought the bike the mechanic said that all the bearings were press-fitted. Starting to realise old style mechanics suits me much better, lol

 

[Jason.T]

Ok so it looks like you will need a tool to press them into the frame, you will never press them in by hand

I made my own bearing press for a few quid for my bottom bracket, the same idea can be used for your headset

All you need is a threaded bar a couple of nuts and some washers the same size as the bearings ( your bottom bearing is probably larger then the top)

If the bearings sit proud of the frame the washers can be slightly larger as there is no danger of the washers getting stuck in the frame but if the bearings go all the way in get some washers that are a fraction smaller than the bearings

Here is the one I made for about £6

 

[Jason.T]

But if your not confident I would advise taking to to your LBS can't see them charging much just to do the headset bearings

 

[AndyPeace]

Ok so it looks like you will need a tool to press them into the frame, you will never press them in by hand

I made my own bearing press for a few quid for my bottom bracket, the same idea can be used for your headset

All you need is a threaded bar a couple of nuts and some washers the same size as the bearings ( your bottom bearing is probably larger then the top)

If the bearings sit proud of the frame the washers can be slightly larger as there is no danger of the washers getting stuck in the frame but if the bearings go all the way in get some washers that are a fraction smaller than the bearings

Here is the one I made for about £6

?? I don't think you read my post!!! I'm asking wether youve experince with SLIP FIT bearings, not press fit..the Trek document I linked to in the OP, in it's illustrated description of how to install the bearings states not to use a press, this is why I am asking questions. The maintence of this bike, if that document is correct is especailly easy. what I'm trying to find is an answer to my OP is the 2010 madone model the same as the 2013? If you read the Trek document it has instructions on how to change the bearings.

 

[Jason.T]

Sorry I did read your post but I obviously miss understood your question

I wouldn't have a clue to be honest if the 2010 and the 2013 are the same

But it's easy enough to find out by simply dropping out the forks as I posted last night and if your able to remove the bearings easily then that will probably answer your question

 

[ridingaround]

?? I don't think you read my post!!! I'm asking wether youve experince with SLIP FIT bearings, not press fit..the Trek document I linked to in the OP, in it's illustrated description of how to install the bearings states not to use a press, this is why I am asking questions. The maintence of this bike, if that document is correct is especailly easy. what I'm trying to find is an answer to my OP is the 2010 madone model the same as the 2013? If you read the Trek document it has instructions on how to change the bearings.

Curious, did you ever figure it out? Press or Slip?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

It is an integrated headset which means there are no cups, the frame is the cups. The bearings simply slip into the cups. You need two fingers to replace them, that's all.
Integrated headsets are all very well at first, but the frame is a wear part, so make sure you adjust the bearings properly otherwise you have play between frame and bearing and the head tube ovalises from the shifting bearing.

Short answer: Slip Fit.