Headset Service

[uclown2002]

I have an Allez 2011 triple with:-
Headset:1 1/8" sealed Cr-Mo bearings integrated with headset, 20mm alloy cone spacer with 20mm of spacers

Thinking it might need a service I've been trawling youtube for a suitable video but a little confused as there seem to be a few different headsets.

What type of headset is mine known as?

Can anyone point me to a suitable video link or a useful step by step guide.

I've done as much as I can myself but fruitless without knowing what I have.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Dusty Bin]

It's integrated, the bearings are sealed and there's very little that can be done to service it, short of replacing the bearing units themselves. What's actually wrong with it?

 

[400bhp]

As per Mr Bin. An integrated headset is so easy to replace, the main difficulty is buying the right size.

I'm a "if it aint broke don't fix it" kind of guy, so if it isn't feeling stiff or creaking i would personally leave alone.

 

[Somewhere]

I have an Allez 2011 triple with:-
Headset:1 1/8" sealed Cr-Mo bearings integrated with headset, 20mm alloy cone spacer with 20mm of spacers

Thinking it might need a service I've been trawling youtube for a suitable video but a little confused as there seem to be a few different headsets.

What type of headset is mine known as?

Can anyone point me to a suitable video link or a useful step by step guide.

I've done as much as I can myself but fruitless without knowing what I have.

Thanks for your help.

Simply bearings are a good place to get them from, also from memory I think it's the blue seal ones available form superstar components for £8

 

[uclown2002]

Thanks guys.

Firstly, I'm trying to learn more about bike maintenance and secondly, I'm getting a squeaking when I rotate the bars. It's coming from front of bike but not certain it is the headset so thought I could strip and regrease. Obviously from your comments it seems that wouldn't help.

It has only done 8K miles from new so maybe less likely to be the headset, although I cycle in all weathers.

 

[Somewhere]

Thanks guys.

Firstly, I'm trying to learn more about bike maintenance and secondly, I'm getting a squeaking when I rotate the bars. It's coming from front of bike but not certain it is the headset so thought I could strip and regrease. Obviously from your comments it seems that wouldn't help.

It has only done 8K miles from new so maybe less likely to be the headset, although I cycle in all weathers.

If you cycle in all weather and don't have mudguards then it may well be the headset.

 

[uclown2002]

If you cycle in all weather and don't have mudguards then it may well be the headset.

I've got mudguards.

 

[Cyclist33]

Thanks guys.

Firstly, I'm trying to learn more about bike maintenance and secondly, I'm getting a squeaking when I rotate the bars. It's coming from front of bike but not certain it is the headset so thought I could strip and regrease. Obviously from your comments it seems that wouldn't help.

It has only done 8K miles from new so maybe less likely to be the headset, although I cycle in all weathers.

It isn't that hard and doesn't hurt the bike if you don't bust any of the parts. I found a good video on youtube which I can't find now. But there must be plenty.

All you really have to do is take off the front wheel and front brake from the fork, then undo the stem stuff at the top of the steerer (sorry if this is a "whuh?" moment), while holding onto the underside of the fork crown (the point where the two tines of the fork meet) to make sure it doesn't clatter out. You carefully slide the fork out and with any luck the lower bearings come off on the fork steerer (kinda like quoits on a pole) and the upper bearings stay in the top of the head tube.

Even a doofus like me managed to prise open the seals of the bearings with a little care and attention, and then I cleaned them in some cleaning stuff. Reassembly is as hard as you want to make it but basically the reverse of the above process.

Stu

 

[uclown2002]

I couldn't resist having a look

Anyhoo I stripped the 5mm? hex bolt on brake caliper so guess it'll be going to lbs sometime as it will bug me.

Took the bits out at the top to see that the ball bearings were caged, although one escaped somewhere when I removed it to clean.

These are the bits apart from the caged bearings which I had regreased and refitted minus one ball.

Am I right in thinking that the one on the far right is part of the bearing? I didn't have to prise it loose from the caged balls it lifted off easily. It looks rather pitted to me so do you think I should replace the bearings?

Because of the caliper issue I didn't take the forks out so didn't get a good look at the bottom bearing. but suspect it will be in same condition as top bearing.

Grateful for any advice.

 

[02GF74]

I don't see any bearings there - the right ring loos like an aluminium alloy and will have a tendacny to corrdoe - don't worry about that - it would be steel if it was a bearing race - easy to check with a magnet.

by the way, the missin ball is not critical but you should replace it - halfords or your local lbs will sell bearings - i'd give you one as i am sure i have spare ones but you are too far away.

 

[uclown2002]

I don't see any bearings there - the right ring loos like an aluminium alloy and will have a tendacny to corrdoe - don't worry about that - it would be steel if it was a bearing race - easy to check with a magnet.

by the way, the missin ball is not critical but you should replace it - halfords or your local lbs will sell bearings - i'd give you one as i am sure i have spare ones but you are too far away.

Sorry I had already regreased and fitted the (top) caged bearings

 

[400bhp]

Sorry I had already regreased and fitted the (top) caged bearings

You've only done half of the job.

Take the bottom one off too.

 

[uclown2002]

You've only done half of the job.

Take the bottom one off too.

As I said I've stripped hex bolt on brake caliper

 

[400bhp]

As I said I've stripped hex bolt on brake caliper

You don't need to take the caliper off the forks.

 

[uclown2002]

Maybe not but would have been easier to do the job properly. I'll get that bolt sorted by lbs (as it will bug me) then do a better job.

Might just replace the bearings as squeak is still there and feels stiff!

Might get lbs to advice what bearings I need as it seems not all 11/8 are suitable