Specilized secteur head set ball bearing size?

[phil_hg_uk]

I went into the local Specialized Concept store and had a word with the mechanic there and he says that it isn't a problem to change over to cartridge bearings and when it needs doing if I pop it in they have all the tools to do it no problem.

 

[Leaway2]

Specialized Concept store

Great for those that live near one. I agree with @accountantpete " there is very little justifiable reason not to use a standard headset"
Parts unavailable for a 3 year old bike is poor.

 

[Brandane]

Oh yes, but its a fag and not without risk of damaging the frame, drifting out the ball race cups.
I don't think I should have to be doing this on a 2010 bike.

I did this on both my Secteur and Tricross, and the races came out quite easily. A hammer and a metal rod, about a foot long should do it. I used the rod from a broken bath sealant gun. A few gentle taps, working your way round the race, and out it comes. I replaced the primitive arrangement with sealed bearings. Now if only it was so easy to do on my Honda motorbike, which also needs doing .

 

[Leaway2]

I did this on both my Secteur and Tricross, and the races came out quite easily. A hammer and a metal rod, about a foot long should do it. I used the rod from a broken bath sealant gun. A few gentle taps, working your way round the race, and out it comes. I replaced the primitive arrangement with sealed bearings.

Thanks @Brandane, that gives me some confidence if I decide to do it. Can you remember what bearings you fitted?
Also when I ran my finger round the bottom of the top cup, it appeared to be sloped/angled. Did the whole lot come out leaving the inside wall of the frame smooth/flat?

 

[Brandane]

Thanks @Brandane, that gives me some confidence if I decide to do it. Can you remember what bearings you fitted?
Also when I ran my finger round the bottom of the top cup, it appeared to be sloped/angled. Did the whole lot come out leaving the inside wall of the frame smooth/flat?

Sorry; can't remember what size the sealed bearings were. I just went into the LBS where I had bought the bike from, and they had them in stock.
Yes, the inside of the head tube was smooth and flat after the old races were removed. Not sure what you mean about the sloped/angled bit. The races (or sealed bearings) should be a flush fit with the indent on the inside of the steering head tube.

 

[Leaway2]

Sorry; can't remember what size the sealed bearings were. I just went into the LBS where I had bought the bike from, and they had them in stock.
Yes, the inside of the head tube was smooth and flat after the old races were removed. Not sure what you mean about the sloped/angled bit. The races (or sealed bearings) should be a flush fit with the indent on the inside of the steering head tube.

If the whole lot came out that's OK. It just felt as thought the lower side was sloped, and I wondered if that was a "stop" for the bearing to rest on. What stops the bearing sliding down the tube to the bottom?

 

[Brandane]

If the whole lot came out that's OK. It just felt as thought the lower side was sloped, and I wondered if that was a "stop" for the bearing to rest on. What stops the bearing sliding down the tube to the bottom?

IIRC without taking mine apart, there is some sort of collar built into the head tube to keep the bearings in place, same thing which the races stop against with the standard set up.

 

[Leaway2]

IIRC without taking mine apart, there is some sort of collar built into the head tube to keep the bearings in place, same thing which the races stop against with the standard set up.

Yes that is probably the slope that I could feel. I just need to work out where that stops and the cup starts.

Thanks for everybody's input on this.

 

[Leaway2]

Update. I had replaced the bearings and re-greased. I noticed some noise from the headset so stripped it down this weekend and it looks in pretty poor state, so I decided to have a go at replacing the cups with a new mindset. Well I hammered on the thing for about 30mins and I don't think it budged a mm.
I admitted defeat and took it to Edinburgh cycles. My intention was for them to press out the bearing cups only, but then I thought, sod it I will let them fit it also. It should be ready Saturday.