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To Those with Wrench Experience, headset question

morpheusmorpheus
in General Training Discussions

 have noticed some slight rust (?) oozing out around my headset.  steering is still good, no grinding noticed at all, range of motion the same.  Will try to make it to the off season with what I have.  Then switch over to the road bike.  I'll attempt to clean the headset when I put new cables/housing on after the race but I kow that I may need to get a new headset, period.  

What do you recommend?  What am I looking for in a good headset?  Don't need the best of the best, but def want 'very good' and race worthy.  06 Cervelo P2sl, 1 1/8" (I think).

 

Thanks,

Chris

Comments

  • manconamancona
    To me the headset just doesn't matter that much as pretty much any quality one will work the same. I would buy the cheapest name brand headset with sealed bearings you can find. Full Speed Ahead (FSA), Ritchey, Aheadset, and Cane Creek are the major brands I have had them all. Jus tmake sure you get the right type and size.

    The only reason I personally see to go with a specific model or more expensive one is if you are a weight weenie, need a low stack height or want carbon fiber....otherwise you wont notice the difference.
  • talltimtalltim
    @ Chris, I agree with Matt. My N=1 is essentially the same as his ... but definitely get it fixed before it gets any worse. Esp if you have a metal stem, be prepared to need to replace that as well, since the corrosion may have spread. I would be VERY careful about racing or training on a bike with a bad headset. You could well find yourself having an unplanned dismout from the aero position when your stem breaks or steerer tube disconnects from the fork (ouch!)

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough

    I haven't had any head set problems, but I'll vouch for Tim that corrosion is bad. My steering started to go south this summer. I even stopped several times during a ride to check the front end. I took it to the LBS and one of the stem attaching loops was cracked clean through, and there was a good size stress fracture along the other side. I was lucky the stem didn't crack off hitting a bump. It was purely due to corrosion from me sweating buckets all over the front end of my bike.

  • kjanracingkjanracing
    Can you post a picture?
  • morpheusmorpheus
    @Matt - good to hear, I won't short on quality or reputation, but I'm not throwing away $ for a headset made of Atomanthium. I assume that 'type of headset' means threaded vs threadless. It's threadless.

    @Tim & Paul - I have examined it SO close, scrutinized it (eyes/ears/touch). I see nothing to lead me to believe its that bad. I know, famous last words. If I have some time this weekend, I'll take it apart carefully and look at the insides, clean it up.

    @Kurt - I'll get a pic out maybe Friday, not much to see though. Evidence is basically some watered down rust stain (a few drops if you're CSI) coming out of the seam between the head tube and the headset.

    I'm getting a feeling that I'll be getting a new headset sooner rather than later....blah.
  • manconamancona
    There is more to the type... you fore sure need threadless, liek 1 1/8" or 1", but if it is an internal headset you need to make sure you get the right bearings. Typically bike manufactures use a common standard bearing size, but everyone once in a while they use something non standard. You may want to just serach on line to make sure you find exactly what you need, or post to the cervelo forums, or visit a cervelo dealer to be safe.
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    Posted By Chris Hardbeck on 07 Sep 2011 03:09 PM

    ...

    What do you recommend?  What am I looking for in a good headset?  Don't need the best of the best, but def want 'very good' and race worthy.  06 Cervelo P2sl, 1 1/8" (I think).

     

    Thanks,

    Chris



    I had a few years of multiple headset frustrations, and eventually went with a Cane Creek 110.  Guaranteed for 110 years.   In answer to your question about what are you looking for in a good headset, I think it's to have it installed, and then to never ever think about it again. 

    My biases would be to the CC110 or a Chris King set.  Might be overkill, but so are 99% of the other parts on most tri bikes! 

  • morpheusmorpheus

    Thanks for the help guys.  Glad I looked into the specs.  1" internal headset, Cane Creek or FSA recomended by Cervelo.



    C

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