Classic & Vintage - Campagnolo BB and headset question.

Hi all,

I'm building myself a bike consisting of Vitus 979 frame and campy SR gruppo. Not having the right tools myself I've taken the frame to a shop (specialist in London UK) to have the headset and BB fitted, on return I've noticed the headset runs a little rough and the cranks do not have quite the same fluidity as similar I have had - slowing down pretty fast after spinning.

Both the components, although purchased on ebay, were nearly as good as new (no obvious signs of wear, no pitting etc.) and I don't doubt they have been fitted properly, so I am wondering if it may be something to do with the grease used?

Previously all such Campy parts I've seen have been packed with a fairly thick opaque light yellow grease whereas this time there appears to have been a thinner, translucent pink looking lube applied (just from residue seen on the parts as I've not opened either up).

When holding the frame and turning the forks you can feel the vibration of the bearings through the frame and there is notable resistance which makes me wonder if it just needs something more substantial in both the bearing cages.

Would be interested to hear what others use to grease these particular components and whether, from what I've described, you'd be concerned.

Thanks.

Sounds as if the shop simply did a cheap job of tightening the bearing races - effectively tightening them too much.

Take it back to the shop (another shop, if you suspect the usual idiot repairmen) and have them loosen the adjustable cup and headset, then, if possible, spin the BB spindle/front forks about while gradually loosening/tighening the BB cup/headset top race with your fingers, to see if there's any notable resistance even when the bearing race is loosened.

If no resistance, headset and BB were tightened a tad too much.

If resistance, something isn't right in there - what, I don't know.

-Kurt

ditto to everything Kurt writes, I'd also add that I've often adjusted bearings to what felt "right" when unloaded and later found them to be too loose when actually under load and in use. Especially true with the large bearings of the BB, and sometimes a HS will "bed in" after you get on the road and effectively loosen up a bit. However, it sounds like your HS is adjusted too tight and I'd go back to the shop and have the mechanic reconsider that or try to convince you he knows best...if he's really a specialist maybe he does.
Grease for bicycles is typically lighter-bodied that what you'd use for cars or industrial applications. The Campy (pricey!) white grease was a very smooth version of white Lithium grease, IIRC. I doubt that even using the heaviest wheel bearing grease will really affect the feel of the bearings, as you describe it. In very cold weather it could possibly thicken up enough to slow things down...

Thanks for the replies. I'll take it back in and see what we can do, I'm sure that wont be a problem, and it's useful now being able to offer a possible cause/solution for them to consider. Cheers.