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03-10-08, 11:18 AM
Hi all,
I recently replaced my headset bearing races with some I bought from a local bike shop for about £4. Not sure of the different types available - I have a couple of years old marin point reyes tih original forks/headset etc - the type of bearings in there originally/that I bought as replacement are simply a small bearing retainer I think it is called which holds the bearings in place... (Hope that makes sense).
Anyway I took the old ones out, thoroughly greased the new ones and put them in place of the original ones, put the forks back through the headset, positioned the stem, then: tightened the (I think it is called) adjusting bolt until there was some resistance to turning, then tightened the stem to the tube to which the forks are connected...
Theat was fine - rode for about 20 miles until just now - started feeling very strange, walked home with bike, took the forks out of the headset to find the bottom bearing race was buckled, and a couple of the bearings were missing. I am wondering what could have caused this? At the moment I suspect it was either the adjusting bolt was too tight, or the bearing races were of low quality..
What does anyone think? Can they suggest any good quality bearing races?
Thanks in advance - hope the description above is clear, will clarify if necessary!
Cheers
Ron
edit - I have taken apart/cleaned/regreased old bearing several times (they finally needed replacing really) and didn't tighten adjusting bolt etc any tighter than I normally have done...
I recently replaced my headset bearing races with some I bought from a local bike shop for about £4. Not sure of the different types available - I have a couple of years old marin point reyes tih original forks/headset etc - the type of bearings in there originally/that I bought as replacement are simply a small bearing retainer I think it is called which holds the bearings in place... (Hope that makes sense).
Anyway I took the old ones out, thoroughly greased the new ones and put them in place of the original ones, put the forks back through the headset, positioned the stem, then: tightened the (I think it is called) adjusting bolt until there was some resistance to turning, then tightened the stem to the tube to which the forks are connected...
Theat was fine - rode for about 20 miles until just now - started feeling very strange, walked home with bike, took the forks out of the headset to find the bottom bearing race was buckled, and a couple of the bearings were missing. I am wondering what could have caused this? At the moment I suspect it was either the adjusting bolt was too tight, or the bearing races were of low quality..
What does anyone think? Can they suggest any good quality bearing races?
Thanks in advance - hope the description above is clear, will clarify if necessary!
Cheers
Ron
edit - I have taken apart/cleaned/regreased old bearing several times (they finally needed replacing really) and didn't tighten adjusting bolt etc any tighter than I normally have done...