Bicycle Mechanics - Yet another threadless headset question...

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Seaners
04-24-04, 01:07 PM
I'm helping a friend of mine assemble a new bike, and as I don't have a headset press. he got the cups put in and a new threadless headset w/stem and forks attached at a LBS. The guy there for some reason didn't put in the star-fangled nut yet, but said he'd do it in a couple of days and that the headset should hold up fine till then. This sounded really kind of dodgy to me but I know and trust the mechanic. Second opinion anyone? I don't know exactly what my friend told him he'd be doing with the bike in the meantime so maybe there's a miscommunication somewhere....

royalflash
04-25-04, 12:46 AM
I am just a hobby/amateur bike builder but seeing as no one else has yet replied:

If you donīt put the star fangled nut in then you wonīt be able to tighten up the headset. Since I donīt know what you friend is doing with the bike it is difficult to say whether this would be dangerous. Just riding carefully on the flat would be unlikely to cause much damage I think in a couple of days. I personally however would NOT advise bumping hard up any kerbs for example because all the force could be directed to one part of the headset bearing and could result in damage o the bearing. It also puts the fork components and frame under more stress.

I guess the mechanic had run out of star nuts but it would be a good idea to fit one as soon as you can.
roadfix
04-25-04, 12:57 AM
If and only after the headset was pre-loaded and the stem clamped down, the star fangled nut serves absolutely no purpose other than to hold the stem cap in place. Your friend's mechanic most likely knows what he's talking about in this situation.

royalflash
04-25-04, 01:19 AM
the best way to decide I think would be to see if their is any play/looseness in the headset- when you apply the front brake and push the bike does the headset wobble in the frame?. Íf the headset does not move then fixer is probably right and they have managed to effectively tighten the headset without using the star nut.
seely
04-25-04, 01:53 AM
The top cap is pretty much backup for the stem clamp bolts... it doesnt do very much except for when your headset loosens up in ensures its not going anywhere.
Don Cook
04-26-04, 12:48 PM
If and only after the headset was pre-loaded and the stem clamped down, the star fangled nut serves absolutely no purpose other than to hold the stem cap in place. Your friend's mechanic most likely knows what he's talking about in this situation.

Listen to Fixer, he's absolutely right!!
Don Cook
04-26-04, 12:49 PM
If and only after the headset was pre-loaded and the stem clamped down, the star fangled nut serves absolutely no purpose other than to hold the stem cap in place. Your friend's mechanic most likely knows what he's talking about in this situation.

Listen to Fixer. He's absolutely right!!