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09-28-04, 10:48 PM
What causes a threaded headset to become pitted or indexed?
I have an old Fisher (evolution-1 1/4") that I built up last winter as a commuter/beater bike. I have less than 1500 miles on the new headset and it needs replacement for safety's sake. It is so pitted that it is hard to turn while riding. Obviously overtightening will cause pitting, but I installed this headset myself and only hand tightened the cup, and then snugged the top nut against it. The headset turned freely. This is the 4th headset that has been in the bike, all replaced for the same reason. Granted, all 4 have been YST alloy headsets, but that is all that I can find to fit, due to the evolution size and the stack height. Are these headsets that cheap that they wear out so quickly? What else could be causing this problem? Would a steel headset help?
I have an old Fisher (evolution-1 1/4") that I built up last winter as a commuter/beater bike. I have less than 1500 miles on the new headset and it needs replacement for safety's sake. It is so pitted that it is hard to turn while riding. Obviously overtightening will cause pitting, but I installed this headset myself and only hand tightened the cup, and then snugged the top nut against it. The headset turned freely. This is the 4th headset that has been in the bike, all replaced for the same reason. Granted, all 4 have been YST alloy headsets, but that is all that I can find to fit, due to the evolution size and the stack height. Are these headsets that cheap that they wear out so quickly? What else could be causing this problem? Would a steel headset help?