Bicycle Mechanics - too tight headset?

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Msngr

12-26-04, 09:08 PM

in a nutshell: when is a headset too tight?

i have a threaded headset that i tightened (four or five months ago) to such a degree that the bars don't swing around when i lift the bike up to lock it, etc. initially, this was just a mistake i made, but i found that i liked it. it makes locking up and transporting the bike lots easier and i can still turn the bars without noticing the tightness.

so, am i doing something bad to my bike?

sch

12-26-04, 10:08 PM

Main drawback is decreased ability to ride "no hands". Bearings that are too tight,
whatever that means on bicycle headset, tend to wear faster but headsets last a
loong time. Steve

phantomcow2

12-27-04, 12:22 PM

Yea it will increase wear if your putting more pressure on your bearings but they do last a long time. My dads road bike is 25 years old and still going with that same old headset

Msngr

12-27-04, 04:07 PM

thanks. i guess i'm not all that worried about wear on the headset --the amount of wear i put on the rest of the bike. . .