islenska

so the lbs did a crap job when they installed my new headset and they just left the old starnut in there instead of replacing it w/the new one. but the old starnut is stripped and broken, so its not doing anything anyway.

my question is, is it safe to ride without a starnut, top bolt and stem cap?

obviously i realize that i could cut myself on the opening in the event of a fall, but assuming everything else is tight and in order, nothing is going to fall apart, right?

LóFarkas

I think it should be a-ok short term. The cap only helps set up the headset. If you can dial in the headset without it, it'll work fine.

sydney

So how are you adjusting the HS without a functioning starnut in there?

HillRider

I'm always surprised by how many star nuts are reported as stripped and/or broken. What are you guys doing to them? The demands on them aren't, or shouldn't be, that high.

Anyway, seconding Sydney's question, how did you adjust the headset with out one?

The usual fix in these situations is to drive the broken star nut further down into the steerer until it's out of the way and install a new one on top of it to the proper depth.

islenska

first of all, i didn't do anything to it. the lbs did. and i guess i'm not sure exactly what you mean by "adjust the headset,"....isn't the only purpose of the top bolt and starnut to apply vertical pressure on the bearings and align everything properly? assuming the bearings are seated correctly and the stem is fastened tightly to the steerer tube, is there any further adjustment necessary?

HillRider

isn't the only purpose of the top bolt and starnut to apply vertical pressure on the bearings and align everything properly?

Right, so how did you do it? I guess you just leaned on the frame to apply vertical force and then tightened the stem bolts. I suppose that will work but doesn't give a lot of control. A new star nut is so cheap, why not do it right?

CChaves

Plus, they're easy to install if you dont have confidence in your shop to do it.

islenska

well i didnt adjust it originally either. i'm guessing that they stripped the starnut after they adjusted it initially, but i see your point. of course i will replace it, but it mat be a couple days...just wanted to know if i could ride in the meantime.

capwater

What a waste of bandwidth. They hosed up your install, take it back to them and have it squared away. End of thread.

Rincewind8

Since even bike-genius Sheldon Brown has at least two bikes without the starnut, I would guess it is ok.

https://www.sheldonbrown.org/thorn/

https://www.sheldonbrown.org/iro/584/pages/08.htm

CBolt

The star nut doesn't align anything. It adjusts the how tight the bearing is. After the stem is clampd down you can take out the top cap and bolt, although there isn't much reason to. Look here https://sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html under "Threadless Without Spacers" This will tell how to adjust it without the star nut.

Raiyn

Why cut and paste? Use this instead. That way we know who you're responding to.
You need to take note of HOW he accomplished it without the starnut rather than the fact that he did it.

supcom

I'd sure like to know how a star nut gets stripped. Seems like you would have to work pretty hard to do it.

Pocorider

The first time I ever tried to adjust my headset, I thought I had to tighten the top bolt as tight as it would go so it wouldnt come loose. LOL. Hence stripped the starnut. These guys are probably doing the same thing. Rookie mistakes, Im very thankful for Park Tool.

HillRider

After that, how long did the headset bearings last?

islenska

whatever, tool boy

sydney

^^^...He is right ya know. Case closed.