Sealed bearing headset binding
 

I switched from a loose ball to sealed bearing headset (Nashbar, 1" threaded) and something doesn't feel right. Its very smooth and it tracks fine when I ride it with no hands, but there seems to be just the slightest amount of sticking or resistance when I go to make a fast turn. Its not the index type sticking from damaged BB headsets, just a slight resistance to turning.

I've adjusted the headset so there is no play, but if I were to back off the adjustment nut 30 degrees or so, I would feel some play.

Am I doing something wrong?

Good point. I painted the frame and just had the headtube and fork crown faced. Wonder if the mechanic messed up?

Pretty hard to mess that up if the proper tool is being used.

Maybe the bearing mounts (cups for loose balls) aren't seated completely.

Well, the problem was machanical failure. As a mechanic, I was a failure.

I took it apart, measured the parralelism between the cups, which was fine so it wasn't the LBS milling job on the headtube that was causing the binding.

I examined the upper and lower sealed bearings and they looked to be identical, so I swapped top to bottom. Apparently they are not identical and now that the bearings are in the right place, the headset works like a dream.

Oh well, live and learn.

I'd be interested to learn if there really is any difference between those bearings (do they have different part #s?) or if Arnie has struck yet again...

I looked at them pretty closely, and I couldn't see a difference, but when I switched them, the space between the adjustable race and the top cup was different, so I guess I'm assuming they are different.

Who is Arnie?