wrighty75

Hi, I've been riding my Spec Allez for 3 years now. To be honest the headset has never really felt smooth since I had it from new.
I thought I'd start start doing some maitenance myself and the headset was on my list along with new chain rings + chain.
I had a look on you-tube and it all seem pretty simple "knock out forks, change bearings" right?
I knocked out forks and bearings flew all over the place. Headset was a bit of a mess!!! the bearings were corroded and pitted along with the rings. What sort of crazy design is this?
the question is... Can I upgrade to intergrated bearings like Cane Creek? if so do you know which ones.
I hear Specialized headsets are a bit awkward. I am really having trouble finding any information on it, but there must be loads of people who have upgraded this poor design?
All info will be very much appreciated.

cale

If it were my bike, I'd knock out the old headset and pay a LBS to install a Crane Creek or similar. When my Specialized Allez Elite frame cracked at the headtube, I thought I might be able to salvage the headset but it was badly pitted and corroded. The new frame got a new headset which I installed myself but would have been done better by a shop.

CerveloMad

Just a quick follow up to this old post from the OP and maybe of some help to others searching for details on the Specialized Allez headset. I just upgraded a 2009 Specialized 1 1/8" headset from the original caged ball bearing type that the OP commented on, which was also rusted and pitted, to Cane Creek cartridge sealed bearings. The bearing set was S2-S3-ZS2-IS2, which slotted in by hand after knocking the original sets out. This is the alternative bearing to the standard VP MH-P03K bearing fitted by Specialized. See the following guide. https://service.specialized.com/colla...lity-Guide.pdf