Headset questions for new bike build
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Headset questions for new bike build
I'm planning to build a new bike for century/light-touring duties based on a Surly Cross Check frame. I've got most of the components worked out except for the headset for which the whole subject is a bit murky to me. So, a few questions...
1. Do I need press-fit or drop-in for this frame?
2. I've had a good experience with Ritchey components on my road bike so is their Pro Cross headset a good choice? Others?
3. I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I've done most of my own wrenching over the last couple of years. I feel comfortable installing all components except the headset. I've looked at repair books and the repair sites, but I don't really know if I should attempt this or not. Is this an area best left to the LBS or is this something I can learn and do?
Thanks
1. Do I need press-fit or drop-in for this frame?
2. I've had a good experience with Ritchey components on my road bike so is their Pro Cross headset a good choice? Others?
3. I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I've done most of my own wrenching over the last couple of years. I feel comfortable installing all components except the headset. I've looked at repair books and the repair sites, but I don't really know if I should attempt this or not. Is this an area best left to the LBS or is this something I can learn and do?
Thanks
#2
Mad bike riding scientist
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I'm planning to build a new bike for century/light-touring duties based on a Surly Cross Check frame. I've got most of the components worked out except for the headset for which the whole subject is a bit murky to me. So, a few questions...
1. Do I need press-fit or drop-in for this frame?
2. I've had a good experience with Ritchey components on my road bike so is their Pro Cross headset a good choice? Others?
3. I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I've done most of my own wrenching over the last couple of years. I feel comfortable installing all components except the headset. I've looked at repair books and the repair sites, but I don't really know if I should attempt this or not. Is this an area best left to the LBS or is this something I can learn and do?
Thanks
1. Do I need press-fit or drop-in for this frame?
2. I've had a good experience with Ritchey components on my road bike so is their Pro Cross headset a good choice? Others?
3. I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I've done most of my own wrenching over the last couple of years. I feel comfortable installing all components except the headset. I've looked at repair books and the repair sites, but I don't really know if I should attempt this or not. Is this an area best left to the LBS or is this something I can learn and do?
Thanks
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#3
-
Since you're "not a mechanic by any means", go to your LBS, buy an inexpensive HS, and have them install it for you.
A $150 HS won't work any better than a $50 HS (or even certain $25 HS).
A $150 HS won't work any better than a $50 HS (or even certain $25 HS).
#4
Banned
Chris King headsets are so nearly fit and forget, the only time afterwards,
to do something with them
is to have a bike shop remove it and fit on the next frame you buy.
to do something with them
is to have a bike shop remove it and fit on the next frame you buy.
#6
Senior Member
Make sure to have the frame faced and chased. That is clean out the bb threads and face it and the head tube, so they are parallel with no exrta paint on them.
#7
Full Member
I do have a Chris King on one bike, and it is certainly a thing of beauty, but I've put many, many miles on the $25 headsets without doing a thing to them. (I do use fenders, and that goes a long way to protecting them.)
#9
Banned
What kills loose ball headsets is getting loose, once in adjustment Get the lock nut TIGHT.
I use a steel lock nut with an aluminum top race when practical.
so there is no space to accelerate thru to bang the parts together.
sealed bearing headsets have the adjustment dealt with , within the bearing cartridge.
I use a steel lock nut with an aluminum top race when practical.
so there is no space to accelerate thru to bang the parts together.
sealed bearing headsets have the adjustment dealt with , within the bearing cartridge.