Originally Posted by
Dellphinus
Question to the group (especially the Grouch)- Ritchey Logic Comp threadless headset- "brinneled" - can I replace just the bearing set, or is it cheaper to just replace the entire headset?
Ain't dat cool to be asked for by name.
"Brinnelling" means that the bearing balls have made little dents in their races. To me that means that you have to replace the races.
Now here's where it gets interesting: In a cartridge bearing the balls and races are packaged together in a sealed - well - "cartridge". If that's what your headset looks like, and you can find a replacement cartridge bearing that's the same size, I'd think that's all that you'd have to replace. A cursory look through my old Quality catalog didn't turn up any Richie replacement cartridge bearings. If your top goal is to save money, you could take the old bearing to Berry Bearing or some similar supplier and ask if they have something similar. The worst that could happen is it wouldn't work and you'd have to replace the whole headset anyway.