I have a couple of persistent things going on with the front of my Cannondale XR800.

One is a pinging noise that seems like it's coming from the wheel. Or maybe some worse problem. Not sure, have not been able to track it down.

The other is that my (threaded) headset keeps loosening. The jam nuts stay torqued to each other and they move together up threads. Every dozen miles or so I need to screw them back down by hand. The headset is a Stronglight needle bearing type. I don't think it's original to the frame.

I am curious if these could be related and what could be causing them. Could the ping noise be coming from the loose headset? Is something ruined?

Is there a channel in the threads of the steerer that would let you use a keyed washer under the locknut? That would keep things from turning. Here's an example of the washer:

Another option is what my Bike Friday has (it's prone to loosening headsets due to the long stem). The locknut has a setscrew that can be tightened with an allen wrench once the headset if adjusted properly.

Regarding the headset, I would check that the split washer, as previously mentioned, is present. After that, check that the threads on the fork and nuts are in good condition.

Pinging spokes is usually indicative of looseness, so check for any excessively loose spokes.

The Stronglight roller bearing headsets have aluminum threaded parts. Are they stripped so that they no longer hold securely?

If you're hearing a random crackling/popping from the front wheel, it could be that the hub needs repacking, too.

Man, I'd love an excuse to replace these wheels, Vuelta Corsa HD. But they should be overkill. 36h and straight gauge and deep section and low mileage and big tires. And it's the front. Emotionally, anyhow, it doesn't feel likely. Still I'll check the tension.

I had a bike with a threaded headset that kept coming loose every time i ran on rough roads. Also noticed the pinging noise. Kept tightening it as much as I could, to no avail, finally took it apart, found that the keyed washer between the locknut and the top race had been twisted through the threads and stripped so the key wasn't really doing anything when I tightened the locknut.

Replaced the washer, tightened the nut down properly (helps to have a headset wrench to hold the top race), and no issues since.

Check for an obviously loose spoke or cracks in the rim around the spokes. You should also remove the tire and rim strip and inspect the inside of the rim. I've had rims crack between the spokes on the inside of the rim which can be the cause of creaking.


Ah, the joys of threaded headsets:roll eyes: As much as you are having to play with the headset, I'd say that it is toast already. You probably have pits in the cups and are well on your way to indexed steering.

Threaded headsets are prone to unscrewing. Mountain bikers from the 90s will tell you tales of having to replace headsets almost on a weekly basis because the damned things wouldn't stay tight during the stresses that mountain biking puts on the headset. There was a rather large cottage industry of collar locks for preventing the locknut from unscrewing that worked with only limited success. Some companies included them like this one.

You might still be able to find one (if your headset isn't toast) or you could use a shaft lock collar. Check McMaster-Carr for the shaft lock.

You must not be familiar Stronglight A-9 roller bearing headsets.

Not directly, no. But looking at one, I see nothing that would keep it from loosening like every threaded headset I've ever owned. Nor do I see anything that would protect the headset body from damage if the headset is loose.

It's a Delta, if we are being picky :-D

Check to make sure the stack height is ok for the steerer length. If the steerer is too long you will FEEL like you are tightening the locknut against the adjustable race, when in fact you are just bottoming the nut out against the steerer without making "Locking" contact against the adjustable race.

They don't index and the races are replaceable. That's why I have them on four bikes.

Thanks everyone for the things to check. I hope to return to my bike soon, this has been a busy week for me in non-bike life. I'll report back.

But they apparently didn't fix the loosening problem...and I doubt that a loose headset does the bearings and races any good.

I'm addressing this statement. I said nothing about loosening because it can loosen like any other threaded headset. My point is that it's not "toast". These headsets can be repaired with a kit that includes races and bearings. I've never heard of one getting indexed. The contact area of roller bearings is much larger than balls.

Darth Lefty:
The Delta is functionally the same as the A-9. It's just more "space age" looking.