Sealed vs Unsealed (Headset)???
03-11-08, 11:29 AM
#1
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Sealed vs Unsealed (Headset)???
I understand the difference between "threaded" and "threadless" (headset), but what is meant by "sealed" and "unsealed"???
Sorry for the dumb question, but I'm just now trying to teach myself more about bicycle mechanics.
Sorry for the dumb question, but I'm just now trying to teach myself more about bicycle mechanics.
03-11-08, 05:40 PM
#2
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Headsets are made with two types of bearings, loose ball (often in a retainer cage) or cartridge bearings.
The "seals" in loose ball headsets are just rubber gaskets or O-rings that make a half-hearted attempt to keep out water and dirt.
Cartridge bearings can be fully sealed or shielded which is a semi-seal. A big advantage to cartridge bearing headsets is that the bearings contain the races in the same unit so a worn out bearing can be replaced without pressing out the cups or crown race.
The "seals" in loose ball headsets are just rubber gaskets or O-rings that make a half-hearted attempt to keep out water and dirt.
Cartridge bearings can be fully sealed or shielded which is a semi-seal. A big advantage to cartridge bearing headsets is that the bearings contain the races in the same unit so a worn out bearing can be replaced without pressing out the cups or crown race.
03-11-08, 06:20 PM
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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!
03-11-08, 08:00 PM
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Oh, much more. But they are very smooth, last forever and are very pretty. Already transfered some of the 4 
I own from other bikes...some more then once
I own from other bikes...some more then once
__________________
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!
03-12-08, 08:18 AM
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