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Headset and Fork?

Old 05-20-12 | 08:26 PM
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Headset and Fork?

When my bike was at the LBS they told me i needed a seal between the fork and the body and then another seal under the heaset spacer and the body. The problem as i have seen is finding such seals.

I have a 2007 Orbea Ora, anyone know where i can get these seals? I have contacted Orbea and they have no clue what i'm talking about.
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Old 05-21-12 | 08:54 AM
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Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Seals, if any, come with the headset. I'm not sure what your bike shop is talking about but if the headset was properly installed, everything you need should be there.
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Old 05-22-12 | 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by HillRider
Seals, if any, come with the headset. I'm not sure what your bike shop is talking about but if the headset was properly installed, everything you need should be there.
Yea, what he said. I've dealt with several headsets in the past few years, a few that came installed in bikes, and a couple new ones I've purchased and installed. I've never seen a "seal" other than the fact that the bearings are sealed cartridge bearings. Two recent FSA headsets I've installed have what looks and feels like a rubber O ring imbedded in the cone spacer, which forms a good seal with the steer tube to keep water from trickling down there, I guess.

By the way, one reason Orbea doesn't know is that they don't actually make the headset. See if you can identify the headset (common names are Campy, Cane Creek, and FSA in the OEM bike market.). It could actually be that Orbea varies the brand of headset they use depending on supplier issues. The probably use comparable quality, and "standard" (i.e. IS, EC, ZS), but may vary the supplier. Therefore, the guy doesn't really know. The various comparable headsets will have similar specs, and mostly similar (and interchangable) parts, but some may have seals others don't etc.

If you can identify the brand, either look at their installation documents online (which usually also include an exploded diagram showing all the little parts), or call that company and ask them.

But again, if you bought that bike new, and it came with the headset assembled, I would have absolutely no reason to think there are seals missing. It could very well be that the LBS guy happens to be familiar with a headset that does have seals and therefore thinks all should have them. A little knowledge/experience can be more dangerous than none!

Last edited by Camilo; 05-22-12 at 02:57 PM.
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Old 05-22-12 | 03:50 PM
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+1

Some, not all, headsets have little rubber o-ring type seals which help keep dirt and water out. Unless you believe your headset is really missing parts or wasn't installed properly I wouldn't worry about it. If nothing else, these seals are not critical as long as you repack the bearings appropriately.
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