Miche Headset - Curious Plastic Ring on 1" threaded primato
 

Hey guys,

I was installing my new Miche Primato 1" threaded headset and I came across one piece who's function I can't determine. It is a plastic ring that sits on top of the crown race. The bottom-most metal ring (one of the ones that sit on top of and below the needle bearings) fits snugly into this plastic ring, but it seems to make the headset bind up somewhat. I removed it and reinstalled the headset and now it rotates buttery smooth.

I'm curious if anyone has any experience with these headsets or knows if this little plastic ring is neccesary to the proper function of Miche's headsets. I haven't ridden this headset yet. I'm afraid that I might be discounting the rings importance as I did with the compression ring the first time I installed a threadless headset.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=261852
The ring i speak of is the black plastic one second from the bottom. I know this isn't the threaded version but that's exactly the same on both as far as I can see from the pic. If it'll help I can take pics of my actual headset.

Thanks in advance,

Ave

I believe that ring is a dust/water seal to keep contamination out of the lower bearing. Did you install it upside down? Some of these seals have a required orientation and won't work if not facing the correct way. Also they may cause a slight drag when first installed but that should go away with some use.

Thanks for the help. The drag seemed pretty significant compared to without though. And by orientation, you mean rotating it left or right around the race (as apposed to flipping it upside down) right? Ill mess around with it a little and get back.

In the meantime does anyone have any experience specifically with this headset? Will leaving this ring out cause my bearings to wear out significantly faster or is it more or less superfluous?

Yes, you need to have the ring or improvise some other type of seal. If the ring is greased and installed the right way the drag will be minimal, and unnoticeable when riding. The lower bearing sees the worst of dirt and weathering. Without the seal or improvised baffle or deflector dust and/or water spray coming off the front tire will have easy entry to the bearing accelerating wear or rust.