Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Is it time for a new headset?

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Is it time for a new headset?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-11-15 | 10:54 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Is it time for a new headset?

I am starting to notice that the bike is pulling to the right when I ride without hands. Enough so that I can only do it for 5 seconds or so without correcting it. There is no play with the stem. After reading some posts, it sounds like this could be due to a headset bearing wearing out. Before I took this one, I wanted to check with this group to see if it sounds like time for new bearings. In addition, I wanted to check the validity of turning bearings 120 degrees or 180 for that matter to extend their life by 2x or 3x.

09 Madone - Integrated headset
About 5,000 miles on this set of headset bearings.
At 1,500 miles ago, LBS turned them 120 degrees during final free maintenance check to extend their life. Was not having any issues at time.

CT
cth6 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-15 | 12:06 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Take the weight off of the front wheel and turn the handlebars side to side slowly. See if there is any feel of "catching" or "indexing" as you turn them. If there is, your bearings are due for replacement. If not the headset is probably ok assuming it isn't adjusted too tight.
HillRider is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-15 | 12:11 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Pulling to one side is not a sign of a worn headset. The "indexing" that Hillrider describes is, but it doesn't cause pulling.

The headset is likely fine, and may or may not be due for some service, but you need to look elsewhere for the pulling.

Before looking, consider how long ago this started and what changes, if any, were made between when it was fine and when it started pulling. That will help focus your attention of the more likely culprits, but in geneal you're looking for something related to the wheel tracking and alignment of the tire contact points on the road. It could b as simple as a poorly mounted wheel, or as complicated as an alignment issue resulting from a crash.

By example, it you recently replaced a wheel, you might have mounted it poorly, or it might not be dished properly.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.

Last edited by FBinNY; 01-11-15 at 12:15 PM.
FBinNY is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-15 | 01:17 PM
  #4  
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
HillRider - That was it. Never did that test before. Pulled the bearings and the bottom one has two areas were it sticks. Feeling is almost like there is a grove on the inside of the sealed bearings. I appreciate the help!

FBinNY - As soon as I swap them will test ride and see if that did it or something else. Nothing has changed on the bike in a few months, so I will have to dig a bit more.

CT
cth6 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-15 | 01:35 PM
  #5  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

Often wonder if the drainage crowning done in the road engineering is causing the perceived Pull to the right.. the road is not flat all the way across..
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-15 | 04:18 PM
  #6  
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by fietsbob
Often wonder if the drainage crowning done in the road engineering is causing the perceived Pull to the right.. the road is not flat all the way across..
That actually crossed my mind when I first started noticing it. As a runner, I pay attention to crowned roads and often run in the middle of the road or switch sides of the road to even out the stress on my legs; traffic depending. While it was not as bad going on the wrong way of the road it was still pulling to the right.

What I am surmising based on HillRider's input was there was an index just to the right of center on the bearing. As I let the weight off of the front wheel, it naturally wanted to sit in that indent which pulled the bike to the right.
cth6 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-15 | 04:35 PM
  #7  
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
So I wrongly figured that the LBS would have a list of the correct bearing size or replacement headset for my headset. Not if you ride a 08-09 Madone. Turns out they used a non-standard tapered headset; IS 41\53

The mechanic at my LBS dug through the parts bin and found one left in the package. If anyone cares the correct bottom headset bearing is a MH-P20 or Enduro S68808 SP.

Specs:
ID: 40mm
OD: 53mm
Thickness: 7mm
Internal & External Angle: 45 deg
cth6 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-15 | 05:12 PM
  #8  
catgita's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 764
Likes: 5
From: Long Beach

Bikes: Fitz randonneuse, Trek Superfly/AL, Tsunami SS, Bacchetta, HPV Speed Machine, Rans Screamer

It is a bit unusual for an indexed headset to be off center because it is usually the result of cumulative trauma, which is pretty statistically biased to be dead center. Maybe it is because your mechanic had rotated it previously, and so an old worn spot was just off to one side, skewing the result.

Never a bad idea to check first what is easy to check, even when less likely to be the cause.
catgita is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
johngwheeler
Bicycle Mechanics
24
10-03-17 10:50 AM
silent_chief
Bicycle Mechanics
17
04-15-16 07:02 PM
dbg
Bicycle Mechanics
1
08-17-15 10:03 AM
Reeses
Bicycle Mechanics
12
08-23-12 11:54 PM
Bushwhacker
Road Cycling
10
04-19-10 07:26 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.