Posting this in this in CV, as my question is related to a threaded headset:

I have a late model (2006?) campagnolo record threaded headset, however, I am missing the fork crown headset race and I do not want to spend a bundle to buy a new campy headset, as I am a cheapo.

Do you guys think a tange passage headset fork crown race might do the trick if it is also a size 26.4?

Also, in researching the bearing type for the campy model, I am seeing the following sizes stated: "5/32 -3/16 Ball." What does this mean?

Whereas, the tange model states: "5/32" Ball

Do they mean that the campy model could use either ball size, or that the balls are different on the top vs the bottom?

Could I go with the tange or do I have to dig deeper and go with campy?

And lastly, I would like to thank you, and the founders of this site in advance, for bringing together people who value this sort of minutia.

I'm not familiar with late model Campy headsets, but I would suggest just biting the bullet and buying the correct part.

Usually if the race is designed for the same size bearing it will "work", but that does not mean it will be a good fit. It's important the the lower race creates a good seal to the frame cup to keep dirt out. It may have a thicker profile and mess with the stack height as well.

It's no fun knocking crown races on and off, and you won't really know if it's going to work until you assemble the whole thing. So why bother, just spend the extra dough (you would just waste it on something else anyway, right).

The headset is very important to the handling and overall feel of a bike, not any area worth skinmping on.

Headset performance is a number of factors, if you want it to work well, keep out dirt, have the correct contact angle, repeatable stack height, pay the Campagnolo price, if from 2006, probably still avail. from Campagnolo as a service part.

Ok, thanks guys.

It should work, but I'd use the Tange upper race in frame, as well as on the steerer. That keeps them matched. I actually have similar! I was given a Campag headset, no idea the model but it was aluminium, and it wouldn't fit on the available thread. I used the existing, unbranded, parts at the top, and the Campag lower races and bearings.

Tony S

Like Otis said, it may "work", as in be functional, but the races may not match well enough to keep out grime.

Thanks to your advice, I researched finding the proper replacement part from campy. For $26 bucks, I could do the job

Campy uses wider bearings in the lower race. Hence the two bearing sizes.

Tange, the one you checked out, has only one size.

btw Campy and some higher end Shimano had the best bearing errr holder things (ring of metal, cut outs for bearings). If you're not using loose bearings, one of those is the way to go. You can tell because the bearings are almost touching. If you take a look at the Tange headset, there's a gap between each bearing in the RETAINER. RETAINER, it's a bearing retainer. I just remembered it.

I feel like the blue fish in Nemo. I can't remember her name though.

hope this helps,
cdr

It does help, thank you. Thank you all.

Dora.

Do that! Many "low cost" replacement headsets are more expensive than that.

CAGES, bearing CAGES

This might be helpful: https://www.branfordbike.com/cgi-bin/...69398581#item1