Campagnolo Headset: Info?
 

Hi
Nuovo record (steel) headset arrived this morning, it will be going on my bike which I believe has an English threaded fork (built in Liverpool England) the bike currently has a modern tange threaded headset fitted

Unfortunately the headset is an Italian thread, do you think this will be compatible with my forks, I have searched on the net but couldn’t seem to get a definitive answer

Also the headset is complete apart from part no 2101 (left diagram) can aftermarket bearings be used or are the specific campag bearings required?

Also I cant make out but are these bearings held in by a ring or are they placed into the races loose?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v138/Petephoto/26.jpg




pete

The original bearings used a retainer. You can use aftermarket bearings, use grade 100 or better.

You may feel a little resistance when threading it on but I wouldn't worry about it. Italian and english headsets are quite similar, just don't go changing headsets back and forth all the time. I'm sure you won't do that!

Thats great thanks :) yes i think once this is fitted it wil be staying on the bike for some time! one thing can you run the bearings with out the retainer ?

yes, just be sure to use the right size - fill up the cup, remove one, use plenty of lube which helps hold the bearings in place.

excellent, was a bit worried i'd have to hunt round for the campag parts, thanks :)

As long as you have the correct size, high quality bearings and the patience to get them put in without the retainer you're good to go.

For what it's worth, I was taught to fill and remove 2 balls for headsets only. I think that the theory is that it allows the balls to move around more freely and helps avoid indexing. I don't know for sure that it works, but I've been doing it that way for 35 years.

really? i've been just filling the races up for years :-\

Campy supplies them in a retainer, but you can pack the race with 22 3/16" grade 25 loose bearings in each race.

Italian thread is compatible with English, so no worries there.

As previously stated, thread difference is not an issue and loose or 3/16" earings can be used. If the Tange is ISO standard, the cup and crown race diameters should also be compatible.

The one problem area may be stack height. The Record Strada has a stack height of 39mm while Tange headsets can be much lower, 33mm on the Levin for instance. If the steerer has been cut to the correct length for for the Tange, without using spacers, then there my no little or no thead for the locknut to engage. The rule of thumb is that the locknut should engage at least three full turns.

HIi T-Mar

yes i am a little concerned about this, a large cable hanger has been fitted so there may be some play there, I'm taking it to my frame builder this afternoon and he is going to fit it (if he can) be dissapointed if it cant be fitted, the more i discover about the bike the more i find it has been put together pretty shoddily :(

If the headset is new, I'd be sure to use the more evenly sized Grade 25s than the coarser Grade 100s.

My experience with Levins is that older ones, like from old Treks, are the same stack as the Record Strada, while modern ones are lower in stack height.

To the OP: You can measure the necessary stack height by subtractng the length of head tube from the length of the steer tube, with all headset parts removed.

In addition, the cups in these headsets are pressed into the frame and onto the fork. Correct pressing is necessary to ensure correct race positioning. If you can't adjust it properly at the end of the job, you might need to start over and have the frame and fork crown machined (reaming and facing) to ensure proper mounting surfaces. Good bike shops can do this pretty cheap.