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Headset on my road bike (Orbea Orca) was feeling a bit rough, so pulled it apart expecting to find a standard crown race on the fork and bearings in the frame and another race by the stem, but was surprised to find a single bearing race just sat on the fork and a bushing by the stem. Race could just be lifted off with fingers - no movement, but certainly not a snug fit.
Seems to work fine, just thought I'd share as not seen this set up before.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53035787144_d1f59d907e_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53035787144_d1f59d907e_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2oNAgMb ]Headset bearing[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53035787159_8c1445bdcb_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53035787159_8c1445bdcb_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2oNAgMr ]Headset bushing[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
Going to need a new race, which means a front brake re-bleed....
Going to need a new race, which means a front brake re-bleed…
The scourge of internal routing
Is there not a (big) top bearing under that cover?
Is there not a (big) top bearing under that cover?
That's what I was thinking, but nothing, it's just a nylon bushing.
The scourge of internal routing
Think it's three years old now, so can't really complain if I have to rebleed the front once every three years. Although being SRAM, it's DOT-4, which I hate - mush prefer mineral oil.
And there's no cup for bearings in the top of the headtube? What happens when the bushing wears out? Had a quick search out of curiosity and can't find anything similar..!
What happens when the bushing wears out?
I guess you buy a new one!
Although the steerer might wear down eventually, meaning a new fork is required.
Try and buy some spare bushings if you can otherwise the frame may be scrap when it wears out !
The scourge of internal routing
While Im very against headset routing on MTBs as it actually makes them look less neat, adds complexity and reduces the headset sealing by a fair amount, on a road bike? Once you've got the cables / hoses taped to the bars then running through the headset seems like not a crazy idea. Its not like you can just whip off the brake outer and replace it anyway? Plus so many road bikes are now and / or soon will be electronics, its often just hoses for the brakes which aren't going to be easily removed if internal either way. Also, rather than needing noodles and access ports etc which add weight/reduce aero (and road bikes are all about the aero) the headset does offer a really easy exit port so that hoses can be shoved through the frame from the caliper upwards to the headset making building the bike actually easier.
So yeah I guess, on a road bike, headset routing actually makes a lot of sense. NOt saying that specific implementation is good or bad, for example it has no steerer guard for the cables, and the headset top cover looks like it will let water just rinse through it, but if done right, it should be a decent way of doing road bike routing.
*shudders*
I really like internal routing on road bikes, makes them look so much cleaner.
Having to rebleed a brake every few years is no big deal.
Well apart from it being a PITA / expensive job just to replace a headset bearing. It’s **** stupid.
£20 for a bleed kit is you don't already have the right attachment for the lever. Take me less than 30 mins to rebleed it. I've been bleeding bike brakes for over 20 years now, it's really not that difficult.
Well apart from it being a PITA / expensive job just to replace a headset bearing
A well sealed, well greased bearing should last for many years on a road bike, long enough I don't think you'd begrudge the additional complexity on changing it out. Its all going to depend on how its done. The irony of course is that a badly sealed through the headset-headset will rinse bearings faster than normal, so now you have a more awkward job you have to do more often.
Exactly. It makes it a more regular and a more difficult/expensive job. Double whammy.
This chap pushes a bearing into his Orca (madam) and sticks the placcy thing on top
.
Same fork setup though, with no crown race.
(He also uses a steerer cutting guide so is not as good at mechanics stuff as many STWers 😉 )
This chap pushes a bearing into his Orca (madam) and sticks the placcy thing on top
.Same fork setup though, with no crown race.
Interesting, I couldn't see / feel any bearing on top of the steerer tube.....
I might drop Orca an email and see what they say, I need to source a new race anyhow.
He also uses a steerer cutting guide so is not as good at mechanics stuff as many STWers
I used one when I cut the steerer tube down!