Re: [RBW] Headset question

2015-07-13 Thread Steve Palincsar
Sounds like indexed steering to me.  I agree, time to bring it to the LBS.

- Original Message -
From: 'Tim' via RBW Owners Bunch rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com
To: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2015 10:45:48 AM
Subject: [RBW] Headset question

How do you know when a headset is worn out? My Hilsen has an Ultegra headset. 
The bike was built up in 2011. There seems to be kind of a dead spot when the 
wheel is centered up. If you have the wheel centered and move the handlebars to 
the left and right, it's like you have to overcome inertia to get past that 
spot. The best way I can describe it is it feels a little like when you swing 
one of those swinging saloon doors, the way they kind of pause at dead center. 
It makes me wonder if the headset needs replaced. If so, any suggestions as to 
a good headsets? Thanks!

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Re: [RBW] Headset question

2015-07-13 Thread Eric Norris
90% sure you have a worn headset. You can try adjusting it; it may be too 
tight, but smart money says you need to replace it with a new unit.

--Eric Norris
campyonly...@me.com
www.campyonly.com
campyonlyguy.blogspot.com

 On Jul 13, 2015, at 7:45 AM, 'Tim' via RBW Owners Bunch 
 rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com wrote:
 
 How do you know when a headset is worn out? My Hilsen has an Ultegra headset. 
 The bike was built up in 2011. There seems to be kind of a dead spot when the 
 wheel is centered up. If you have the wheel centered and move the handlebars 
 to the left and right, it's like you have to overcome inertia to get past 
 that spot. The best way I can describe it is it feels a little like when you 
 swing one of those swinging saloon doors, the way they kind of pause at dead 
 center. It makes me wonder if the headset needs replaced. If so, any 
 suggestions as to a good headsets? Thanks!
 
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 RBW Owners Bunch group.
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Re: [RBW] Headset question

2015-07-13 Thread Tim McNamara

 On Jul 13, 2015, at 9:45 AM, 'Tim' via RBW Owners Bunch 
 rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com wrote:
 
 How do you know when a headset is worn out? My Hilsen has an Ultegra headset. 
 The bike was built up in 2011. There seems to be kind of a dead spot when the 
 wheel is centered up. If you have the wheel centered and move the handlebars 
 to the left and right, it's like you have to overcome inertia to get past 
 that spot. The best way I can describe it is it feels a little like when you 
 swing one of those swinging saloon doors, the way they kind of pause at dead 
 center. It makes me wonder if the headset needs replaced. If so, any 
 suggestions as to a good headsets? Thanks!

Yes, that headset probably needs to be replaced but first it should be checked 
for proper preload adjustment.  The wheel, fender if any and handlebars/stem 
need to be removed to do this.

Headset longevity is interesting- my Riv A/R has had the same Stronglight 
headset since 1996, my Ritchey has had the same AheadSet threaded with 
cartridge bearings since 1998 (and that one came on the frame which I bought 
used, I have no idea how long it’s been on there), my home built bike has a 
Stronglight headset that’s been on there for 10 years.  So my advice would be a 
Stronglight headset since I have had great results with them.

Jobst Brandt opined that what damages headsets is long periods of riding in a 
straight line which results in the headset being loaded without moving, causing 
micro welding adhesions between the ball and the fork race as the grease is 
pushed out of the contact point.  When the fork is eventually turned a few 
atoms of metal are torn off the race and/or cup.  I don’t know if that’s really 
correct, but I do remember reading reports of headset damage like this on pro 
team bikes that had never been ridden- they had been carried on a roof rack 
with a fork mount, which transmitted all of the road vibrations into an 
unmoving headset and caused wear of the races and cups.  For this reason I 
never use a fork-mounted roof rack for ferrying my bikes around.  Of course, I 
almost never put by bike in a car anyway, preferring to ride from home as much 
as possible.  I probably should put it in the car and drive to a ride, I am 
bored of my usual roads.

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