Threaded headset bearings

top_bhoy

I stripped out the threaded headset on my old 13 yo specialized bike yesterday to clean and refit the forks and lo and behold, I dropped the bearing retainer and unsurprisingly I lost 2 of the bearings out of it.

Can I assume that these bearings will be different sizes dependant on model and manufacturer and that the best way to get the correct size is to use a micrometer (or similar). I can't find any markings that would make it easy to identify.

Thanks

Smokin Joe

They are a standard size (which escapes me) but replacing the two lost balls would not be a good idea, they should be used as complete sets. Just get a replacement set of bearings from your LBS, they will be cheap and readily available.

Monty Dog

Unless it's a pretty fancy headset, then it's just standard size bearings from your LBS.

top_bhoy

Cheers guys......I got sorted out - but with a bit of a story and 20 minutes. I went with the intention of buying a complete set of bearings but apparently the shop was unable to do so - I was told its not possible to buy the bearings seperate from the retainer and the retainers they had were only in complete headsets. The retainers they had were of a different size to mine though the bearings were the same size. I have a 1" steerer, I suspect they only stock 1 1/8 " versions..

In other words to get the bearings I would have had to special order up and buy a complete headset. After a bit of disenchantment at this news (I had went there specifically after phoning and being told they were available) another guy was apologetic and did his best before coming back with 2 replacement bearings for the ones I had lost. Its an older bike anyway so the cost of a new headset would have been near the market value of the bike.

I'm not convinced by the 'no replacement' available unless in a complete headset. I would have thought that bearings would be available in sets and it wouldn't be deemed necessary to replace an entire headset due to the bearings alone - even on a 1" steerer. They said that the bearings are not available in individual sets - is this correct?

Maybe it was just the shop policy not to stock piddly items or the distributors just don't consider bringing them into Oz. I'm sorted now but Oh to find a good local bike shop - Wheelcraft spoiled me.

Pirahna

In days gone past a shop would have stocked loose ball bearings but as we are now in the age of sealed cartridge units there is no need. You'll buy loose balls from a bearing factor, use yellow Pages to find one. They may only want to deal in quantities of several hundred though.

Ste_S

Top_Bhoy wrote:

Cheers guys......I got sorted out - but with a bit of a story and 20 minutes. I went with the intention of buying a complete set of bearings but apparently the shop was unable to do so - I was told its not possible to buy the bearings seperate from the retainer and the retainers they had were only in complete headsets.The retainers they had were of a different size to mine though the bearings were the same size. I have a 1" steerer, I suspect they only stock 1 1/8 " versions..

In other words to get the bearings I would have had to special order up and buy a complete headset. After a bit of disenchantment at this news (I had went there specifically after phoning and being told they were available) another guy was apologetic and did his best before coming back with 2 replacement bearings for the ones I had lost. Its an older bike anyway so the cost of a new headset would have been near the market value of the bike.

I'm not convinced by the 'no replacement' available unless in a complete headset. I would have thought that bearings would be available in sets and it wouldn't be deemed necessary to replace an entire headset due to the bearings alone - even on a 1" steerer. They said that the bearings are not available in individual sets - is this correct?

Maybe it was just the shop policy not to stock piddly items or the distributors just don't consider bringing them into Oz. I'm sorted now but Oh to find a good local bike shop - Wheelcraft spoiled me.

I wonder how my lbs (Fred Williams) stock them then if it's impossible, magic ?

IDK

I think you'll find a 1" headset will typically take 5/32" ball bearings - but measuring as a sanity check is always best.

In my experience most places will only have them in races - but even my local Halfords stock these with a little tube of grease.

If you want them loose on-line is probably you're best bet, eg SJS have them by the bag or somewhere that stocks Weldtite products, eg Julies.

Cheers, idk

top_bhoy

SJS look the business - they've an Alladins cave of bearings . I bought the VAR tyre lever from them during the summer and they were very good. This one is being bookmarked.

I don't want to spend too much on this old bike, its just to give me experience of building up a bike and see what tools I might need or think about to maintain my 'good' bike.

Thanks for everyones input!!