Is my headset knackered?

nasahapley
nasahapley Posts: 717
edited May 2008 in Workshop
Hi all,

Out on my after-work loop last night I noticed a sharp cracking sound coming from the front of the bike when pulling on the bars, not all the time but only intermittently, and it's never been there before. Everything felt solid so I carried on. When I got back I did as good a check as I could (my knowledge of bike mechanics is pretty much nowt); all bolts were as tight as they should be, but the steering was very slightly 'lumpy' when turning to the left (totally smooth turning to the right though, and I'd never have noticed when actually riding).

I'd guess that something is up with my headset? What I really need to know is if I carry on for a week will it be unsafe? (Got a sportive this weekend and no opportunity to get to LBS beforehand).

Cheers,
N

Comments

  • portuguese mike
    portuguese mike Posts: 695
    Lift the front of the bike of the ground and turn the bars, if you find that the bars don't turn smoothly in either direction i.e. they feel a bit stiff and lumpy then it quite likely your headset is on the way out. regreasing it may be all it needs though.
    pm
  • millar time
    millar time Posts: 392
    I had a similar problem a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a creak coming from the general vicinity of my forks, and then I noticed they were flexing a lot more than usual, I assumed it was just a headset issue.. I took it in to my LBS anyway and on closer inspection I had a bloody great crack in my steerer, so its probably worth getting it checked rather than carrying on regardless. Just thinking about what couild have happened if I'd not got it checked makes me go a little pale.

    It probably is just that your headset that needs a bit of TLC but better to be safe than sorry..

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