Can't get 1 1/8 headset bearings?

chronyx

I'm pretty much resigned to buying a new headset but thought i'd post up here and test the collective BR brain!

Last weekend I went out to buy some new 1 1/8 bearings for my Hardrock.

My travels took me to:

Halfords - none
Action bikes - none
Cyclecraft - none
Surrey cycles - none

Surrey cycles said that these are not possible to buy and you need a new headset. I don't disbelieve them as I might as well have been asking for unicorn balls when I asked for some 1 1/8 headset bearings. I could get similar 5/32 bearings all day long but these are too small.

Any thoughts? A new headset is just a whole new load of hassle.

nicklouse

so what is the headset?

chronyx

Sorry should've said - it's the standard 1 1/8 thread less, sealed loose ball, alloy cap made by Cane Creek

nicklouse

loose ball not caged?

measure the balls size and number and get some. LBS's normally have lose balls if not yellow pages and bearing shops.

chronyx

They are caged as standard - I did get some loose bearings and put them in put there's a fair amount of vertical play now :?

Like I say I just wondered if anyone knew off the top of their head where to get original type replacements. Tried Google and eBay with no joy! I think a new HS may be easiest.

nicklouse

for the caged nope there is nothing. all you can do is go lose and add a few more balls top and bottom.

chronyx

OK Nick thanks for confirming that!

nicklouse

to Quote from parktools

It is possible to replace retainer ball bearing with loose bearings. Grease cups to hold bearings, and place balls into cup shaped races. Leave a wide gap the size to two ball bearings, do not attempt to fully fill cup.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=65

chronyx

Hmmm, maybe worth ripping apart again and checking I've repacked it correctly. The bearing race surfaces aren't really worn (Somehow! I used to be a tad over-enthusiastic with the hosepipe ) :oops:

allthegearnoidea

if you have a look in your local yellow pages, have a looksy for a bearing supplier, our local one has all manner of bearings available, not always the cheapest and in some cases your prolly best of getting a new headset fromt he cost fo the bearings alone, but may help for the future!
normal sealed beasrings all have numbers on the top and bottoms to allow for recognition of the bearing, quite often if you google the number you'll come up with many places!

the mvps

I have never had a problem obtaining caged bearings - I get mine from a normal local bike shop (ie not mountain bike specialist)

Keep looking !!

tjm

you really don't need the cage, it is only there to make assembly easier. If you do as advised by nicklouse (and have the correct size balls) then there should be no problem.

btw. I might just have mis-interpreted what you said but you don't want 1 1/8 balls. That is the size of the steerer tube (and hence size of headset), you could (theoretically) have any size balls in the bearing. So if you ask a shop for 1 1/8 size balls (or even balls for a 1 1/8 headset) they probably don't know what you want.
Standard sizes are 1/4", 1/8",3/16", 5/32", 7/32". All are in stock at edinburg cycles .... here

Toby

chronyx

Thanks for all your help guys