Allez 16 double 2011 bearing query

khann015
khann015 Posts: 10
edited June 2011 in Road beginners
hi

The bearings and bearing retainers on my spesh are looking bad. I need to replace them but Im not sure what im looking for.

My LBS is pretty much useless and I contacted specialized and this is what they said:


Hi,

Thanks for your email, it's always great to hear from riders.

The Headset in your bike is known by us as a Mindset. These are an unusual semi-integrated design where the headset cup also acts as the outer race of the bearing.

If needs be you can swap the Mindset for any internal headset that uses 36/45deg Angular contact bearings for a 1 1/8th steerer tube.

Hope this helps,

Kind Regards,

I think these may be the correct bearings http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BG409A12-Bearings+With+Retainer+Ring.aspx?sc=FRGLUK&cc=GBP (Yst 1-1/8" 5/32"X22 Headset Retainer)

Can someone please confirm this, any help will be much appreciated. :!:

Comments

  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    2 things.

    Are you sure that you need to replace your headset bearings? Have you removed them and checked them out? I only ask because your post says a 2011 bike and it seems hard to believe that your bearings are shot when we are only 6 months into 2011.

    If you have removed them then do they look the same as the ones you are linking to? I would have thought that you would have been sealed bearings in there not open cage bearings.

    You could just remove the bearings and take them to a bike shop and ask for replacements, they should be able to supply the correct ones based on internal and external sizes.
  • khann015
    khann015 Posts: 10
    night_porter wrote:
    2 things.

    Are you sure that you need to replace your headset bearings? Have you removed them and checked them out? I only ask because your post says a 2011 bike and it seems hard to believe that your bearings are shot when we are only 6 months into 2011.

    If you have removed them then do they look the same as the ones you are linking to? I would have thought that you would have been sealed bearings in there not open cage bearings.

    You could just remove the bearings and take them to a bike shop and ask for replacements, they should be able to supply the correct ones based on internal and external sizes.

    I was also shocked at the condition of the bearings. They were pretty much brown and the surface is really bad. I got the bike like 8 months ago and I rode it in winter (First bike, I wish I hadnt ridden it in winter).

    Yea it does look the same as the ones Im linking to and they are open cage bearings.

    Yea I tried taking it to a bike shop near me but they didnt even bother looking at the bearings they just said they dont have them in stock. I think Ill try to find another store.
  • khann015
    khann015 Posts: 10
    btw Yst 1-1/8" 5/32"X22

    I know the X22 means there's 22 ball bearings

    and 1-1/8" refers to the size

    what does 5/32" mean is that the angle or something.

    Will the bearings I linked work. i do understand taking it into a shop would be the best thing.
    Thanks
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    1 1/8" refers to the diameter of the steerer tube.
    5/32" refers to the diameter of the individual ball bearings.

    If I were you (and I appreciate that I am not) I would put loose bearings in there, e.g. these. Don't forget to add some bearing grease.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • mrdoofer
    mrdoofer Posts: 71
    I replaced my specialized mindset with a sealed cane creek cartridge unit, it was a bit of a potch. After trying to tap the bearing cups out I took it to the LBS where they removed them with a special tool no problem. The cane creek headset I bought and sourced through the cane creek website fitted OK but need a load of spacers to get it to fit right (not enough included with the headset). Everything works now OK no problems. The sealed cartridge units now sit on a lip inside the headtube, so I guess any damaged caused now will affect the frame directly.
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    Okay the bearings are brown, that could be for 2 reasons.

    1) There is an ingress of water and something has started to rust, not very likely though.

    2) More likely is that it was packed with brown grease to start with and some dirt has combined with it to make it seem like there is a problem.

    Both the cage and the bearings are made of stainless steel which is normal steel plus chromium (I think over 10%). This has the effect of making the steel rust proof and extremely hard.

    Try taking the bearings and soaking them in degreaser and giving them a very good clean up. If the bearings are shot there will be pitting on the surface but do not confuse this with the dirt you are currently seeing.

    Once cleaned you will find that they roll pretty smoothly and freely, next clean the inside of your head tube and steerer. Replace the bearings and temporarily attach the top cap and stem. Wiggle your bars and see if the beaings are now free.

    If all seems well remove and repack thoroughly with proper grease. Put everything back together and go for a ride. Remember not to pre-load the bearings too tightly and all should be good. I think this is more likely than the bearings being shot after 9 months of use.

    However, if they are shot then either return your bike to the retailer you bought it from or contact Spesh directly because it could be the cause of bad workmanship when the bike was originally built.

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