On-One Smoothie mixer headset bearings?

trail jacker

Hi,

I have a carbon 456 frame which has a "smoothie mixer" reducer headset so I can run my 1 1/8th fork in the tapered headtube. I was wondering if anyone knows what size bearings the lower cup takes, as mine are worn out and stiff despite being regreased. I emailed On-One and they recommended visiting a "local bearing specialist"... weird response I thought. Anyway, been to 3 of my LBS and non of them stock the bearings.

They are oversized caged bearings (1.5" I assume), anyone with a C456 know what size I need as a replacement?

Thanks, Jack

UncleMonty

Haha, I have the same problem and got the same answer when I e-mailed them, they don't know the bearing size of their own brand headset !

I wasn't even sure if you could tap out the bearings but their tech guy said you can, mine are stiff but not fooked just yet so I've not got this far, I would expect the bearing number/size to be on the side of the cartridge but you'll have to remove them first.

if you find out could you post back

trail jacker

Pretty rubbish isn't it! I will try my best to find out when I remove the headset. I have bought a new headset now, so when its fitted I will look at the sizing for you.

Neal_

If you've got the cartridge bearing out then just measure it the google the dimensions but I wouldn't be surprised if the 1.5" bearing from SSC was the right one http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_ ... cts_id=439

trail jacker

From what I can see, the bearings are caged, so not sure if the SS ones are compatible. Not going to get chance to fit the new headset til next week so will report back then.

Neal_

Post up some photos of yours as On One's web site states "High quality cartridge bearings" http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/HSOOSMTAPER ... ed_headset

Also these photos of one show cartridge bearings

UncleMonty

Yes this is what mine looks like, doesn't look to be much room to get a screwdriver in to tap them out though.

trail jacker

Superstar bearings are compatible by the way guys, just installed them. Why On-One couldn't have just pointed us in the right direction to start with is a mystery. Oh well.

UncleMonty

That's good to know, were they easy enough to tap out ?

Neal_

Good to know for when I get a C456.

The bearings will just drop out of the cups are at most need a nudge with a tyre lever or screw driver but they're not so tight they need knocking out like wheel bearings b

trail jacker

Neal_ wrote:

The bearings will just drop out of the cups are at most need a nudge with a tyre lever or screw driver but they're not so tight they need knocking out like wheel bearings b

Spot on, I used a flat-head screwdriver and it was a very quick job!

Manny514

My 456 is about a year old and surprise surprise the smoothie mixer has given up the ghost. To be fair it's done well and has on just started to get a bit rough so tonight I decided to take a look. Sadly my gentle, and do emphasise gentle, tap has pushed the centre of the race out leaving the outside ring of the bearing firmly seated in the lower bearing cup. Any suggestions how I can remove the remaining part of the bearing? My initial thought is to tap out the lower cup to give me better access and enable me to get a better approach to drift out the offending item?

Greer_

Keeping the cup in the frame would give you more leverage and also means you won't have to press it back in. I'm not sure what i'd do to remove it but just be very careful you don't damage the cup!

Manny514

Thanks for advice I have now managed to remove the outer ring by gently levering the said component out,with a large flat bladed screwdriver, making sure to protect the cup and working around gradually using some plastic to protect it. The bearing certainly took a bit of moving and didn't just 'pop out' as mentioned earlier in the topic so be warned. I am now waiting for a superstar replacement and will let you know how I get on.

Greer_

It 'should' pop out, I have a zero stack headset from SS that was fine, sounds like it just somehow fell apart!

Neal_

Maybe the steel bearing race fused to the aluminium cup, seatposts in steel frames can do this too. Grease the new bearing before fitting it to prevent it happening again.

UncleMonty

Mine didn't just pop out either, I used a large flat blade screwdriver and gave it a few taps from the top of the head tube, the inner inner part of the bearing dropped out leaving the outer still wedged in the the bottom cup. I then did as above and leavered it out but it took some work.

Good job the new Superstar bearing fitted because I knackered the old one.

Manny514

I'm glad it wasn't just me. Superstar have already despatched the replacement bearing already, good service (I've always found them to be very efficient although I've seen several comments to the contrary, speak as you find I say)

Mtbdaz

trail jacker wrote:

Superstar bearings are compatible by the way guys, just installed them. Why On-One couldn't have just pointed us in the right direction to start with is a mystery. Oh well.

hi, I have the same headset and need the bearings changed, do you know the bearing size to order from superstar

cheers in advance

UncleMonty

Mtbdaz wrote:

trail jacker wrote:

Superstar bearings are compatible by the way guys, just installed them. Why On-One couldn't have just pointed us in the right direction to start with is a mystery. Oh well.

hi, I have the same headset and need the bearings changed, do you know the bearing size to order from superstar

cheers in advance

Here's the one I bought for the lower bearing, it's the type 2 set you need.

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_ ... cts_id=439

Mtbdaz

thanks

JohnRet

My smoothie mixer headset has caged bearings in the lower cup not a sealed bearing.

I have just bought the sealed unit from superstar, I presume it's not going to fit?

JohnRet

If it is the wrong one, does anyone want to buy it for a fiver?

JohnRet

(£5 posted)