How long 'should' a headset and BB last?

roverthehill

I know, long long is a piece of string....

Bought the hardtail 11 months ago and the bikeshop reckon I need the bottom bracket and headset replaced. I've did a decent bit of riding: 2/3 times a week, usually 1-2 hours per ride. No massive jumps, but a fair bit of mud...

I rinse it down with a normal garden hose. The only lubing I do is to the chain though so maybe that is what I am doing wrong?

Just wondering if this is 'expected wear n tear' or something more to it.

supersonic

Seen them last a lot less than that! They may just need new bearings. Cleaning them out routinely helps. With the BB, it does depend what sort is fitted though. 250 hours is not bad going!

roverthehill

thanks supersonic!

I'm hoping to go on a maintainence course so hopfully learn how to clean the bearings.

cheers

cooldad

Read 'Read this first' below. It's all fairly simple - you don't need a course.

Buckled_Rims

I've now gotten cleaning my headset and BB down to less then 30 minutes. The BB is a Hollowtech and fairly easy to take off. I do this once a month to 6 weeks depending on what weather I've been riding. Both the headset and BB have last over 3 years and only recently done over 100 miles riding in the Cairngorms, so no easy life for my MTB.

I use Finish line teflon grease which seems to be very thick and sticky and not easily washed off.

The Rookie

The headset on my commuter is 6 years old, came out my MTB frame and was all rusty, greased and fitted and not touched in the 3 years it's been in there and dones 3000 miles, still smooth as silk but it is a roller bearing cartridge.