Failed headset after 5 months!

bernithebiker

ugo.santalucia wrote:

bernithebiker wrote:

And here's the lower bearing after a quick wipe down.

Looking pretty good, just add some grease and good for another 10 000km+

Will I be pulling out the fork for a regrease after every wet ride? Er, no.

All is good for you then... One has to notice that you are quite diligent with your TLC. I can tell from a few details that you do clean your bike fairly regularly...There was no sign of oxide deposits on your brake bolt hole, for instance and no paint bubbling around the same area, which is very common in badly kept bikes. I have seen bikes only a few months old looking like they had seen many winters

I do keep the bike fairly clean, but it doesn't go much further than that. Quick hose down, maybe whip the chain off every few weeks and clean it, but nothing more.

Bearing maintenance like the above, (headset, BB, pedals, wheels) is at most a once a year affair, if I remember to do it.

My point is that a bike should be able to cope with a few wet rides without a semi-strip down. And bear in mind that many riders have no idea how to drop the fork out, (some don't even know how to adjust the headset). Do they have to book their bike into their LBS every Monday morning to be greased up, and collect it on Friday?

ugo.santalucia

bernithebiker wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

bernithebiker wrote:

And here's the lower bearing after a quick wipe down.

Looking pretty good, just add some grease and good for another 10 000km+

Will I be pulling out the fork for a regrease after every wet ride? Er, no.

All is good for you then... One has to notice that you are quite diligent with your TLC. I can tell from a few details that you do clean your bike fairly regularly...There was no sign of oxide deposits on your brake bolt hole, for instance and no paint bubbling around the same area, which is very common in badly kept bikes. I have seen bikes only a few months old looking like they had seen many winters

I do keep the bike fairly clean, but it doesn't go much further than that. Quick hose down, maybe whip the chain off every few weeks and clean it, but nothing more.

Bearing maintenance like the above, (headset, BB, pedals, wheels) is at most a once a year affair, if I remember to do it.

My point is that a bike should be able to cope with a few wet rides without a semi-strip down. And bear in mind that many riders have no idea how to drop the fork out, (some don't even know how to adjust the headset). Do they have to book their bike into their LBS every Monday morning to be greased up, and collect it on Friday?

As I do occasionally service other people bikes, I have seen things...
Yes, maybe Pinarello fits crap headsets, but I can tell you some people have no TLC whatsoever for their bike... they just expect to ride it in all weathers and bring it to the shop once a year for a service like they do with their car

giropaul

I'm hesitant to keep this going, but I have noticed (looking through previous threads to try to find a very similar one that seems to have disappeared), that the OP's frame is very small, and has a load of stackers. Both these are factors that will give rise to extra stress, and faster wear, in a headset (small distance between bearings, and loads of sideways leverage).

diy

My road bike is practically a BSO, they retail at about 1000-1200. My road bike IS my winter bike since I don't MTB as much in the winter, I reckon mine has done about £6-8K this year. Mine is 2 years old almost and my headset is perfect. PS I clean my bike with a jet washer. I'm careful with the jet, but nevertheless it gets a good soaking.

Captainlip

giropaul wrote:

I'm hesitant to keep this going, but I have noticed (looking through previous threads to try to find a very similar one that seems to have disappeared), that the OP's frame is very small, and has a load of stackers. Both these are factors that will give rise to extra stress, and faster wear, in a headset (small distance between bearings, and loads of sideways leverage).

The OP is probably feeling very stupid.

bernithebiker

Captainlip wrote:

giropaul wrote:

I'm hesitant to keep this going, but I have noticed (looking through previous threads to try to find a very similar one that seems to have disappeared), that the OP's frame is very small, and has a load of stackers. Both these are factors that will give rise to extra stress, and faster wear, in a headset (small distance between bearings, and loads of sideways leverage).

The OP is probably feeling very stupid.

I very much doubt that, but hopefully Nitr8 will be along later to clear that one up.....