Replacing the Acros AI-70 headset bearings in Canyon Ultimate CF SL/ Inflite AL etc frames
far_from_home
Posts: 7
Has anyone replaced their headset bearings themselves? These bearings seem to sit in the frame with an interference fit and need to be pressed into the frame. So not so easy. Top bearing is the rather uncommon 1-1/4”, bottom bearing a more common 1-1/2”. I feel like I have searched the internet dry, without finding a good description of how anyone has done this on a Canyon frame, or with which (affordable) headset press tool can be used.
On both my 2014 Ultimate CF SL and my Inflite the top bearings are rough and I’d like to replace them, or perhaps still better I’d do both top and bottom at the same time.
A year ago I had a go at replacing the top bearing on the Ultimate. Getting the bearing out with a homemade removal tool was no problem, but trying to press the new bearing at home was a failure because using a homemade press the bearing cocks over very easily and is impossible to get is started going in straight. I had a local bike shop mechanic press it in, but he must have pressed on the inner race because the new bearing was rough straight after install. So I’d prefer to not go back there.
So I guess I am looking for an affordable tool that will press evenly and straight on the outer race of a 1-1/4 inch bearing. Does it exist? One that also does the lower 1-1/2” bearing too would be a bonus.
The upper bearing dimensions are 35 x 44 x 5
Lower bearing 37 x 48 x 7
One further question about the bearings. Does anyone have anything to say about bearing steel quality? Are the bearings from Acros any better than what is available off ebay? The new bearing I had put in a year ago, a cheapie bought elsewhere online, did seem to rust up very quickly (not sure if races or balls or both). I thought I’d try Kinetic Bearings on ebay this time.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
On both my 2014 Ultimate CF SL and my Inflite the top bearings are rough and I’d like to replace them, or perhaps still better I’d do both top and bottom at the same time.
A year ago I had a go at replacing the top bearing on the Ultimate. Getting the bearing out with a homemade removal tool was no problem, but trying to press the new bearing at home was a failure because using a homemade press the bearing cocks over very easily and is impossible to get is started going in straight. I had a local bike shop mechanic press it in, but he must have pressed on the inner race because the new bearing was rough straight after install. So I’d prefer to not go back there.
So I guess I am looking for an affordable tool that will press evenly and straight on the outer race of a 1-1/4 inch bearing. Does it exist? One that also does the lower 1-1/2” bearing too would be a bonus.
The upper bearing dimensions are 35 x 44 x 5
Lower bearing 37 x 48 x 7
One further question about the bearings. Does anyone have anything to say about bearing steel quality? Are the bearings from Acros any better than what is available off ebay? The new bearing I had put in a year ago, a cheapie bought elsewhere online, did seem to rust up very quickly (not sure if races or balls or both). I thought I’d try Kinetic Bearings on ebay this time.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
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