headset bearings

turbo1191
turbo1191 Posts: 501
edited June 2019 in Workshop
Hi folks, hoping someone can help! I have a genesis 30 delta bike and i need to renew the headset bearings. the spec states that they are 1-1/8" - 1-1/2" TAPERED. I purchased both sets online but when i received them they seem to be a slightly larger size and therefore wont fit in the crown race, the actual bearings are bigger in the replacement. i have included a pic of the old and new, old is on the right and new on the left (pic is of the 1-1/8") can anyone point me in the right direction?

thanks

48014123501_845860c72b_c.jpgIMG_20190606_193219 by thebigman1191, on Flickr

Comments

  • Alejandrosdog
    Alejandrosdog Posts: 1,975
    this is the whole headset, its pricey but you shop around im sure https://www.evanscycles.com/fsa-orbit-c ... t-EV207744

    can you not just pack with grease and use the original?
    Ive had them looking completely shot and re used them perfectly well after a bit of cleaing and regreasing.
  • turbo1191
    turbo1191 Posts: 501
    I may be wrong here but that looks like a sealed bearing headset.. whereas my caged bearings just sit in the crown race..
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    If it's the Prestine F-23 headset it looks like the upper is 25 x 1/8" bearings in a retainer and the bottom is 31 of the same.

    http://www.prestine.com.tw/upload/downl ... 805460.pdf Page 8.

    If the pressed in cups are still OK I'd just buy a pack of decent quality 1/8" ball bearings and pack them in loose with plenty of grease. As many as you can fit in, then take one out.

    You'll still have more bearings than the original. All the retainer does is make it easier for the bloke assembling the bike.
  • turbo1191
    turbo1191 Posts: 501
    @keef66. great, thanks. i'll just purchase a job lot of the bearings.. thanks muchly for your help :)
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Welcome. I'm guessing the caged one you bought is 3/16"
  • turbo1191
    turbo1191 Posts: 501
    Yes it was. On further inspection i actually think its the lower crown race that is the problem. I had another bike with the same headset and swapped bearings and i have still have the same problem (notchy steering and bars returning to centre). I presume i need to purchase a new headset then as im not sure whether you can buy crown races seperately..?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    The lower bearing is generally the one which packs up; it takes all the load and gets a lot more filthy water thrown at it.

    Do you mean crown race? That's the bit that goes onto the fork and on which the bearings sit / run. If so, yes you can buy them separately https://www.tweekscycles.com/uk/cane-cr ... lsrc=aw.ds

    Or do you mean the lower headset cup that's pressed into the headtube and in which the bearings sit? They are not usually available on their own but sometimes you can find the cup + bearing rather than having to buy a whole headset
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    https://www.bike-mailorder.com/columbus ... -6-zs52-40

    This looks like a direct replacement, headset complete with cartridge bearings

    ZS42/28.6 - ZS52/40 seems quite hard to find. Maybe ask Genesis what they's suggest?
  • turbo1191
    turbo1191 Posts: 501
    Yes the crown race.. it looks very worn. I actually emailed genesis and they replied basically saying they don't know what headset bearings fit the bike! Thanks for all your help.. :D
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    That crown race I linked to is the correct size according to the Prestine tech info.

    Disappointing from Genesis...

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