Impact of not changing damaged headset bearings

alex222

I have a Canyon Ultimate CF SL [2014], which has the Acros Ai70 headset. These now need replacing, as turning the handlebars you can feel that it is rough and grinding.
Replacement bearings are £55, plus they are press-fit, which I don't have the tools for.

So my question is whether just leaving the bearings as they are would damage the forks or frame?
It is my winter / commuting bike so I can live with how the steering feels, but if it will wreck the bike then I would have to change them.

Thanks

masjer

If the bearings aren't too far gone, you could remove the bearings, carefully pop the seals off, clean (degreaser), then re-grease (marine quality grease if poss). This'll give the bearings a new lease of life and stop them seizing completely.
They'll still feel rough as the bearing races will be pitted but will be functionally fine. I've done this many times with no ill effects. In fact after many miles they wear in and get smoother again.

arlowood

Since it's your winter hack - I'd persevere with it for now until the weather warrants it being consigned to the shed/garage/whatever. Then you will have a nice little project to keep you happy when it's p***ing down and you don't want to ride your best bike.

Get yourself a headset bearing removal tool such as this:-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quality-Headset-removal-extractor-Headtube/dp/B011IOU8WQ/ref=asc_df_B011IOU8WQ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310669108494&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13735171215835099635&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006891&hvtargid=pla-421631566681&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Cheap as chips and you can always flog it once you've used it.

Thereafter you can make your own press. Lots of videos on YouTube but this one gives you the general gist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGfvO-ztoT4

Or you can buy one from Fleabay for under a few quid

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114390507457?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=114390507457&targetid=1140163971529&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006891&poi=&campaignid=12126090633&mkgroupid=117623829555&rlsatarget=aud-629407026905:pla-1140163971529&abcId=9300481&merchantid=6995734&gclid=Cj0KCQiA962BBhCzARIsAIpWEL3mZzEBizF6wyH9D42GW5lyIHpW_RshXwqYjOTGjrRV4MD0KSXfI78aAhMLEALw_wcB

And there you have it. New bearing fitting project for the summer months

alex222

Thanks for the tips

whyamihere

Looking at the bike and the headset, it doesn't look like a press-fit with cups which are pressed in, it looks like the bearings sit directly in the frame. This is important for 2 reasons - Firstly, if the bearing does seize then it's potentially going to be rubbing directly on the frame and possibly the fork crown and destroying one or both, and secondly they're actually pretty easy to replace as you can take the bearings out and fit new ones by hand. I'd be fitting new bearings. There are slightly cheaper options if you look, like these: https://www.kineticbikebearings.com/canyon-acros-ai70-headset-bearing-set-by-kinetic.html

ugo.santalucia

headset bearings are not pressed, they just sit in the frame grooves. They might be seized in place due to rusting and swelling, making you think that you need to press them

alex222

whyamihere said:

Looking at the bike and the headset, it doesn't look like a press-fit with cups which are pressed in, it looks like the bearings sit directly in the frame. This is important for 2 reasons - Firstly, if the bearing does seize then it's potentially going to be rubbing directly on the frame and possibly the fork crown and destroying one or both, and secondly they're actually pretty easy to replace as you can take the bearings out and fit new ones by hand. I'd be fitting new bearings. There are slightly cheaper options if you look, like these: https://www.kineticbikebearings.com/canyon-acros-ai70-headset-bearing-set-by-kinetic.html

Thanks a lot, went on that site but missed the cheaper option. With your and Ugo’s advice I’ll get them changed

alex222

Managed to change the bearings today, they were press fit but picked up a cheap tool online which worked fine.
Removing the old bearings was the difficulty, bottom bearing had pretty much fused to the forks. So took a lot of effort to remove, including leveraging a screwdriver against a carbon lip which was dodgy. Fortunately managed without damaging anything. Lesson for me is to remove the forks to clean and re-grease every so often.

dennisn

The impact???? Failure. Can't believe that anyone actually asked this question.