Cost of replacing headset bearings on an internally cabled bike
Hi all,
I have an Orro Terra C with the newer internal cabling “ The biggest change for 2021 is the front-end cable routing. On the Terra C, the cables and hoses leave the confines of the handlebar tape as per usual, but instead of entering the frame at the down tube, they disappear into the head tube before starting their journey to the brakes and mechs.”
My headset bearings are feeling rough and I think they will replacing sooner rather than later.
Whilst I do a lot of my own maintenance this one is beyond me.
Can anyone give me an indication of possible cost of this replacement if carried out by a workshop please? Understand this will be a ‘ rough’ estimate, but think there will be quite a few stages of work required for this? Bike is around 4 years old and used as a winter and gravel bike and otherwise very well maintained so is a keeper.
Many thanks in advance as ever!
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There are quite a few variables.
The job will be simplest if you have wireless electric gears, and hardest if you have 2X mechanical gears.
You / the bike shop will need to do all the normal stuff to change the bearings plus remove / change bar tape, cut brake hoses (which may need to be replaced if not enough slack to play with), refit barb / olive, bleed brakes and if mechanical recable and reindex all the shifting.
It can add up to a fair amount of work and I've seen people quoted £200 for it.
I don't think it is that hard to do yourself, as long as you have plenty of time and break it down into the individual component jobs you'll be OK.
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Thank you Davo.
Your response is appreciated. I was fearing something in the region of £200 unfortunately, because of the work involved.
Just wish manufacturers weren’t doing this (internal cabling), especially on gravel bikes.Not sure if all gravel bikes are similarly equipped? Hindsight being a great thing, I might have gone for a different model with exterior cabling when purchasing.
Will consider doing it myself!
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The worst thing is some of the internal cabling set ups leave the top bearing far more open to the elements than a traditional set up. The Terra is a classic example of this with two big holes at the front for cables. The Ribble Endurance is worse as it has a shelf for water to accumulate then drain into the bearings. So not only is it a ball ache to change bearings, you also need to do it more frequently.
Love the looks of internal routing on a nice aero bike; but pain in the backside for anything used in mucky conditions.
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Could you tie the handlebars to the frame and just remove the front caliper so the forks will drop out without disturbing other cables? Obviously I've never tried this, but it seems like it may be possible. Then it's only a matter of refilling the front brake and bleeding.
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Might be possible if you just have an issue with the lower bearing, but the cables run through the top so no choice if you need to change that. In the past bottom bearings got miles more muck thrown at them from the road but now there is a massive gap at the front for water to run down the cables and drain into, it's not so clear cut which one will be the first to go!
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If course, it's obvious now you say that. Oh for a threaded steerer and loose balls 😂
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Do you think it would be worth trying to close up the holes somehow to try and stop the water ingress….. I know that water will always find a way through so have probably answered my own question….But just a thought.
Can anyone out there recommend a gravel bike which will act as a winter bike which doesn’t come with internal cabling?
I’m also thinking that electronic shifting would cut down some of the work when doing headsets with internal cabling?
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150 to 250 including bearings .The upper end is for Canyon aeroad as they are a bastard due to the design .
Your Orro should be around the 150 mark including bearings .
As mentioned above Canyon are terrible for gathering water in the top too .
I've had 2 Aeroads in both under 6 months old with top bearings separated .I always pump a ton of grease in them now to protect them for as long as possible.Canyon paid the invoice for 1 of them that was only 4 months old
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If you choose not up grade to TNT to watch the cycling and watch it on Tiz Cycling, you will be able afford to get shop to do it and have money left over.😉
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Thanks Trev and a good shout re the extra grease too. Will certainly do that!
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Nice one! 😎That’s one way of justifying the cost! Just taking a look at Tiz now.
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