In the past, bike steering used to be rough and clunky. But, nowadays, bike engineering technology provides excellent steering for your racing bicycle through an advanced headset. A headset is a vital bearing assembly in your bike head tube to facilitate the turn of the fork and wheel. However, choosing a headset is confusing due to different names and standards. Luckily, headset establishments have developed a standard headset information system (S.H.I.S.) for recognizing headsets.
When does your headset need to be changed?
Your racing bicycle consists of two bearings fitted at the top and bottom of the head tube. Over time, the condition of your headset bearings worsens, especially if dirt or water gets in.
The state reduces headset performance, and your handlebar starts to feel rough when cycling. If you notice such complications, it is best to replace your headset bearings.
Here’s how to select the best headset bearing for your racing bike.
1. Confirm your headset if your headset is press fix or integrated
Press-fit headsets include headset-bearing cups between your bicycle frame and its bearing. A pair of headset bearings with a star-fangled nut and a top cap are identifying features of an integrated headset. The headset bearing sits directly in the frame for an integrated headset.
When choosing your headset, first identify if your bicycle requires a press-fit or integrated headset. If your headset cut falls outside your bicycle frame, you’ll need a press-fit headset. However, when your headset fails to fit entirely inside your head tube, you’ll have to select an integrated headset bearing.
Using S.H.I.S. standards, your press-fit headset can be of two types. External Cup (‘E.C.) or Zero stack (‘Z.S.’). The bearing sits outside the frame for an external cup, while your headset bearing sits inside a Zero stack. But be keen as your bicycle may contain different upper and lower headset types.
2. Identify the inside diameter of your frame head tube
To measure the diameter, remove the existing headset from your bicycle frame. Use the right measuring tools, or a hammer and flat-blade screwdriver will be suitable. But with the latter, you must be extra careful around the head tube.
Measure the inside diameter of your top head tube followed by the bottom head tube diameter, and round the measurements to the nearest millimeter. When choosing your headset bearings, use the measurements to ensure their compatibility with your head tube.
3. Confirm your fork steerer tube
When measuring your fork tube, measure the top fragment’s outside diameter and the bottom section’s external diameter where your steerer goes into the fork crown. You measure your built-in crown race angle for an integrated fork, typically “45”. However, an old frame may have an obsolete 36 degrees.
Additionally, when selecting your headset, choosing headsets that are tight on the stem cap is a bad idea. Such a tight headset complicates your handlebar activities and can destroy your bearings.
Conclusion
If your handset is working optimally, you won’t likely notice it. But you should be concerned and grease it if you start having trouble. It is best to regularly upgrade or replace your headset for out-and-about activities with your racing bicycle. Apply the above information to choosing the best headset bearing when replacing your headset.
