Allez Sport headset

[young Ed]

same bike as mine, and my bearings feel rather rough in there too

do the bearings now, replace them, as other wise you risk shootin' the headset cups and then you have trouble!
Cheers Ed

 

[nxn2020]

Anyone recommend a BB? I'm doing London to Paris this year and would like something I can trust. It's a big standard at the moment but I have no idea what sort I require, like other bike bits there seem to be lots of different ones. Spec days outboard cartridge bearing 68mm.

 

[young Ed]

Anyone recommend a BB? I'm doing London to Paris this year and would like something I can trust. It's a big standard at the moment but I have no idea what sort I require, like other bike bits there seem to be lots of different ones. Spec days outboard cartridge bearing 68mm.

the shimano un54 or 55 are great depending on what your current set up is. by the sounds of things you have external bearings where the axle is attached to the chainring/driveside crank? if so then without replacing the whole chainset then the un54/5 is off your list
if you do have external bearings and dont want to replace the chainset then i'm no good but i'm sure some better more helpful people will be along soon
Cheers Ed

 

[Ledge]

Really interesting reading all these posts. I really thought paying £725 for a bike I would be getting parts that may last. I need to replace the bottom bearing on the headset, and the free hub body on the back wheel. Does anybody know if free hub body is servicable or whether it needs to be replaced. I dont do alot of miles but i reakon thats the issue, plenty of time for moisture to sit. any info on headset bearings would be greatfully received.

 

[MrGrumpy]

If moisture gets in it will over time cause issues, more expensive bearings will last longer but the main thing is to get all that serviced either yourself or the LBS. The cane creek headset I bought to replace on my langster was fully sealed and its still smooth, and it has a tough life! The original was sealed but not great and siezed up in about a year or so from new. Freehub is maybe full of grit, you can i think split them. Or you can chuck it in a bucket of degreaser only issue is you need to then get some grease back in?

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/workshop-how-to-overhaul-your-freehub-23757/