Headset Bearings
- Thread starter JD42
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Or they could need greasing.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
I'm fairly sure the Diverge uses internal pressfit bearings so this should be a very easy job - you just need to find the right size bearings. The old ones should just pop out and the new ones slip in easily. The bearing size should be marked on the side of the old bearings but if you're not sure, this site might help: https://www.canecreek.com/headset-fit-finder
Replacements are easy to find online, and not expensive, eg http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ritchey-pro-headset-bearing/rp-prod62162
Only caveat is when you remove the old ones, be careful to make sure you keep track of any washers, spacers, O-rings, olives etc and the order they come out, so you can put them back together in the right order.
When putting it all back together, tighten the top cap first to preload the bearings (just tight enough so there's no play in the headset), then tighten the stem bolts (very important not to overtighten these, especially if you have a carbon fork).
Replacements are easy to find online, and not expensive, eg http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ritchey-pro-headset-bearing/rp-prod62162
Only caveat is when you remove the old ones, be careful to make sure you keep track of any washers, spacers, O-rings, olives etc and the order they come out, so you can put them back together in the right order.
When putting it all back together, tighten the top cap first to preload the bearings (just tight enough so there's no play in the headset), then tighten the stem bolts (very important not to overtighten these, especially if you have a carbon fork).
gbb
Legendary Member
- Location
- Peterborough
While I don't know what specific bearings are fitted to this bike, I had a bike which after a few very wet rides had orange gunk coming out and staining the frame. Strip down, clean some awful looking surface rust away, regreased...they worked absolutely fine after.
Last edited:
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Just replaced the headset bearings on my commuter, repacked with grease and its a lot smoother and took me like 15 mins max .
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
Good video that, despite a few minor irritations...
1. The Roubaix isn't "designed for riding in California" (the clue is in the name) - the quality of the components is a reflection of the overall cost of the bike. You want high end bearings, you gotta pay more.
2. You don't need to pay £60 for Specialized branded replacements. Bearings come in standard sizes and generic ones can be bought much more cheaply - you just need to know the right size. I got some replacement headset bearings at £14 for the pair from CRC recently. I probably could have got them even cheaper from my local specialist bearing supplier.
3. "A popular internet auction site" - you're not on the BBC, mate, you're allowed to say eBay.
Otherwise, good advice.
1. The Roubaix isn't "designed for riding in California" (the clue is in the name) - the quality of the components is a reflection of the overall cost of the bike. You want high end bearings, you gotta pay more.
2. You don't need to pay £60 for Specialized branded replacements. Bearings come in standard sizes and generic ones can be bought much more cheaply - you just need to know the right size. I got some replacement headset bearings at £14 for the pair from CRC recently. I probably could have got them even cheaper from my local specialist bearing supplier.
3. "A popular internet auction site" - you're not on the BBC, mate, you're allowed to say eBay.
Otherwise, good advice.
