Replacing my headset but what type is it?

[bernieUK]

Good morning and a Happy New Year to you all!

I would like to replace my headset. The one I have is a little cheap and cheerful. The alan key can barely get a grip on it.

I have been shopping around and I am bewildered as to what type I should buy. There are threaded, threadless, integrated, semi-integrated - not to mention carbon too! I am tempted to buy a nice Ritchey Carbon one! I have tried to read the name/model from the one I have but the lettering has worn away.

How can I tell what type it is? If it helps I have a Bob Jackson single speed frame. I would appreciate any guidance.

 

[Steve Austin]

It will either be 1" or 1"1/8th
I would bet money on it being a threadless, but without seeing your bike it could be a threaded...so

What type of stem have you got? quill stem or a threadless stem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_(bicycle_part)

Then you may have to get the tape measure out

 

[bernieUK]

Thank you for replying.

It appears to be a threadless stem. When I replaced the handlebar stem a while back a shim had to be used so I am assuming the forks are 1". I have attached a couple of pics. One of them is a little fuzzy - the light is not too good. When I was shopping for the headset they all seemed to be 1"1/8th


Cheers

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7039/dscn0095h.jpg

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/4728/dscn0097q.jpg

 

[Radius]

Yep definitely looks like a steel 1" frame, but your headset does seem to be threadless. So what you'd be looking for is a 1" threadless headset. Chris King is a favourite manufacturer of quality headsets, so that's where I'd be looking if I were you.
Like-a dees: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=33818

 

[Wobbly John]

I don't really understand this statement:

The alan key can barely get a grip on it.

Are you suggesting that the bolt through top cap only just reaches the star nut? If so the new stem probably has more height than the old one, which a longer bolt will solve.

If you can't tell the type & size of a headset just by looking at it, can you be sure you can install and set up the new headset correctly?

 

[bernieUK]

I don't really understand this statement:


Are you suggesting that the bolt through top cap only just reaches the star nut? If so the new stem probably has more height than the old one, which a longer bolt will solve.

If you can't tell the type & size of a headset just by looking at it, can you be sure you can install and set up the new headset correctly?

There was a little "play" when steering so I tried to tighten the headset. The alan key slips somewhat as there seems to be quite a lot of wear. Whether or not I can be sure of installing a new headset correctly - no real idea until I try. If I run into problems I will be engaging the services of my LBS and paying for the privilage.

 

[Wobbly John]

Sounds as if you'll need a new bolt then.

You did loosen the stem bolts when you tried to tighten the headset, didn't you?

 

[bernieUK]

Sounds as if you'll need a new bolt then.

You did loosen the stem bolts when you tried to tighten the headset, didn't you?

Yes, I did loosen the stem bolts a little before tightening. To be honest I had no idea the bolt itself could be replaced.