Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

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Dr pepper
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Joined: 29 Jul 2020, 11:41pm

Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by Dr pepper »

I have an old trek mtb from the 90's.
I want to get a set of threaded headset bearings for spares.
How do I find these on ebay, I seem to just get the newer threadless ones on my search.
drossall
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Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 10:01pm
Location: North Hertfordshire

Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by drossall »

What, regular loose bearings? Or these? You'll need to know what size you have.
peetee
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Location: Upon a lumpy, scarred granite massif.

Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by peetee »

There was no standard caged bearing size for that style of headset. Assuming the headset cups are in good order, which is unlikely, you should measure the size of a single ball bearing and fit a new set. Do this by greasing the inside of the cups and fitting the bearings in individually. It’s a fiddly job but can be done.
In my experience any deterioration of the bearings is rapidly matched by deterioration in the cups and a whole new headset is the only solution but you think they are ok then doing what I have described is an inexpensive alternative.
The older I get the more I’m inclined to act my shoe size, not my age.
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531colin
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Location: North Yorkshire

Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by 531colin »

If the cups show brinnelling by caged balls, they may be OK with new, loose balls; because the balls and dents won't always line up.
Dr pepper
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Joined: 29 Jul 2020, 11:41pm

Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by Dr pepper »

Brinelling, I've been a machine fitter for a long time and never heard that one.

Well there is signs of rust, not outside but inside the cups so I assume the 'ole thing is totalled.
The stem is 1" but I dont know any other sizes so I guess I'm going to have to take the thing to bits and measure up, I was hoping not to have to do that.
There are some nice looking adaptors on ebay where you use a cartridge bearing instead of balls on old type threaded headsets, theres nothing wrong with balls except keeping the water out, my ride is an all weather commuter.
rogerzilla
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Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by rogerzilla »

It's false brinelling really. Caused by small fore-aft rocking movements, displacement of grease, and fretting of metal on metal in the straight ahead position. Road bikes suffer worst. Cartridge headsets are very resistant to it because the cartridges can move in the cups.

MTB headsets tend to die from rust instead.
zenitb
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Use "threaded" in your ebay search

Post by zenitb »

this tange looks nice.
Tange headset
Tange headset
are you 1" or 1 1/8" that is the key thing. EDIT: also check the "stack height" matches.
slowster
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Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by slowster »

Dr pepper wrote: 31 May 2022, 11:01am I'm going to have to take the thing to bits and measure up
Check the crown race diameter carefully. There are two main standards for crown races for 1" threaded steeers: Japanese Industry Standard (JIS) is 27.0mm diameter, and ISO is 26.4mm.

SJS make clear in the product descriptions which type each that they sell is:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/headsets-1-threaded/

This one comes with both types of crown race:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/headsets/mp ... set-black/

Further information here:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-headsets.html
peetee
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Location: Upon a lumpy, scarred granite massif.

Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by peetee »

slowster wrote: 31 May 2022, 3:23pm
SJS make clear in the product descriptions which type each that they sell is:
And thank goodness they do. Very few other retailers bother and, IME, nearly as many don’t have a clue what you are referring to when you ask. :roll:
The older I get the more I’m inclined to act my shoe size, not my age.
gregoryoftours
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Joined: 22 May 2011, 7:14pm

Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by gregoryoftours »

You could always try getting some ball bearings cheap online to see if that's good enough for you. The races might clean up quite well. The most common size of ball bearings for threaded headsets is 5/32"
hercule
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Joined: 5 Feb 2011, 5:18pm

Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by hercule »

Velo Orange make some nice threaded headsets with replaceable sealed bearings, in a variety of sizes. They have kept my older (late 80s, early 90s) bikes on the road.
Dr pepper
Posts: 59
Joined: 29 Jul 2020, 11:41pm

Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by Dr pepper »

I needed something quick so I got another old type ball bearing headset.
Good job I did as I found my steerer is 1 1/4", and now I have my old set I can get measurements off it.
The new one I have is fitted straight but for a few days it had an annoying creak, seems to have settled now though.
rogerzilla
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Joined: 9 Jun 2008, 8:06pm

Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by rogerzilla »

1 1/4" is very rare now. Look after it!
Dr pepper
Posts: 59
Joined: 29 Jul 2020, 11:41pm

Re: Ols style steerer tube bearings how to find

Post by Dr pepper »

Yes, the old girl already runs a threadless bottom bracket as there is no longer any threads.
Doesnt owe me owt, I'll keep it going as long as it wants to.
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