Smaller than 1" headset bearing help!

[EarlofBarnet]

I'm so close to finally finishing my Stumpjumper but I'm stuck with headset bearings. It's a 1" headset, and I ordered 1" bearings and they're too big. Can anyone point me in the direction of some bearings for my Stumpy?

Any help would be much appreciated! :cry:

 

[Dead Rats]

what size did you order and what make / model headset is it? sounds quite a mystery!

 

[EarlofBarnet]

I think the headset could be the original. The bottom cup arrangement looks a traditional layout, but the top cup is different. Hard to explain, but the cup screws on to the steerer and the bit in the frame in vary narrow and the bearing race rests around the outside of it as apposed to them sitting in the cup that would be traditionally fitting in the frame.

I just ordered 1" headset bearings, like these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-PAIR-1-HEADSET- ... 3352ebbc40

Not sure if these would be the same or smaller: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Weldtite-5-32-bik ... 2a071f55c5

 

[EarlofBarnet]

Quick pic. On the left a battered set of original bearings and on the right a set of 1" bearings I ordered.

Subtle size difference. I'm stumped

 

[WD Pro]

Just buy the same size and balls and re-use the old cage or even better, buy the same size balls and fit them loose (and get more in)

 

[Skeelsie]

Had the same problem with my tange headset, just went for loose balls mounted in thick lithium grease to keep them located while assembling.

Action is about 20% smoother and there's a bigger contact area now.

 

[Dead Rats]

I think the headset could be the original. The bottom cup arrangement looks a traditional layout, but the top cup is different. Hard to explain, but the cup screws on to the steerer and the bit in the frame in vary narrow and the bearing race rests around the outside of it as apposed to them sitting in the cup that would be traditionally fitting in the frame.

I just ordered 1" headset bearings, like these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-PAIR-1-HEADSET- ... 3352ebbc40

Not sure if these would be the same or smaller: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Weldtite-5-32-bik ... 2a071f55c5

hmmm, have known Campagnolo headsets to have slightly smaller size bearings in top cup than bottom... other than that, what they said ^^

 

[EarlofBarnet]

Thanks for the advise everyone. Was going to go down the loose bearing route (as the old cage is goosed), but thought it might be a nightmare. Might have to have the bike upside down to do the top race so I don't loose the bearings.

I'm sure both top and bottom race are both the same size bearings. As I have one good race and one knackered one and have had the good one in the top and the bottom.

Will try the loose route

 

[ekiborter]

Few people know that 1" threaded headsets come in differing sizes with the two most common being JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) and ISO (international Standards Organization) or British standard size.

I've come across a couple of other variants which I have had no luck in giving a proper name to their design.

If you are unlucky you can sometimes get a bike that sits between the JIS and ISO standards with an ISO headset and the smaller JIS fork and crown race..... bloody annoying if it happens because you either have to get a new fork or purchase two headsets to make one good one from. :evil:

loose balls does seem to be the obvious choice at this stage for this 'undersized' headset.

;]

 

[Dead Rats]

Few people know that 1" threaded headsets come in differing sizes with the two most common being JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) and ISO (international Standards Organization) or British standard size.

I've come across a couple of other variants which I have had no luck in giving a proper name to their design.

If you are unlucky you can sometimes get a bike that sits between the JIS and ISO standards with an ISO headset and the smaller JIS fork and crown race..... bloody annoying if it happens because you either have to get a new fork or purchase two headsets to make one good one from. :evil:

loose balls does seem to be the obvious choice at this stage for this 'undersized' headset.

;]

I forgot about this abomination... is that why getting a Campy crown race onto a Vitus fork recently was such a 'mare!?