Your Headset
What is It?
Your headset is a system made up of two sets of ball bearings. These ball bearing sets are located just above and just below your frame's head tube.
What does it Do?
It allows your handlebars, stem and front fork to turn freely inside of the head tube. Your headset also holds all of these pieces solidly in place within your frame.
What Needs to be Checked?
You should check your headset to make sure it is secure and that it allows for smooth, unencumbered steering.
How Often should I Check?
You should perform the following headset checks before every ride.
Check Procedures
- Headset adjustment check
To check for good headset adjustment, straddle your bike facing forward and apply the front brake fully. Grab the handlebars and push forward and backward against the grip of the brake. There should be no looseness, play or knocking in the headset. If there is, turn the handlebars 90 degrees and try again (this will ensure that the looseness is in the headset, not your brakes). If you have a front shock, compress it slightly to make sure that looseness is not coming from the shock.
- Bearing system check
The bearing systems that make up your headset are designed to provide a full range of smooth rotation. To make sure they're doing their job, lift your front wheel off the ground (either in a work stand or suspended by the bike's top tube) and turn the handlebars slowly back and forth from one extreme position to the other.
Well-tuned ball bearing sets will give you a smooth rotation from start to finish; damaged or poorly adjusted ones will either bind up slightly during the rotation or feel rough or jerky as you turn your handlebars. As you perform your checks, make sure your brake and shift cables aren't interfering with the headset rotation.
Also, listen for rattles, clunks, or grinding sounds in your headset, both while testing them and while riding. These can also be signs of possible bearing system trouble.
Common Headset Problems and Solutions
- Poor headset adjustment
Solution - Headset adjustments can be complex procedures, and they're best left to experienced bicycle mechanics. At the first sign of headset trouble, bring your bike into a full-service REI shop for adjustment.
- Bearing system damage
Solution - Bearing system problems are also beyond the abilities of most "home mechanics." If you think your headset bearings are damaged, bring your bike into a full-service REI bike shop for repair as soon as possible.
Headset Cleaning Procedures
Headsets cannot be cleaned from the outside. Serviceable models (some are, some aren't) must be disassembled completely, cleaned, re-packed with grease, and reassembled. This is a process beyond the scope of this clinic.
However, there are a few points related to headsets and cleaning that are important for all home mechanics to know:
- Be careful to keep water away from your headset bearings as much as possible when you clean your bike, since water can work its way into some bearing systems and cause damage. This general warning applies to bearing systems found throughout your bicycle (your headset, bottom bracket, axles and pedals all use ball bearing systems).
- Also be careful when cleaning your frame to avoid wiping any grease leaking from your headset bearing systems back up into the bearing systems. This can force grease that's been contaminated with dirt back into otherwise clean bearings.
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