Headset question

[Simonb]

Now I know someone posted recently about his headset 'sticking' at a certain point. And I know the
general consensus was that this was the fault of the person who over-tightened the headset on
installation. But, following a crash last week (a motorist turned across me without indication), my
headset now seems to want to stay dead-centred. I have to 'push' it out of centre to steer, and it
seems to be getting worse.

How can this be remedied? Do I need a new headset? Is it likely to get worse?

TIA

Simonb

[Helen Deborah V]

"Simonb" <sbennettatwiderworlddotcodotuk>typed

> Now I know someone posted recently about his headset 'sticking' at a certain point. And I know the
> general consensus was that this was the fault of the person who over-tightened the headset on
> installation. But, following a crash last week (a motorist turned across me without indication),
> my headset now seems to want to stay dead-centred. I have to 'push' it out of centre to steer, and
> it seems to be getting worse.

> How can this be remedied? Do I need a new headset? Is it likely to get worse?

Worn headsets have a habit of settling into 'dead centre'.

Replace.

--
Helen D. Vecht: helenvecht@zetnet.co.uk Edgware.

[Marten Hoffmann]

"Simonb" <sbennettatwiderworlddotcodotuk> schreef ...
> Now I know someone posted recently about his headset 'sticking' at a certain point. And I know the
> general consensus was that this was the fault of the person who over-tightened the headset on
> installation. But, following a crash last week (a motorist turned across me without indication),
> my headset now seems to want to stay dead-centred. I have to 'push' it out of centre to steer, and
> it seems to be getting worse.
>
> How can this be remedied? Do I need a new headset? Is it likely to get worse?

It is very likely your headtube and/or headset have been slightly "ovalized" by the crash. This
should be checked by a (knowledgeable!) shop, I guess.

--
Regards, Marten

[Ivor Cave]

Simonb wrote:
> Now I know someone posted recently about his headset 'sticking' at a certain point. And I know the
> general consensus was that this was the fault of the person who over-tightened the headset on
> installation. But, following a crash last week (a motorist turned across me without indication),
> my headset now seems to want to stay dead-centred. I have to 'push' it out of centre to steer, and
> it seems to be getting worse.
>
> How can this be remedied? Do I need a new headset? Is it likely to get worse?
>
> TIA
>
> Simonb
>
>

Might also be worth checking the forks to so if theres is any new bends in them :) If the collision
was hard enough the forks or head tube could have deformed slightly.

Ivor Cave

[Helen Deborah V]

Ivor Cave <ivor@ut2003-server.com>typed

> Simonb wrote:
> > Now I know someone posted recently about his headset 'sticking' at a certain point. And I know
> > the general consensus was that this was the fault of the person who over-tightened the headset
> > on installation. But, following a crash last week (a motorist turned across me without
> > indication), my headset now seems to want to stay dead-centred. I have to 'push' it out of
> > centre to steer, and it seems to be getting worse.
> >
> > How can this be remedied? Do I need a new headset? Is it likely to get worse?
> >
> > TIA
> >
> > Simonb
> >
> >

> Might also be worth checking the forks to so if theres is any new bends in them :) If the
> collision was hard enough the forks or head tube could have deformed slightly.

If the frame is made of 531, check the frame tubes just behind the headset lugs as this is where
they are most likely to kink. Such damage is not always visible.

--
Helen D. Vecht: helenvecht@zetnet.co.uk Edgware.

[Pete Biggs]

Simonb wrote:
> Now I know someone posted recently about his headset 'sticking' at a certain point. And I know the
> general consensus was that this was the fault of the person who over-tightened the headset on
> installation. But, following a crash last week (a motorist turned across me without indication),
> my headset now seems to want to stay dead-centred. I have to 'push' it out of centre to steer, and
> it seems to be getting worse.

That looks like a classic case of damaged forks to me*. I think it's unlikely to be the headset and
forks may be very difficult or impossible to repair perfectly. I suggest getting a second opinion
from a good bike shop.

Shouldn't be getting worse if it is bent forks, though. Could that be your imagination as you become
more annoyed by the problem? Otherwise, yes, headset or something else could be at fault.

* I used to buy a lot of cheap old bikes at one time. If the steering either consistently went to
one side or strongly auto-centered, all would be well after I changed the forks.

~PB

[Simonb]

Pete Biggs wrote:
>
> * I used to buy a lot of cheap old bikes at one time. If the steering either consistently went to
> one side or strongly auto-centered, all would be well after I changed the forks.
>
> ~PB

Would damage to the forks cause this centering, though? I thought the headset was responsibe for
steering 'feel'.

Simonb

ps, thanks for all your replies. I'll be taking it into my LBS on Monday.

[Digweed .. ;\)]

Simonb tried to scribble ...

> Pete Biggs wrote:
>>
>> * I used to buy a lot of cheap old bikes at one time. If the steering either consistently went to
>> one side or strongly auto-centered, all would be well after I changed the forks.
>>
>> ~PB
>
> Would damage to the forks cause this centering, though? I thought the headset was responsibe for
> steering 'feel'.

Potentially yes, though a lot would depend upon the actual damage encountered. Generally
self-centering is a function of the rake and trail of the forks, if either of these dimensions has
been changed then potentially this could cause the effect you describe.

The headset really just holds the front wheel onto the frame and allows the forks to turn freely,
but has no function with regards to self centering if it's tightened correctly and isn't damaged.
The headset can self centre only if there's damage to it or it's component parts or it's not fitted
correctly.

Using very general terms the rake is the angle of the headset from perpendicular and the trail is
the distance of the centre of the wheel hub from this angle that the bend or the offset of the fork
produces. These may only be checked with reference to relevant specifications, probably available
from the the cycle manufacturer, but possibly also more freely available to a lbs who may check the
frame and forks for you.

--
Digweed

[Pete Biggs]

Simonb wrote:

>> * I used to buy a lot of cheap old bikes at one time. If the steering either consistently went to
>> one side or strongly auto-centered, all would be well after I changed the forks.

> Would damage to the forks cause this centering, though?

Yes I believe it can (I mentioned two different problems above - both caused by crashed forks). I
think this one is when forks are either bent back or forwards as opposed to twisted. I've had
exactly those symptoms cured purely by replacing the forks (using the same headset). Might be worth
checking the therory via rec.bicycles.tech

> I thought the headset was responsibe for steering 'feel'.

Faulty headset can effect the feel - but usually only very slightly in this way. Personally, I've
only ever noticed "indexed" headsets with bike stationary or at very low speed (say under 6mph) -
and the effect is not very dramatic even then. Steering basically feels normal but with a glitch.
The other common headset problem is too tight - where forks will stay put where pointed unless bars
are turned with more force than usual. This would be noticeable while cornering as well as possibly
feeling "centered" when riding straight ahead.

Forks (and frame) have a much greater effect and steering will feel weird all the time if something
is wrong. The fact the problem only occured after the crash makes me think it's more likely to be
the forks. But this is very difficult to diagnose on a newsgroup. Someone with experience of duff
forks would know the instant they rode the bike, so it'll be good to get some more people (pref
mechanics) to test ride it.

~PB