How critical is perfect headset adjustment?

[PJay]

After removing my forks and cleaning up my headset I refitted everything and
re-adjusted the headset. I took care to check for the removal of all play
and then just nudged things on a little to be sure. I tightened up the stem
bolts and double checked play. Just to be sure I took it along to the bike
shop to be checked and was given the ok.

On a ride today I popped into another bike shop for some grease and
mentioned a small ticking noise I'd noticed in the top headset cup. They had
a quick look and I was rather disappointed when they said that there was a
small amount of play in the top cup. They kindly adjusted it for me (about
1/4 turn above what I'd done) and said that there would have been no harm in
me riding the bike as I'd set it up, which was a bit of a both (they also
mentioned that since I'd recently grease the headset and then riden the
bike, about 7 miles, that it might have just been things settling in).

However I do feel a tad nervous about adjusting my headset again in case I
get it wrong, I certainly couldn't feel any play so I might be prone to
errors. I was wondering just how critical it is to adjust the headset spot
on, is there any margin for error (eg. no play that I can 'detect') or will
I end up damaging something (I've heard about ovalised headtubes).

Just thought I'd ask.

 

[Jon Senior]

On Wed, 03 May 2006 23:08:24 +0100, PJay wrote:
> However I do feel a tad nervous about adjusting my headset again in case I
> get it wrong, I certainly couldn't feel any play so I might be prone to
> errors. I was wondering just how critical it is to adjust the headset spot
> on, is there any margin for error (eg. no play that I can 'detect') or will
> I end up damaging something (I've heard about ovalised headtubes).

Ovalising headtubes is more likely to occur if your headset is loose, than
if it's too tight. If the bearings in your headset are cartridge ones that
can easily be replaced (races and all) then treat them as disposible. If
your LBS is reasonably friendly, get someone there to explain what they do
when adjusting headsets.

Jon

 

[[email protected]]

Adjust it until it is too tight, and then loosen a quarter turn. That
should be okay. Slightly loose never caused me any problem.

 

[Paul - xxx]

PJay came up with the following;:

> On a ride today I popped into another bike shop for some grease and
> mentioned a small ticking noise I'd noticed in the top headset cup. They
> had a quick look and I was rather disappointed when they said that there
> was a small amount of play in the top cup. They kindly adjusted it for me
> (about 1/4 turn above what I'd done) and said that there would have been
> no harm in me riding the bike as I'd set it up, which was a bit of a both
> (they also mentioned that since I'd recently grease the headset and then
> riden the bike, about 7 miles, that it might have just been things
> settling in).

Sounds bang on ... An LBS I'd go to again if I were you.

> However I do feel a tad nervous about adjusting my headset again in case I
> get it wrong, I certainly couldn't feel any play so I might be prone to
> errors. I was wondering just how critical it is to adjust the headset spot
> on, is there any margin for error (eg. no play that I can 'detect') or
> will I end up damaging something (I've heard about ovalised headtubes).

Ovalised head tubes come mostly from headsets that are too loose, and that
isn't just 1/4 turn too loose, it's many turns too looose and ridden like
that for a long while. Sounds to me as though you did it spot on but that
settling in occurred pretty quickly and they needed 'nipping up' a tad.
Perfectly normal, I'd let you do up my headsets based upon how you describe
your process.

Basically it's 'feel' for tightness of heads, as with many bearings sets,
some people can easily do it, some can't. With practice you'll only get
better.

--
Paul ...
(8(|) Homer Rules ..... Doh !!!