Stiff headset, normal?

[jimmy156]

So I’ve noticed when my bike’s been sat for a week or so, the handlebars are really stuff to turn initially. A turning them this way and that for 20 seconds or so loosens things up. Is this normal or does something need attention? I’d rather address it sooner rather than later if it’s an issue.

Also, is there a trick for getting frame protection tape off? My bike came supplied with some, and the leading edge of the piece on the chainstay is collecting crud and grime under it, but I can’t seem to get the bloody stuff off!

[Maracus]

I have this too.

On removing the headset, the bearings are a bit rusty, so I've ordered a pair.

[Simes205]

Change your headset.
Hair dryer to remove tape.

[jimmy156]

Hmm shame to hear it might need a new headset, the bike is under a year old and only just ticked over having done 3000km... seems premature?

Hair dryer sounds like a good shout!

[Barchettaman]

Could be that the preload is a bit too much.

Maybe worth looking at a YT video or two and resetting the preload. It’s easy to do.

[Simes205]

jimmy156 said:

Hmm shame to hear it might need a new headset, the bike is under a year old and only just ticked over having done 3000km... seems premature?

Hair dryer sounds like a good shout!

Strip it down take a look.

[jimmy156]

Simes205 said:

jimmy156 said:

Hmm shame to hear it might need a new headset, the bike is under a year old and only just ticked over having done 3000km... seems premature?

Hair dryer sounds like a good shout!

Strip it down take a look.

Wouldn’t know what to look for tbh, I’d be afraid of making matters worse trying to adjust it too 😂.

A trip to the local bike shop in the new year I think. Pretty certain it’s not urgent! Doesn’t seem to be getting any worse

[BrundanBianchi]

jimmy156 said:

So I’ve noticed when my bike’s been sat for a week or so, the handlebars are really stuff to turn initially. A turning them this way and that for 20 seconds or so loosens things up. Is this normal or does something need attention? I’d rather address it sooner rather than later if it’s an issue.

Also, is there a trick for getting frame protection tape off? My bike came supplied with some, and the leading edge of the piece on the chainstay is collecting crud and grime under it, but I can’t seem to get the bloody stuff off!

Re: the headset. Yes, it’s perfectly normal for the headset to be stiff for a couple of turns, if it’s been left for a while, especially if it was washed / got wet before it was left. It’s just the grease in the bearings settling away from the ball bearings. Turning the steering from side to side redistributes the grease, and the steering moves freely again. As long as there is no play in the headset ( turn the bars 90 degrees to the frame and rock the bike forwards and backwards to see if there is any play ) then there’s no issues worth worrying about. If it’s an open cup type arrangement, put some more grease on the ball bearings and re set the headset, if it uses sealed cartridge angle contact bearings ( the vast majority of modern road bikes do ) then the procedure I mentioned earlier will work.

[BlueComet]

Bearings on bicycles (even mtbs) have very little protection against water ingress. I die a little inside whenever I see someone washing their ride with a hosepipe or pressure washer.

[BrundanBianchi]

BlueComet said:

Bearings on bicycles (even mtbs) have very little protection against water ingress. I die a little inside whenever I see someone washing their ride with a hosepipe or pressure washer.

It will wash the grease out eventually, sealed cartridges take longer than open cup and cones. You can get away with a fair few hosepipe washes before you get a siezed bearing, or the wear is bad enough to give enough play to worry about though. I have to chuckle when I’m Karchering my bikes and someone starts the sucking air through the teeth thing. It’s a couple of ACBs at worst, and even then it takes ages to knacker them through washing, they knacker a lot quicker if you don’t wash the crap off the bike.

[jimmy156]

Thanks gents,

The bikes gets washed after almost every ride at the moment as it get so caked in crud on the lanes around here, so that makes sense!

I do use a hose, but we have naff all water pressure and I don’t spray it too directly at the headset/bars as they are not frequently muddy!

[mikecassie]

The lower headset bearing is probably the culprit. I had this and the LBS where I got new bearings from advised me to pack the bearing area with plenty grease to keep the muck thrown up from the front wheel away from the bearings.
I've done this and the bearings have lasted a lot longer than previously, I drop the forks once a year and clean the old grease away and apply fresh grease.

[Bathroom_Security]

BlueComet said:

Bearings on bicycles (even mtbs) have very little protection against water ingress. I die a little inside whenever I see someone washing their ride with a hosepipe or pressure washer.

I use a 140 bar handheld gun and make sure to get it all the way in the gaps

Just means I have to regrease frequently. Which is good, because the amount of sand that gets in anyway is absurd and would have to do it anyway. basically strip down the entire bike once a month and get it lubed up, yet in summer barely touch it.

[mike9009]

BlueComet said:

Bearings on bicycles (even mtbs) have very little protection against water ingress. I die a little inside whenever I see someone washing their ride with a hosepipe or pressure washer.

We live next to the sea. I die a little when I see people cycling on the beach and into the sea....... arrrggghhhh!

I used to jetwash my bikes as a kid because they would get absolutely caked. I did spend much time regreasing and replacing the BB and wheel bearings as a consequence. ( Yes, it was before sealed BBs!!)

[shalmaneser]

jimmy156 said:

Thanks gents,

The bikes gets washed after almost every ride at the moment as it get so caked in crud on the lanes around here, so that makes sense!

I do use a hose, but we have naff all water pressure and I don’t spray it too directly at the headset/bars as they are not frequently muddy!

Have a quick look at youtube for how to adjust a headset.

It sounds like it's just a tiny bit tight to me. It really is easy, just needs a 4/5mm allen key. It's incredibly worthwhile understanding the very basics of how a bike works so you're not beholden to your local bike shop any time anything needs a very minor tweak.