| | | | | | | | | Is it a bug or a feature? Handlebar/stem quirks... | | | | | |
Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:20 am |
|
|
dangit |
|
|
|
Joined: 29 Aug 2008 |
Posts: 12 |
Location: Kassel, Germany |
|
|
|
Well, as you all know I recently purchased my first Gitane. Now one thing strikes me as odd as I've never experienced anything like this nor heard of it. The handlebar/stem seems to "lock" in the "default" position as if it was specifically made for racing straights. Since I don't know if this is design or a fault in the construction I thought I'd ask here. It is a bit hard to explain and that's why I've attached the vid.
If anyone could enlighten me I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v15838501DDp385HC
Cheers,
Daniel. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:25 pm |
|
|
sandranian |
Site Admin |
|
|
Joined: 27 Feb 2006 |
Posts: 2701 |
Location: Southern California |
|
|
|
That is a problem with the headset: It is, most probably, worn out. This is called (in slang) "indexing" of the headset. A bearing or some bearings cause "dents" or impressions in the bearing race, so it sticks in one position or another. You will have to replace that headset.
This is, most probably, the problem. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 4:44 am |
|
|
dangit |
|
|
|
Joined: 29 Aug 2008 |
Posts: 12 |
Location: Kassel, Germany |
|
|
|
Thanks for the input, Stephan. Today I took the headset apart to have a look if I could find anything. The bearings and the walls (bearing race?) didn't offer any new insights. It seems as if it's like you described it. I guess I'll have to let go of my beautiful Dura Ace headset.
Cheers,
Daniel. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Headset rescue | | | | | |
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:45 pm |
|
|
verktyg |
|
|
|
Joined: 14 Jan 2007 |
Posts: 2814 |
Location: SF Bay Area |
|
|
|
Daniel,
You can do a temporary fix by rotating the fork crown race or the bottom headset cup a little so that the bearings don't sit in the divots. Also use loose bearings. This may make the headset usable for a little while longer.
There are special tools for removing the crown race and bearing cup.
Chas. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Re: Headset rescue | | | | | |
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:16 pm |
|
|
dangit |
|
|
|
Joined: 29 Aug 2008 |
Posts: 12 |
Location: Kassel, Germany |
|
|
|
verktyg wrote: |
Daniel,
You can do a temporary fix by rotating the fork crown race or the bottom headset cup a little so that the bearings don't sit in the divots. Also use loose bearings. This may make the headset usable for a little while longer.
There are special tools for removing the crown race and bearing cup.
Chas. |
Thanks for the helpful advice, Chas. I noticed the same effect you're describing above after opening the headset yesterday. I know there are special tools for virtually every nut on a bike but I managed to do it without those and without causing any unnecessary damage.
Again, I appreciate all the input you kind folks are giving here. Thanks,
daniel. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:47 am |
|
|
dangit |
|
|
|
Joined: 29 Aug 2008 |
Posts: 12 |
Location: Kassel, Germany |
|
|
|
Hey all,
after a while of absence and fun of riding my Gitane I've decided that I want to replace the headset but I have the wee problem of not knowing all the details. I want to make sure I get the right headset. Does anyone here know the specific size of the crown race?
I appreciate any help and input. Thanks in advance,
Daniel. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:13 am |
|
|
Gtane |
|
|
|
Joined: 14 Sep 2007 |
Posts: 681 |
Location: UK |
|
|
|
Dangit,
It's probably a 1" headset (complete unit including top and bottom races) but you'll need to measure the outside diameter of the fork tube to be sure.
Other forum members may well have further information here before a definitive decision is cast.
It might be worth posting your old headset measurements.
Tim |
|
_________________ Everything has a cycle |
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Headset size | | | | | |
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:37 am |
|
|
verktyg |
|
|
|
Joined: 14 Jan 2007 |
Posts: 2814 |
Location: SF Bay Area |
|
|
|
Most better quality headsets have the size stamped into the top threaded parts: 25 x 1, 25.4 x 24, 1 x 24 etc. I would check these first.
Measuring the steering tube is not necessarily a good way to determine the thread size. I've seen inch size steering tubes with metric threads. You need to use a thread pitch gage and measure the threads themselves.
You may need to remove the fork crown bearing race to determine whether it's 26.4mm or 27mm diameter. Sometimes there is enough material sticking out above the crown race to get a measurement.
Good luck,
Chas. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:20 am |
|
|
dangit |
|
|
|
Joined: 29 Aug 2008 |
Posts: 12 |
Location: Kassel, Germany |
|
|
|
Tim and Chas,
thanks much for your helpful and fast replies. The headset I've been riding so far is, as mentioned above, a Dura Ace Headset. The size is indeed stamped on the inside: 25x1. Compared to most modern headsets it has a rather thick stack height of 41,5 mm. Just to make sure I also measured the outside diameter of the fork tube and that would be 32,5 mm. I'll try to remove the race tomorrow.
Thanks,
Daniel. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:30 pm |
|
|
verktyg |
|
|
|
Joined: 14 Jan 2007 |
Posts: 2814 |
Location: SF Bay Area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:09 am |
|
|
dangit |
|
|
|
Joined: 29 Aug 2008 |
Posts: 12 |
Location: Kassel, Germany |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Wrong stack height | | | | | |
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:35 am |
|
|
verktyg |
|
|
|
Joined: 14 Jan 2007 |
Posts: 2814 |
Location: SF Bay Area |
|
|
|
Daniel,
The Campagnolo headset is a Gran Sport model and only has a 34mm stack height. The Motobecane is a very low quality headset and the stack height is probably less than 30mm.
Chas. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
|