Headset Bearings: Love them or they'll hate you!

We talked, last week, about Headset Bearings; what they are, what they do, how to recognise them and what you need to consider when replacing them.

That was a lot of information, so we thought it best to leave the maintenance and checks until today. Phew!

So, here we go - showing your Headset Bearings some love!

 

The Warning Signs You Can't Ignore

Your bike will tell you when your headset bearings need attention – you just need to know how to listen:

Movement and Play Test: Put your handle bars side on, put your hand at the top of the head tube where it meets the headset spacers, apply the front brake and move the handlebars forwards and backwards and if you feel any play then your headset needs adjusted.  Once adjusted move the handlebars from left to right, checking if there is roughness and if there is, your bearings need replaced. 

The Wobble Check: Lift the front wheel and turn the handlebars slowly. They should move smoothly without any notchy feeling or loose play.

The Visual Inspection: Look for rust stains around the headset area or any visible wear on the bearing surfaces.

 

Why UK Riders Face Unique Challenges

Here in the UK, our headset bearings work overtime. Our unpredictable weather means constant exposure to moisture, and our muddy trails are particularly harsh on these components. Add in the salt from winter road riding or living in a coastal area, and you've got a perfect storm for bearing deterioration.

 

Are you a sweaty rider?

On a scale of 1-to-10 just how sweaty are you?  Sweat contains salt so dripping sweat over your headset is not going to do your headset and/or bearings any favours.  This is another prime reason for premature bearing deterioration.

 

The Real Cost of Neglect

Ignoring your headset bearings isn't just about comfort – it's about safety and money.

Worn bearings can lead to:

• Unpredictable steering response
• Damage to your fork and steerer tube
• Premature wear of your headset cups (or frame surfaces on IS headsets)
• A complete headset replacement instead of just new bearings

The Simple Maintenance Routine That Changes Everything

Here's the routine that will keep your headset bearings running smoothly for as long as possible:

Weekly Quick Checks: Complete the checks highlighted above.

Seasonal Deep Clean: Remove, clean, and regrease your bearings. Perfect for those rainy days when you can't ride. Any bearing grease will be sufficient.  

Additionally, it is advisable to regrease your bearing cups (Zero Stack and External Cup Headsets) or bearing seats (Integrated headset)

BE CAREFUL THOUGH!  Use grease that is suitable for your bike when greasing your bearing cups or seats.  A standard grease is okay for Alloy frames; however, if you have a carbon frame you must use a carbon-specific grease to ensure that the carbon is not damaged by the grease.

Post-Ride Care: A quick wipe-down of the headset area after muddy and wet rides prevents long-term damage.

 

Wrapping up!

That was way more straight forward than last week 😆

Bottom line - the headset is an area of your bike where it is much easier to maintain than the likes of pivots as they're much more accessible! So, take advantage of this!

Follow the routine above and complete your checks and you're flying! It doesn't take long and your headset will love you for it!