Does your headset need servicing?
Gran Prix Stripes

Of late it has become apparent in the workshop that headsets are needing more attention than they are getting. The main reason that it hasn't been noticed previously is that it has been so darned dry. Now many people are getting either caught in the rain when out on a ride, or simply riding in the rain because they don't want to miss a ride. Which I completely understand, ride more I say. Getting your bike wet really isn't a great problem normally, but, and there always is a but, of late many bikes have been coming in with headsets that are chock full of RUST!!!

If your headset is in need of attention the symptoms are:

Water can get inside your frame from many places and work its way into your headset. There are two approaches to preventing this becoming a problem for you and I recommend doing both if you can.

Firstly, seal up your bike. Often bikes will have a slot in the seat tube to allow the frame to clamp your seat post properly. This is a prime location for water to enter your frame and will run up to your headset if the bike is ever tipped up or turned upside down. Water in the frame will also help to destroy your bottom bracket, but that's another story altogether. Solution: get an old hybrid or MTB tube (we have plenty of them in the shop that are destined for the bin) that you can cut a section out of and slip over your seat post and seat tube to stop the water getting in. The second place that water is likely to get in is in the lower headset cup. Water is flicked off the front wheel and if there's not a good seal, water will get in. Unfortunately the only way to get around this is usually to replace the headset with a new item that seals better, and this is often difficult, especially for bikes with integrated headsets.

Secondly, "Clean and Grease". This is what we do in the shop to keep everything running in tip top shape. This involves disconnecting the fork from the bike, cleaning the bearings, applying fresh grease and then re-assembling the parts. If you are confident doing this then definitely make it a ritual after you've been out in the wet. You can ask for this to be done at any bike shop, so in winter it's a good idea to ask to have it done on top of your normal service.

Lastly, sealed bearing headsets are just as susceptible to this problem as normal open cup designs. Probably one of the easiest things that can be done is to let the water out of the frame. There is a bolt located under almost all bikes that attaches the cable guide to the bottom bracket shell. Simply take the bolt out and let the water out. This may be easy but it's also very effective in preventing internal damage. Of course, please put the bolt back in when you're done.