Bike Headset Bearing Types, Identification, Compatibility, and Specification Guide

[@audiosabre]

You're an absolute legend. I've gone from confusion, to knowing the terminology and exact standards/parts I need to fit my new fork. Bookmarked for future reference.

[@2hiperkemanci]

the most informative video about headsets I have ever seen on KZbin.

[@abelwesson3767]

I know Im asking the wrong place but does anyone know a way to log back into an instagram account?? I somehow forgot the password. I love any help you can offer me.

[@remyalvin6603]

@Abel Wesson instablaster =)

[@abelwesson3767]

@Remy Alvin Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@abelwesson3767]

@Remy Alvin It worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my ass :D

[@remyalvin6603]

@Abel Wesson No problem =)

[@UKViking]

After many difficult months of not understanding my headset, I found this video. My pain is gone.

[@bowleggedbear]

This was so very helpful. Thank you. The voice distortion played out like a story. You're obviously sharing secret occult bike knowledge, and have to disguise your voice for the safety of you and your family. It's not easy being a bicycle heretic, freeing the masses. Thanks again.

[@williamensign1408]

One of the most, if not the most comprehensive video about bike components ever. Thanks.

[@chrisprice3493]

This might be 4 Years old, but the best video for information on headsets. Cheers John.

[@jeffs9875]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video! When I bought my Mountain Bike they tell you nothing about this. Now that I am up grading my front shocks I was again'st a wall trying to figure it all out. You laid it all out and it so simple.

[@grahamyoung2261]

very clear, very professional, wee explained, no wise cracks every 30 seconds.... perfect good channel

[@RidesInforests]

John you are amazing. This stuff has been so helpfull. Just started at a pro bike shop in uk and my head is swimming.

[@jiw71]

thank you! you just taught an old dog new tricks. Very detailed, informative and easily understood!

[@MakeMajor]

this probably took a lot of time to make, but thank you so much! i'm replacing a headset on my vintage bike and this video helped me clear out a lot of things cheers

[@peterdon3596]

Absolutely excellent video. Great to have the index at the start. Data much appreciated.

[@billheintz4529]

Thanks, I picked up a yard sale bike with an integrated headtube, however the bearings on the top of the steer-tube were external and on the bottom of the steer-tube were missing. This video helped me sort out what I needed.

[@jesseharris1737]

Good sir, I shall nominate you for best video on KZbin! Well done! Bravo!

[@skyhigh9474]

Glad I watched this video. The chart for Integrated Threadless bearings and the angles needed was so helpful. I looked all over to decide the angles for my 1 1/8 1 1/2 tapered fork. Now I know. You are my hero today.

[@tracimckinney9736]

im fixing up some bikes for kids that live close by. this helped a ton. thank you so much buddy

[@Paul_Gale]

My brain hurts after listening to all that mess. I'm glad I could follow your explanations. well done ,just subbed

[@jafo4775]

I kinda like the music. Relaxing, when my few remaining brain cells are straining to take in the info. Great vid. thanks.

[@abuzman123]

I agree with Prof. Mustafa - best headset explanation I have ever seen.

[@marian7965]

Great video, many thanks. Exact, systematic and detailed description. Helps a lot to me. Thx!

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

Oh THANK YOU! I did my 1st repack of my headset bearings last night, complete success but today I woke up and was like "Yo what did I even do?! What was that lil split ring and what was that nut inside my fork called?!" lol thanks again for helping me understand, I think I got it, I want to install a new fork, just need to save up for one now hahaha!

[@rafaelfiol3857]

First let me begin by saying that this is the most informative video I have seen on the topic. Before watching it, I was only familiar with external threaded headsets and had no experience with any of threadless styles. One important point to note is that you must be very careful when making definitive statements about any technology that is subject to change over time. In your video, you state that “threaded headsets all are external”. That may very well have been the case when you made the video in 2017 - but by 2020, semi-integrated threaded headsets were also available. The NECO H184 on my Lectric XP eBIke (manufactured in 2020) is an example of such a headset.

[@johnthebikeguy]

That’s one of those things that didn’t exist when I made the video. Plus, that shouldn’t really exist - some horrible, mega-cheap, decision by someone in Asia. Or, catering to the worst type of cyclists - newbies that want their stem ultra high and are too cheap to buy an adjustable or high threadless stem. Or, they just had a crapload of surplus frames, threaded forks, and just podged something together. Might as well have had a cottered crank. I’d never buy anything with a threaded stem unless it was a vintage Colnago.

[@AndThenSome71]

I'm late to the party, but wow! You covered everything! Had all my questions answered, and much more! Thanks so much!

[@florinsgondea6124]

Extremely informational and detailed video. Please make a video regarding the crank system. You are very knowledgeable.

[@vrproductreviews6330]

best viewed at 1.5 speed. Good info. Thanks for posting this.

[@MechanicalEI]

JohnTheBikeGuy, Great Video. The demonstration was perfectly supported by your explanation. Thanks for uploading!

[@delaguitara]

Thanks for that!!! Thoroughly enjoyed it and your information was invaluable and very useful. Two thumbs up.

[@keyboardcritic]

Thanks for the information, I was totally lost before watching this. Great job 👍

[@LTPottenger]

Sooo helpful. I took two bikes apart and am trying to salavge good parts from one and suddenly realized had no idea what was what lol

[@classydays43]

Long ass, but bad ass. You just made my life so much easier.

[@Orisman9]

Very informative and the music fit just great! Thank you!!

[@gyulakovacs1334]

Dear JOHN, this video is very helpful , thanks a lot .

[@tsizzle]

LOL, hilarious... i wonder if Chef John watches this channel??? 😂

[@asamusicdude]

T Sizzle love food wishes

[@picox8]

and as always... enjooooooy

[@mcduffrobert]

Hey John, what about using a tapered 1 1/8 to 1 1/2 fork into a straight head tube which has a internal head tube of 44mm. I think you need a external bottom cup that is 44mm outside that will fit up into the head tube and the bearing would then sit outside of the head tube. Is this possible?

[@jediplan1]

I had the same situation, very straight forward explanation.

[@piyux]

What an impressive video, very informative, finally I have the information I need. Ignore those mentally challenged that always find something to criticize. This is an awesome video, period.

[@ebonymochi1790]

This was very helpful because I ordered a bike for a gift from amazon and the headset and steering wasn't connecting. Now I understand why and what type of headset. It's a thread-less headset.

[@jonathanfarrely83]

thanks for this video i asked loads of bike mechanics on youtube to do a video like this as nobody has one on this very confusing subject im suprised you havent more views as my cycling group on facebook are always asking advice on this topic

[@bradharper9282]

Thanks a bunch for the information. I'm ordering a fork for my old Cannondale (Using headset reducers, hate the headshok). Just seeing the assembly gave me a much better understanding. (Keep the music, I love it)

[@lazmotron]

Thanks for this knowledge filled, information packed, educational video. Very interesting.

[@tobyhood3314]

John. I'm going to float a concept to you. At 9:35 You sternly said not to insert a star nut into a carbon steerer. For the most part, I agree.Now I repair carbon frames for a living. A more common issure I am seeing is through poor pre ride checks and maintenence, carbon steerers are wearing a groove right where the compression split ring is located at the top of the stem. What these carbon steerer inserts fail to do is hold the stem in place over time. for example, as a rider hits a large bump in the road, the weight goes down on the handlebars and causes the steerer to deform allowing the stem to "creep" up the steerer causing the headset to come loose. Now there is movement, the steerer will were out on anything that it touches. I have been encouraging mechanics to look into ways of inserting an alloy shim and fixing with epoxy. Then inserting a starnut. This will not work in all cases, but is a lifesaver for the fork. I have done this on all forks that have been repaired and they have never shown sign of wear again. Food for thought.

[@danielnagy9717]

Thank you, it helped me a lot before buying one.

[@robpeters5204]

Thank you for a very simple explanation!!!

[@9987molly]

Great vid and very informative. What if I just need to replace the cartidge bearings and not the whole headset? How to i determine the size of the Bearings for the cups?

[@Methodical2]

Learned a lot more about headsets. Thanks

[@shacharlee9150]

Thank you really helped loads didn't know there was so many different types wow 👏

[@arirezaiskandar2710]

Truly holistic information, thanks Bro!

[@zdravo4]

Hello and thank you for this video. It’s very straightforward, clean and understandable for me as a noob. Big like and subscribe!

[@GokkunGuru]

At 1:58 you speak of external headset threadless. The bearings are pressed into the cup. Does that mean it can’t be separated for replacement?

[@johnthebikeguy]

They come out. Depends on the headset on how easy they come out, but they all do. In my experience, they don’t need replacing. If they’re sealed cartridges, they’re pretty resilient except in perhaps very extreme abuse like downhill, but still I wouldn’t expect needing to. Bear in mind, headset bearings when compared to a wheel bearing, don’t rotate or have any need for extremely low resistance to rotation. If my arms can turn a shit headset on a Walmart bike so easily that it’s not noticeable, I don’t see the need for high end headsets or expensive bearings.

[@jimirsmith6247]

If I have a one inch threadless steer tube on an older bike is it possible to change it to 1 1/8 external threadless as long as the new steer tub e fits through the bike,?

[@zaccheusmaynard1831]

Great video, however I'm looking for info on fitting a 1 1/8 - 1 1/2 tapered fork to straight head tube, But my frame's inner headtube measures 34mm... I know of adapters but how do I go about choosing the right 1 ?

[@johnthebikeguy]

Not possible as far as I know. You’d need a special extender on the bottom that keeps the fork from coming into contact with the ID of the head tube. 1.5” is bigger than 34mm.

[@WarpigGunsout]

why did you modified your voice?, feel like I'm watching a video on how to make drugs. I liked the video

[@johnthebikeguy]

Aarón because I can.

[@antdx316]

@@johnthebikeguy I thought the voice was real. Do you wish your voice was like that naturally or you did it to be funny and it's worse?

[@ussmillerco]

The voice is one thing, the music makes me depressed and want to end it all.....but I’m interested in the headset types so There is my reason to live

[@tomcatoda2652]

@@johnthebikeguy because IM BATMAN!

[@Joltinjess5]

"It uses the lotion or it gets the hose again!"

[@bryanlaygond]

What exactly is the angle??? You never mentioned it in the video. You did mention they are correlated to the bearing size in integrated headtubes but what exactly is it?

[@lambo908]

I bought a 34mm risk headset stupidly without measuring first and it's the same width as my headtube. So I would need a 30mm and a 1inch steertube or a 1/8? Still a newbie at this so any help would be much appreciated!

[@davejoseph5615]

At 2:43 you say the split-ring is the inner race? I thought the split ring presses against the inner race?

[@johnthebikeguy]

Maybe upper race? I made this video a while back, don’t remember what I said. Split ring goes on top, above the upper bearing, below the top cap.

[@davejoseph5615]

@@johnthebikeguy Yeah, the upper-race which is sort-of an inner-race. I'm just thinking that the race isn't split because would you really want the balls rolling over a split?

[@johnthebikeguy]

@@davejoseph5615 I’m guessing that I was explaining a sealed cartridge bearing, and you’re thinking of a caged bearing. The split ring applies to cartridge bearings where the bearing has both races, but it’s essentially one unit. The split ring race is an intermediary between the sealed bearing which already has two races and the fork. The kind of headset with caged/loose ball bearings use a similar race, but it’s not split. It’s not aluminum either - usually a hardened steel. It is usually paired with a plastic or metal shim that performs the same function as the split ring race mentioned before. By race, I use the term similarly to the crown race, and the split ring race is the upper race that performs the same function as the crown race, it’s just on top.

[@seanhill7942]

Thanks John. Great video. I'm trying to adapt a 11/8 steerer to a giant overdrive head tube which is a 47mm lower diameter. I've got an Acros 33/47 bearing but the adapter ring won't go all the way down the steerer to fit onto the fork. Should I give it a tap to force it into place? Thanks if youre still following this thread.

[@seanhill7942]

I meant 30/47...

[@buiux]

Thanks for the video. I'm buying a frame with a integrated headtube of 1 1/8 top - 1 1/4 bottom. Using a integrated headset of the same measure i can use a fork with a straight steertube of 1 1/8 diameter? Will i need an adaptor. Thansk again for the video and atention.

[@nobodyeverwashere]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me

[@newttella1043]

This video is a gem .

[@drewty9082]

I have a Rockshox Judy Silver TK 120mm travel speed.. I am having trouble finding a headset size that will fit my fork. please let me know what size should I get. Thanks in advance! cheers

[@alexnrsb6196]

Absolutely amazing video. Thanks!

[@white_shadow_123]

So I have semi integrated 44mm headtube with straight steertube 28.6mm. Could I somehow use tapered steertube, by changing the cups and bearings? I just need to find the cups that are 28.6mm/44mm for the top and 38.1mm/44mm on the bottom and it should work?

[@AncientGreek]

How do I know which cup/bearing goes on top and which one goes on the bottom?

[@cristibaluta]

Thank you for this, now i know what i need to buy.

[@eywang]

9:35 😮 Thank you for making this point!

[@scottiusnevious5143]

I have a threadless stem but the bearings are that of a threaded headset. What can I do to use the external bearing kits?

[@fmphotooffice5513]

Simple, straightforward. Thanks. In the future, edit in still pictures from your phone showing the caliper where it goes, showing the numeric display. Don't hate the threaded. It was just the state of the art at the time, even in high-end bikes.

[@Fifa-ep4jg]

thank you for the vid you made my life so much easy

[@seanmcaleavy2369]

Very informative and helpful! Thanks a lot!

[@JFWILSON220]

Hi John, thank you for this video, i have an alloy dedacciai frame that i won on ebay without any headset or forks, i tried the integrated bearing races from a new set, (the bearings measure 7mm in depth); and it fits the bottom head tube fine but the top of the head tube is shallower and the bearing race sticks above headtube approx 1.5mm...is this normal?..not sure if its suppose to be like that and it perhaps originally had a top cup with a cowling that covered it....all the headsets i've seen so far seem to have top cup race covers that are flat like casino chips, so the race is seen. The frame's from about 2010 so hoping the headset is not obsolete, do you know of frames that have a deeper bottom bearing seat than the top bearing seat? Any help appreciated, cheers Jo

[@AbideinChristSealed]

This answered my question. I have 44mm straight top and bottom headtube, and I wanted to know if I can use tapered fork. No :(

[@coevad3961]

Great video. Really helped a lot. Thank you!

[@netekv]

awesome! thanks.. please keep making more! and I think the music was a good choice.

[@markjmaxwell9819]

Thanks for the infomation very informative.....👍

[@johndebellis19]

john - thank you for the video. I have watched your video several times and bought tow headsets that do not fit my 2015 trek 7.2 FX. Can you help me understand what headset can fit my bike? I have ordered 1 1/8" threadless twice but the bearings DO NOT fit into my steer tube. Should I be looking for bearings or a whole headset? Im ot that good at this , so can you suggest brand and part numbers also?

[@jimirsmith6247]

I want to upgrade the forks on an old chrome aluminum rockhopper with a threadless head set. I'm i on the right track here?

[@brendaleetv]

I have a Motobecane Gravel x3 and it has caged bearings, now my friend wants to change it to external pressed bearings, for his new carbon fibre fork steerer of 1 1/8". But his measures top headset I.D. 41mm and O.D 46.8mm and cant find anything that will fit that bike. Any suggestions?

[@beamaybelarmino3437]

can we convert the threaded system into external headset non tapered headset? thank you in advance on answering

[@johnthebikeguy]

I see it’s edited - the unedited, no. You can convert most any threaded headset into threadless with a different fork and external threadless headset. Most are the 30mm / 1” for threaded, but 34mm / 1-1/8” threaded do exist as well. When threadless first came out, they didn’t modify frames, just the forks and stems. It wasn’t until a few years later that integrated and internal styles came out.

[@beamaybelarmino3437]

@@johnthebikeguy meaning I cannot modified it in a semi integrated headset. But I can change it into external headset. It is very hard to find headset to my fork that has a size of 2.54mm and have an stem adaptor that has a size of 25.4 -> 28.6 :(

[@rickyll9745]

where did you get the first black fork you showed? Is that fork from a specific frameset or is it a aftermarket fork?

[@porcupineconcepts2804]

Rickyll97 it was an old frame that I painted. I made it for someone a few years ago.

[@TrickMini]

Custom Headset Can you suggest a solution? Frame Cup Outside Diameter = 44mm Crown race Inside diameter = 27mm Fork tube O.D. = 25.4mm

[@johnthebikeguy]

No, it sounds like you’re trying to pair a 1” fork with a frame made only for 1-1/8. As far as I know, nothing exists. Unless someone makes an adapter headset.

[@natkingcol909]

Great video chef...

[@anaverageeverydaynormaldud1804]

thank you for this information and the numbers. now im sure my headtube are a 34mm thank you!

[@matthewtaylor2965]

I brought my friends round we partied all night to your music in your video was the best party we have ever had, great video great music maybe think about some disk jockey and don’t listen to those nob jockeys

[@johnthebikeguy]

Matthew Taylor best response yet!

[@keithelek410]

I have Northrock XC00 and the entire headset was stripped off the bike. The headtube is tapered. The bottom is 50.469 and the top is 43.713. I need another headset, any help would be very much appreciated.

[@davidrussell8918]

I have a 1 1/8 fork and a frame that has a 32mm headtube. Is there a way to install that fork.

[@johnthebikeguy]

Never heard of that size. 1” is 30, 1-1/8” is 34 for external cup headset head tube ids. I’m sure they’re designed in a way that there isn’t any extra space, meaning that lacking those 2mm, there may not be any room to fit the headset and fork in the head tube. That is, assuming there’s a 1-1/8” headset with a 32mm compatibility, which I’ve never heard of. Unless you’re not accurate with your measurement, probably not.

[@ycls2004]

Here is an odd one. I got a bike made by FOCUS. The fork seemed to wiggle so I disassembled it (aluminum washers were stuck and the stem was rusty). It seems to have an Internal \ Integrated headset. But what is most baffling, under the bearings' cup, there was no bearing cage what so ever. The balls, 34 with some missing, are directly held by the cup and supported by the head tube. I haven't removed the lower bearings yet so I am not sure this is intentional. Often, the bearing cage inside bottom brackets falls apart and crumbles. Could this have happened in the headset as well ? Non of the videos watched on KZbin suggest there is such a design. Any help would be appreciated.

[@AeroDoggo]

Is it normal for an integrated bearing to be very tight when installing into the head tube? I measured with calipers and the head tube is 51.70mm inside for a 1 1/2 bearing. The bike shop said that they could install the bottom bearing using a bearing press but in all the videos I've seen the bearing seems to just easily fit inside.

[@socialfreak6900]

quick question: i have a bmx that i converted to electric and iv been wanting to swap my front threaded forks to threadless suspension forks, my current steerer tube is 1", the suspension steerer tube is 1 1/8", and the inner diameter of my bmx's headtube is roughly1 1/4" (its 32.5mm). i know the fit might be very tight but do you think its possible to put the threadless suspension forks on my bmx if i switch the headset to a 1 1/8" threadless headset? if so what parts would you recommend for me to make it work? iv seen it done before but none of the posts iv seen have mentioned how to do it

[@JIBBING_1980S]

2021 headset explained? New version maybe..

[@lereveure]

absolute amazing content!!!! thank you sir! new subscriber here!

[@vishnupv6867]

Absolutely informative. THANKZZ

[@gionnic8922]

I'm looking to upgrade my Vp-a71 headset to one with sealed bearings. All that I find have a taller stack height. How do I know if they'll work on my bike?

[@kevinnorman2588]

Hate threaded stems but they are super easy to build/ disassemble but I have always wanted to know the magic behind that little nut that holds handlebars and forks together

[@6ty8stang]

What Raceface headset was that on the first bike

[@luismanrique5373]

I wish you would share a pdf of this document...

[@samfree8907]

Well explained! I was actually looking for an outer headset for a gravel bike. Can you recommend any (Mid/high priced) brands I can buy online?

[@samfree8907]

I mean Chris King costs start from 170€ is it worth it to spend that much?

[@birthaappleshirt7404]

I know my bike has a 1 1/8 straight steerer fork, so could I just buy any 1 1/8 headset kit and not have to measure anything?

[@cesarsoto852]

Great video very helpful

[@Alexgambino]

If it’s a zycle prime what’s the size headset for it

[@cristiandanet6228]

Thank you so much ! Very helpful !