Mountain bike headset maintenance | 2021/2020 Orbea Occam service

[@DavidLeblanc-ku9ir]

Hi! Is it possible to change the open ball bearing to a sealed?

[@borstruga608]

This video helped a lot, thank you!

[@venkiemtb6791]

Thank you very much!

[@brianf4760]

thanks for the videos, I have the same bike and love it, yeew!

[@hopone01]

thanks for the vid, very informative. I'm surprised that you also have that clicking sound as well. I have it on my Oiz and Alma sadly. So is that because of the stem not holding the steerer enough? or should I open my headset and re-grease?

[@MTBSuomi]

In my case it was the stem itself, so I put the carbon compound on the clamping surfaces and tightened the stem bolts to 6Nm. If that doesn't help, you might need to check the headset, too. Good luck!

[@googlepixel9pro]

Hi. Just bought a 2021 Occam and so far a great bike. Only a couple of small problems. The first is the linkage has stated to squeak and I keep having loads of pedal strikes. Have you had any of these problems? Thanks

[@MTBSuomi]

Hi, what kind of squeak is it? My linkages were sort of "squeaking" from time to time. Just added some grease around linkage bearings and the squeak was gone. Occam has lower bottom bracket than many other trail bikes, that's why it feels so planted and alive, so pedal strokes are fairly common and you'll need to adjust your riding technique to avoid them. I'd advise you to get your hands on a bash guard and eventually shorter cranks would help too. Also make sure your shock is inflated accordingly. If the pressure is too low, that'll make your BB closer to the ground as well.

[@googlepixel9pro]

@@MTBSuomi Ive just greased the linkages and the sound is gone! Not much on from factory. I did think it was to do with my riding style, will have to change it up and get some new cranks too . Thanks for the reply, been very helpful. Keep up with the great videos

[@doyablola]

Ah the ikea stool, tried and tested tool for this kind of job, i have the same…white one 😁

[@MTBSuomi]

Yeah 😄 Not ideal without a stand but at least people see it's not that hard without it

[@doyablola]

@@MTBSuomi very true

[@olivierhacking]

Nice video man! But I reeeally hope you can make one about replacing the linkage bearings? I am ordering new ones (mine went bad in 6 months) and not sure which tools I need to remove/ press them in again. Orbea support is also unclear...

[@MTBSuomi]

I will do that video once my bearings need replacing :) There are special tools for replacing bearings and pressing them back in. I definitely wouldn't do such important and precise job with some homemade tools or so. As for example these tools from Endurobearings that I use: Bearing removal www.endurobearings.com/products/tools/brt-051/ Bearing press www.endurobearings.com/products/tools/brt-050/ Both work for multiple different bearing sizes and I can't imagine it wouldn't work on Occam.

[@Nilla_S]

@@MTBSuomi I will be watching and using your videos how to replace the bearings on linkages, rear axle and main pivot. The only minus is that a bearing press with adapters for 5 different size bearings will come around €200

[@Veloscape]

​ Hi I have a very similar issue with an Alma H20. Terrible grinding noise from the headset. When I took it apart, I realised that it has the cheap cage bearings and they were in quite a state (with some balls missing). When I looked at the Orbea website it says that the headset is integrated IS42/ IS52 but I am not sure if they will fit my frame or if I have to find a replacement for the caged bearings. Any advice?

[@MTBSuomi]

Hi, you will need to replace the headset cups as well as bearings if you want to use sealed bearings :) you might also need to change the amount of spacers under your stem afterwards.

[@matthewweintraub5290]

Hi, I have a 2021 Occam H30 and it does not have sealed bearings. Do you know if it's possible to change the cups to fit sealed bearing instead? On its website, Orbea says the headset is integrated but it doesn't look like it to me. Thanks!

[@MTBSuomi]

Hi, I haven't seen the headset of the H30, so I can't say for sure. Did you take it apart and check whether it has sealed bearings or not? If you're unsure, you can send the picture to [e-mail] and I'll let you know what it is. In any case you should be able to simply change the whole headset with bearing cups in case it's not sealed and you'd like to upgrade. Just make sure it'll fit the frame and fork then.

[@rabb3255]

I have a Laufey, on the website it says integrated but when I came to replace them (clicking sound) I found they were not sealed. Orbea sell an integrated headset kit (google ORBEA INTEGRATED HEADSET MTB 11/8-11/2) which I suspect they were reluctant to fit at the factory (cost related no doubt) for around £25. I will try replacing the unsealed bearing, if that doesn't last I'll replace with an integrated set. HTH

[@aaronmaguire9989]

Do you have to remove the cups to just use it as integrated and buy some sealed bearings?pop it in frame ... I have same issue says its intergated but there open bearings and looks like small cups inside

[@markpotts4428]

Is that a carbon or aluminium occam?

[@MTBSuomi]

That's a carbon Occam M30