Help getting the right headset bearings I need to change my headset bearings, however, there seems to be so many different variations out there, and I'm afraid to order the wrong parts.
Why not just order the same type as the old bearings you might ask? Well, they did not really fit; I think the previous owner just had some random bearings laying around that he used as makeshift replacement parts.
So, I was wondering if anyone here could point me in the right direction?
It is an external cup bearing, and the measurements are as follows (measured with a measuring tape, so probably not 100% accurate):
Head tube (inside diameter):
Top: 34mm,
Bottom: 34mm
Steerer tube (outside diameter):
Top: 29mm,
Bottom: 30mm
Thank you!
First you have to identify the type of headset. As you said its a external cup headset, but threaded or threadless?
Measuring the outer diameter of the steerer and the inside diameter of the head tube are also a good starting point. But try to measure as acurate as possible. +/- 0.1 mm - 28.6 mm (1 1/8&quot;) is pretty standard on the steerer nowadays, so 29 mm seems to be a weird or wrong value.
Replacing only the bearings would be a headache to figure out.
Manufacturers have a standard description of headsets called SHIS (Standardized Headset Identification System).
This park tools page should help you a lot to identify the required headset.
You have to figure out the measurements and fit the code together like in the example of the page: ZS44/28.6 | ZS44/30 - you can easily search for this code and find the fitting headset.
Good Luck.