Full Speed Ahead
FAQs
HEADSETS
Why should I use an FSA Headset?
At FSA we manufacture all of our headsets and bearings in house. This allows us to maintain very high qual- ity standards throughout production. We make a headset to fit virtually every frame on the market. We are the largest manufacturer of headsets in the world. Spare parts and warranty service are available globally.
Which of your headsets will fit my frame?
Headsets designs vary by style, inner diameter, outer diameter, and depth of the cups. While we supply headsets to the majority of high end bicycle manufacturers, we don’t make the decision as to which of our models is installed on a given frame design. We suggest you contact the bicycle manufacturer to determine which model is suited to your frame. Your competent professional bicycle mechanic may also consult our Headset Book under the ‘Downloads section’ of this site for detailed drawings of all our headsets. We also a produce a Headset Guide – a handy reference tool for shops or home mechanics.
What makes the Orbit Extreme Pro better than any other commercially available headset?
t is the most durable and well-designed headset around. It comes with corrosion resistant stainless steel bearings and stainless steel crown race and a ten year warranty. The design incorporates a split compres- sion ring to maintain even and permanent adjustment and preventing the headset from coming loose or knocking even after countless miles of rough riding.
What is meant by threaded, threadless, internal, and integrated headsets?
-Threaded headset cups press directly into the frame. The fork used for threaded headsets is threaded, and a large nut installed on the steerer tube is used to preload the bearings. -Threadless headset cups also mount directly into the frame, but a star-nut or similar compression device installed in the fork is used to preload the bearings.
-Internal headsets are functionally similar to threadless headsets. The main difference is that internal cups press almost completely into the frame. These are often preferred for their low stack height and clean look. -Integrated headsets are becoming more and more popular. With integrated headsets, a bearing (usually a sealed cartridge unit) s directly into the frame eliminating the need for cups. With integrated headsets, it is not necessary to press cups into your frame, but it is important that the headtube be professionally ma- chined to the proper dimensions to ensure smooth operation.
What are the most widely accepted standards of integrated headsets?
While there are many standards out there, the three most widely accepted are the Cane Creek, the Campag- nolo, and the TH standard. All three use angular contact bearings (ACB) which we find to be best suited to handle the loads to which a headset is subjected. Each bearing uses its own proprietary ACB standard and are of different dimensions. The bearings are not cross compatible. Cane Creek Standard integrated head- sets use a 35°x45° angular contact bearing (blue seal), Campagnolo a 45°x45° ACB (yellow seal), and TH a 36°x36° bearing (red seal).
Is it necessary to grease my sealed cartridge bearings?
The bearings themselves don’t require grease for smooth operation. FSA recommends using a light grease when assembling sealed cartridge bearings, not as a lubricant, but as a waterproofing agent as an extra layer of protection.
Where can I find torque specifications for my headset?
Since the bolt (threadless) or lock nut (threaded) exist to provide bearing preload only, there are no recom- mended torque values. The headset assembly requires adjustment through experience and depends on various component factors, such as steerer tube, type of compression or retention device, and the material of the bolt and cap itself.
FSA strongly encourages visiting a bike shop if you are not sure how to properly assemble and adjust headset bearings
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