cheap Ritchey Logic thread headset OK?

maxo said:

My ancient Tange Sekei is uber indexed and beyond any tricks to keep it
alive. I wanted to grab a headset locally (at the REI) and it seems that
the very basic Ritchey Logic headset is the exact same stack height as the
old Tange. I was thinking about going for a Shimano 105, but they're
almost 5mm taller.

Any reason not to get the Ritchey? I figure since it's all steel and my
roadie has full fenders--even this inexpensive one should last quite a
while.

Three or four years ago, a Ritchey Logic headset race split on one of my
bikes, and then some online searching showed that it was common to that
model. Models change, though, so what you get now may be different.

The bike shop should be able to use a headset facer to remove 2.5mm from
the top and bottom of the head tube so you can use the 105. (This would
be my choice--the 105 has spherical cartridge bearings.)

If you can give some dimensions, someone may be able to point to other
modern headsets that match that particular Tange's stack height.

--
Warren Block * Rapid City, South Dakota * USA

Warren Block said:

Three or four years ago, a Ritchey Logic headset race split on one of my
bikes, and then some online searching showed that it was common to that
model. Models change, though, so what you get now may be different.

I read some horror stories too, but it was regarding the threadless
version--seems the upper cup was plastic on that model. The REI site says
"all steel" so I might just pop by and have a look at the little bugger
and see.

Quoted message said:

The bike shop should be able to use a headset facer to remove
2.5mm from the top and bottom of the head tube so you can use the 105.
(This would be my choice--the 105 has spherical cartridge bearings.)

Yeah, very feasable, though I don't have much head tube to spare, perhaps
3mm before you get to the fillet joint material--I'd rather not mess with
this frame. It's a funky Viscount with the ultra thin wall tubing, so
already a bit fragile. With shop time and parts, the 105 would be a
hundred dollar headset, I'd rather spend the bucks elsewhere, especially
as this is my funky single speed where cheap adds a certain elan. :P

I'll check out the Ritchey, which sounds very worrisome, but pics from
the net show the shape and design changing slightly, so they may have
fixed its issues. I'll also see if I have enough threads on the fork to
throw on a new steel Tange, which is 2mm higher stack.

maxo said:

Warren Block said:

Three or four years ago, a Ritchey Logic headset race split on one of my
bikes, and then some online searching showed that it was common to that
model. Models change, though, so what you get now may be different.

I read some horror stories too, but it was regarding the threadless
version--seems the upper cup was plastic on that model. The REI site says
"all steel" so I might just pop by and have a look at the little bugger
and see.

Mine was all steel, threaded. The cup split in the middle of the race.

Quoted message said:

already a bit fragile. With shop time and parts, the 105 would be a
hundred dollar headset, I'd rather spend the bucks elsewhere, especially
as this is my funky single speed where cheap adds a certain elan. :P

Headsets off even low-quality old touring bikes would probably work. Do
some digging at garage sales, or the LBS junk box. I've got at least
one headset laying around here that's supposed to be of the better
variety (knurled outside and a toothed ring to keep from loosening).

--
Warren Block * Rapid City, South Dakota * USA

Warren Block said:

Headsets off even low-quality old touring bikes would probably work. Do
some digging at garage sales, or the LBS junk box. I've got at least
one headset laying around here that's supposed to be of the better
variety (knurled outside and a toothed ring to keep from loosening).

Scavenging is pitiful here in Nashville unfortunately. :/

Stopped by REI and got a cheap Shimano headset for a twenty. They didn't
even think that they had anything threaded at first, but I made them dig
around and they found the sucker. RSX somethingorother, steel cups and
nice cartridge bearings, pedestrian finish, but it matches my grey single
very well. When I asked about stack height they looked pretty vacant so I
had to show them how to measure it. LOL I bought a bike with threaded fork
in a fancy bike shop in '98, so it hasn't been THAT long since they were
common.

Cups are a walk in the park to whack into the Viscount frame as the
tubing's so thin. Tap tap and you're done.

The fork race crown, now that's a beyatch! The tange crown came off with
the usual screwdriver, mallet, and a few taps. The new Shimano is not
wanting to go on, it's a real tight fit. My usual method of using the old
inverted race and a mallet is fruitless, so I may have to fetch some pipe
tomorrow for a "slide hammer". I even emoried the inside of the new race
to make it a bit smoother, but no go. :/

A Tange Levin would look more appropriate, but I'm looking forward to less
maintenance with this Shimano, the bearings are much less vulnerable, and
much larger than the old Sekei. Do miss the flashy chrome knurled nut, but
you can't have it all. 😄

If you had opened a browser you could probably find the Tange easily
enough. I bought one last year, for something like $17, from either
Loose Screws or Bike Tools Etc. Then you could have used the old race
;-)

- rick

rickwarner said:

If you had opened a browser you could probably find the Tange easily
enough. I bought one last year, for something like $17, from either Loose
Screws or Bike Tools Etc. Then you could have used the old race ;-)

Do you really think I'm that stupid? :P Of course I could have waited a
week for Harris to ship me a Tange. I just hate to wait when I've decided
upon something. Headsets are so damn boring, that when you get the hair up
your ass to finally fix them, you should get on the ball. The old race was
a bit gnarly anyway, probably 20 years old.

Since the fork isn't a very precious one, I used a grinder to take
about 0.2mm from around the circumference, then whacked the Shimano crown
in with a length of PVC. Nice snug fit and no splitting. 😄 Adjusting the
Shimano was a breeze compared to loose or caged balls.

The ride is markedly better and I can ride with no hands again, which is a
rare but handy thing.

old race for those curious what an indexed bottom cup looks like:
http://photos15.flickr.com/20772846_407b57ab1d_o.jpg

New headset installed:
http://photos17.flickr.com/20772845_1ede4a8bf2_o.jpg

Quoted message said:

Do you really think I'm that stupid?

No; since you were talking about lack of availability in Nashville I
just thought you might be artificially limiting your search.

Quoted message said:

The old race was a bit gnarly anyway, probably 20 years old.

I have a bike that is 18 years old or so; not only is the crown race
original, so are the cups, etc. The bike is my commuter/beater and
sees light touring duty, too. I bought a replacement Tange for it last
year, but then decided the old one was still too good to toss.

Quoted message said:

Adjusting the Shimano was a breeze compared to loose or caged balls.

Try adjusting a Chris King sometime; it will make the Shimano look
difficult in comparison.

Quoted message said:

New headset installed

The bike looks nice; is that a new finish on it?

- rick

rickwarner said:

Quoted message said:

Do you really think I'm that stupid?

No; since you were talking about lack of availability in Nashville I just
thought you might be artificially limiting your search.

Just poking you, man. 😄

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The old race was a bit gnarly anyway, probably 20 years old.

I have a bike that is 18 years old or so; not only is the crown race
original, so are the cups, etc. The bike is my commuter/beater and sees
light touring duty, too. I bought a replacement Tange for it last year,
but then decided the old one was still too good to toss.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Adjusting the Shimano was a breeze compared to loose or caged balls.

Try adjusting a Chris King sometime; it will make the Shimano look
difficult in comparison.

I better be for the price. EEEK. Gorgeous headsets, one day I'll have one
to go with some nice large flange phil wood hubs. Fanciest thing on my
bike are Phil cartridge bearings and Campy axle in the bottom bracket,
another incredibly boring part of the bike. LOL

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

New headset installed

The bike looks nice; is that a new finish on it?

- rick

Thanks. 🙂

Rattle can in the garage last October. Krylon battleship gray. I took it
completely apart and prepped well, so the paint doesn't look half bad from
a distance. Took forever to cure of course, next time I'm getting
automotive paint, or getting it powdercoated.