Shimano headset bearings

Dion Dock said:

Where can I get replacement cartridge bearings for Shimano 600 headsets? We're talking $40/pair
and a special order from most shops. I can get a whole new headset mail-order for less, but it's
still about $40. That seems a little excessive for two bearings.

Now you can appreciate why Shimano used a proprietary bearing cartridge instead of an industrial
standard one.

Chalo Colina

"Dion Dock" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Where can I get replacement cartridge bearings for Shimano 600 headsets? We're talking $40/pair
and a special order from most shops. I can get a whole new headset mail-order for less, but it's
still about $40. That seems a little excessive for two bearings.

thanks, -Dion

$14.00 if you order them through Bike Tools Etc.: tinyurl.comlk8vOpen ↗

Jeff

(Chalo) said:

Dion Dock said:

Where can I get replacement cartridge bearings for Shimano 600 headsets? We're talking $40/pair
and a special order from most shops. I can get a whole new headset mail-order for less, but it's
still about $40. That seems a little excessive for two bearings.

Quoted message said:

Now you can appreciate why Shimano used a proprietary bearing cartridge instead of an industrial
standard one.

Chalo Colina

Youch. Don't cut yourself with that thing, Chalo.

But you speak the truth, and it is so lame, so unecessary, so petty for Shimano to do that.

--
Ted Bennett Portland OR

"Dion Dock" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Where can I get replacement cartridge bearings for Shimano 600 headsets? We're talking $40/pair
and a special order from most shops. I can get a whole new headset mail-order for less, but it's
still about $40. That seems a little excessive for two bearings.

thanks, -Dion

Hey, I know this is not RBM, but..... I have a Dura ace complete headset, very low miles, that I
would sell you for $40. It's english threaded, alloy cups. I think it weighs about 100 grams. Let me
know if you are interested

Jay

dion-<< Where can I get replacement cartridge bearings for Shimano 600 headsets? We're talking
$40/pair and a special order from most shops. I can get a whole new headset mail-order for less, but
it's still about $40. That seems a little excessive for two bearings. >><BR><BR>

What you are seeing is not uncommon..Often bearings for shimano HS are as much as a new HS..Probably
cuz the HS is 'underpriced' at MO, due to OEM resale while the bearings are not a OEM item, hence
the high price.

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Better yet- instead of forking out this cash I just got a Chorus Headset- 12 pounds from UK. Record
would have been about $40. Mine used good, old fashioned bearings. Shipping was minimal. Got good
deal on a pair of Sidis as well.

"Dion Dock" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Where can I get replacement cartridge bearings for Shimano 600 headsets? We're talking $40/pair
and a special order from most shops. I can get a whole new headset mail-order for less, but it's
still about $40. That seems a little excessive for two bearings.

thanks, -Dion

Ted Bennett <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

(Chalo) said:

Dion Dock said:

Where can I get replacement cartridge bearings for Shimano 600 headsets? We're talking
$40/pair and a special order from most shops. I can get a whole new headset mail-order for
less, but it's still about $40. That seems a little excessive for two bearings.

Quoted message said:

Now you can appreciate why Shimano used a proprietary bearing cartridge instead of an industrial
standard one.

Chalo Colina

Youch. Don't cut yourself with that thing, Chalo.

But you speak the truth, and it is so lame, so unecessary, so petty for Shimano to do that.

I beg to differ. I assume that by "industrial standard" you have in mind the tytpical sorts of
cartridge bearings you see in wheels. But you really, REALLY wouldn't want one of those in a
headset. In a headset, the bearing is loaded heavily from the side (of the bearing). Think about
where the races are in a standard cartidge bearing, and you'll see why this is a bad idea. IOW, the
load is 90 degrees off from where it's supposed to be.

Shimano's headset bearings are designed for that load--look at the races, which are designed for the
side (relative to the bearing) loading that headsets experience.

Go for the new headset.

Fire up MTB 03

(Andy M-S) said:

Ted Bennett said:

(Chalo) said:

Now you can appreciate why Shimano used a proprietary bearing cartridge instead of an
industrial standard one.

Youch. Don't cut yourself with that thing, Chalo.

But you speak the truth, and it is so lame, so unecessary, so petty for Shimano to do that.

I beg to differ. I assume that by "industrial standard" you have in mind the tytpical sorts of
cartridge bearings you see in wheels. But you really, REALLY wouldn't want one of those in a
headset. In a headset, the bearing is loaded heavily from the side (of the bearing). Think about
where the races are in a standard cartidge bearing, and you'll see why this is a bad idea. IOW,
the load is 90 degrees off from where it's supposed to be.

Shimano's headset bearings are designed for that load--look at the races, which are designed for
the side (relative to the bearing) loading that headsets experience.

There are many kinds of industrial cartridge bearings. Some, like the "deep groove radial" type
commonly used in bikes and electric motors, are made to accept a high radial load and a smaller
thrust load. Others are made with angular contact races, cylindrical or tapered rollers rather than
balls, or with a full ball complement. Here's an example of an industrial cartridge bearing that
outperforms Shimano's overpriced junk in every respect:

nationalprecision.combb11a.htmOpen ↗ Thrust load rating 2200lbs. for the 1" headset-sized one.

I can buy these specialty *aircraft* bearings as cheaply as Shimano's headset bearings in quantity
of 1. If they were a common bike part, they'd obviously be much cheaper.

There isn't any kind of bearing used in Shimano parts that doesn't have a better, cheaper, and
replaceable industrial equivalent. They go their own way because it's cheaper for them and more
expensive for you. That's good for their bottom line but not for yours.

Chalo Colina

[email hidden] (Chalo) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Here's an example of an industrial cartridge bearing that outperforms Shimano's overpriced junk in
every respect:

nationalprecision.combb11a.htmOpen ↗ Thrust load rating 2200lbs. for the 1"
headset-sized one.

I recognize that bearing! It's the one Klein uses.

The Klein headsets I've seen are often stiff, and more often bind when turned more than a few
degrees to the side.

Give me Shimano.

Quoted message said:

Where can I get replacement cartridge bearings for Shimano 600 headsets?

Hi,

I have some advice but be warned, it is worth two cents (or less). You can replace your headset with
a lighter (106g) $25 105 headset. And best of all, it doesn't use cartridge bearings! Same stack
height, too.

Dave

(dianne_1234) said:

I recognize that bearing! It's the one Klein uses.

The Klein headsets I've seen are often stiff, and more often bind when turned more than a few
degrees to the side.

Klein's problem, not the bearing's.

It's also the same kind used in American Classic headsets IIRC. I've never heard anything about
those being unduly problematic.

Note that years after the discontinuation of the Klein Attitude and its oddball head bearings, you
can still readily purchase replacement cartridges for it at a reasonable price-- just as you could
years before it hit the market.

To this compare the availability of contemporary Shimano replacement parts like 7sp index
thumbshifters, Biopace chainrings, U-brakes, and 6mm cables.

Quoted message said:

Give me Shimano.

Take it, please.

Chalo Colina