headset specs

[specialized7]

What size headset will work with my 2007 SWORKS carbon HT?I know that it should be a 1-1/8" but that is only the diameter.What about the stack height?

[Dirtbreath]

What is the stack height?

 

You do know that a headset comes in a top and bottom cup that fit into your head tube. They are not joined inbetween.

[specialized7]

The stack height is the distance from the bottom of the headset to the top,without cups.The SWORKS takes an internal headset and therefore no cups!What I need is for someone to tell me that for instance a Cane Creek S1 will fit without problems.

[Johan Bornman]

You need to calculate the stack height on your existing headset and find something that is compatible with that. On Cane Creek headsets the stack height is printed on the side of the box (carboard tube). On others, it is in the brochure. On some.... well if you find it let me know.

It is easy to calculate. Just measure everything sticking out the frame and add it all up. With threaded steerers you had to have the exact same stack height. Nowadays with threadless, you can simply add or remove spacers.

If you have any spacers in there, you can buy almost any headset and it will fit if you juggle spacers.

[Johan Bornman]

What is the stack height?

You do know that a headset comes in a top and bottom cup that fit into your head tube. They are not joined inbetween.

 

It is the accumulated height of headset components, top and bottom. Anything that's located inside the frame doesn't count, but the thickness of the cups, the lockrings, washers etc all have height and not all headsets have the same height. That's why you want to match the stack height when buying another headsets. It is critical on threaded steerers, unthreaded doesn't care much as explained above.

 

[specialized7]

Thanks Johan.Just to confirm then, as long as the bearings are the correct size meaning 1-1/8" or am I missing something and then you put in spacers on the top bearing untill there is no play.

[Dirtbreath]

 

What is the stack height?

 

You do know that a headset comes in a top and bottom cup that fit into your head tube. They are not joined inbetween.

 

It is the accumulated height of headset components' date=' top and bottom. Anything that's located inside the frame doesn't count, but the thickness of the cups, the lockrings, washers etc all have height and not all headsets have the same height. That's why you want to match the stack height when buying another headsets. It is critical on threaded steerers, unthreaded doesn't care much as explained above.

 

[/quote']

 

Thanks for that. Not familiar with threaded steerers. My understanding of stack height is the height of the spacers on the steerer above the headset. Irrelevent to headset.

 

[Johan Bornman]

Thanks Johan.Just to confirm then' date=' as long as the bearings are the correct size meaning 1-1/8" or am I missing something and then you put in spacers on the top bearing untill there is no play. [/quote']

 

Technically, the new 1 1/8 (internal diameter) bearing could be higher (thicker) than the old one but I doubt it. You should be OK.

 

Spacers don't take out the play. Spacers only take up superflous space that cannot be adjusted out.

 

If you take the headset's top cap off, you should be able to see the fork steerer a few mm below the stem's top. Between 4 and 10mm is fine. If it is less than 4, put another 6mm (or nearby) spacer in there.

 

Perhaps I should take some photos. Give me some time.

 

 

[specialized7]

That would be great.Could you do it from the bottom up?Please