headsets

Parts for Campagnolo Threaded Headsets

Many Record parts are identical to Chorus. Some Record parts, like upper and pressed in races are the same dimensions as Chorus, but of higher quality. You may use them to replace worn Chorus parts and/or upgrade your Chorus threaded headset.
Campagnolo's one inch headset is designed for use with 1 inch threaded forks and quill style handlebar stems.
We suggest using Le Tour Whisper White grease for lubricating Campagnolo headsets.
The Record, threaded 1 inch headset, has a 38.5 mm stack height which makes it an ideal replacement for older Nuovo, Super and C Record threaded headsets. It weighs just 104 grams. Both Record and Chorus 1 inch threaded headsets will accept Le Tour headset spacers.
Warranty service and help with technical questions is available from Campagnolo USA in Carlsbad, California USA. Call Campagnolo USA at (760) 931-0106, or visit them at Campagnolo.com by clicking on the underlined text .
Official product manuals and more product information is also available at Campagnolo.com .
The product manuals may be downloaded. They are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher to read or print.

Campagnolo Threadless Headsets

Parts for Campagnolo Threadless Headsets

Record and Chorus, one inch threadless headsets, are almost identical. The ONLY differences are in the lower pressed in race and the bolt on top caps; Record uses a carbon top cap and Chorus an alloy model. The lower pressed in Chorus race is the same dimension as Record but uses a lesser quality, internal bearing race.
Campagnolo's one inch threadless headset is designed for use with 1 inch smooth column forks and clamp-on type handlebar stems.
We suggest using Le Tour Whisper White grease for lubricating Campagnolo headsets.
Both Record and Chorus threadless headsets will accept Le Tour headset spacers. Warranty service and help with technical questions is available from Campagnolo USA in Carlsbad, California USA. Call Campagnolo USA at (760) 931-0106, or visit them at Campagnolo.com by clicking on the underlined text .
Official product manuals and more product information is also available at Campagnolo.com .
The product manuals may be downloaded. They are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher to read or print.

Campagnolo Hiddenset Headsets

Parts for Campagnolo Hiddenset Headsets

Record, Chorus and Centaur 1 1/8 inch Hiddenset headsets, are almost identical. The ONLY differences are the height and composition of the upper bearing cover and the bolt on top caps. Record uses a carbon top cap and cover; Chorus and Centaur use an alloy model. All races and bearings are identical for Record, Chorus and Centaur.
Campagnolo's 1 1/8 Hiddenset headset is designed for use with specially milled headtubes, smooth column forks and clamp-on type handlebar stems.
We suggest using Le Tour Whisper White grease for lubricating Campagnolo headsets.
Record, Chorus and Centaur Hiddenset headsets will accept Le Tour headset spacers.
Warranty service and help with technical questions is available from Campagnolo USA in Carlsbad, California USA. Call Campagnolo USA at (760) 931-0106, or visit them at Campagnolo.com by clicking on the underlined text .
Official product manuals and more product information is also available at Campagnolo.com .
The product manuals may be downloaded. They are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher to read or print.

Headset Standards and Nomenclature

This article will discuss the various headset types and standards found on modern bikes. The headset of a bicycle allows the fork steering column and front wheel to rotate and turn. There are now several different systems in use on bicycles. The installation and service aspect vary according to the style. This article will review the following headset types:

Threaded
Threadless
Low Profile (Zero-Stack)
Integrated System (IS)-angular contact without cups
Campagnolo® Hiddenset(Integrated- angular contact)

There are also several bicycle manufacturers using proprietary headsets of unique design. Adjustment procedures will not be discussed here directly.

Conventional Threaded Headsets

The threaded headset was once the common headset design for most bicycles. The "threaded" in the name refers to the external threading at the top of the fork steering column. Bearing cups are pressed into the bike head tube. The bearings, which may be loose ball bearings, retainer ball bearings, or cartridge bearings, sit above and below the pressed races. The top most bearing-race has internal threading, and is held in place by a threaded locknut. The stem has no effect on the headset adjustment.

Threaded headset sizes are designated by the outer diameter of the steering column. This can seem confusing, because the head cups do not measure the named standard. The threaded standards are 1 inch, 1-1/8 inch, and 1-1/4 inch headsets. The various standards are generally not interchangeable. For more on threaded headset including the various standards see threaded headsets.

Conventional Threadless Headsets

Threadless headsets have many of the same features as Threaded Headsets. Bearing cups are pressed into the bike head tube. The bearings, which may be loose ball bearings, retainer ball bearings, or cartridge bearings, sit above and below the pressed races. The steering column has no threading. The top race uses an internal centering sleeve on the column to maintain alignment to the bearing cup. Pressure is applied to the top race from the stem. Threadless Headsets must use a compatible stem that matches the steering column diameter. The stem binds to the outside of the column, and holds the top race in adjustment. The threadless standards are 1-inch and 1-1/8 inch diameter steering column. For more on conventional threadless headset including the various standards see threadless headsets.

Low Profile, Zero Stack, Integrated with Cups, Internal Headset and Semi-Integrated types

This type of headset system has, unfortunately, several names. Cane Creek® uses ZS or Zero Stack, while FSA® uses the Orbit Z series. The low-profile, zero-stack, integrated-with-cups, semi-integrated, or internal-headset systems use pressed frame cups that act as a holder for the bearings. The cups have a flange, or lip, and sit adjacent to the outer edge of the top and bottom of the head tube. The head tube is a relatively large outside diameter, approximately 50mm, and cups allow the bearings to sit flush or even inside the head tube. The headset bearings sit "internally" to the top and bottom of the head tube. Some models use a cup that holds a cartridge bearing. The cartridge bearing is a slip fit into the cups. The cups act as a bearing holder and do not take bearing movement or wear directly. Other types have the cartridge bearing and cup/holder as a unit. These are simply replaced as a unit when it is worn out. Still another version of this type uses a cup and cone system with caged ball bearings, similar to the conventional threadless headsets. Additionally, the depth of insertion into the head tube will vary between brands and type. If the bike was designed for a shallow cup, a deeper cup will not properly fit. This lack of consensus in depth makes reaming the inside of the head tube problematic.
The Low Profile type of headset is adjusted in a similar fashion as threadless headsets. Pressure is applied from an adjusting cap and bolt in the stem. The Low Profile headsets, even the "zero stack", do have some stack height, in spite of their name. The steering column is commonly 1-1/8 inch diameter.

Below is a photograph of a Low Profile headset using a cup and bearing as one unit. These systems align bearings to the top and bottom on the head tube faces, there is no angular contact inside the head tube. Note image below with cup pressing into frame. Lip of bearing cup presses against head tube face.

Below is a picture of the system using bearing cups, cone, and caged ball bearings, similar to conventional threadless headsets. Generally, these are considered less expensive headsets.

Integrated- Angular Contact System (without cups)

The integrated system uses cartridge bearings that are supported by machining in a specially shaped head tube. The frame may also use pressed rings or retainers inside the head tube. A cartridge bearing slips into these "cups" or supports, and is simply lifted out for replacement. There is no contact with the head tube face. The bearing sits inside the head tube, and references the angular contact. There are different standards within this integrated-angular contact family, and these are not interchangeable. A table at the end of this article summarizes the various standards.

The "IS" system is considered the most common. The name Integrated System is not a registered trade name. The system uses the 45-degree bearing contact in the frame. The bearings for the 1-1/8 inch steering columns use a 41mm outside diameter with a 45-degree bearing contact in the frame. The bearing may be marked "36-45". The first number refers to the inside bearing contact with the headset race or centering cone. The second number refers to the frame contact.

The less common 36-degree angular contact standard uses a bearing for the 1-1/8 inch steering columns with a 41.5mm outside diameter. The bearings may be marked "36-36".

Bearing adjustment in these systems similar to the threadless headset. Pressure is applied from an adjusting cap and bolt in the stem.

The picture below shows the inside of the specially designed and machined head tube. The inside bevel acts as the bearing "cup". Cartridge bearing are used which drop directly into the head tube as a slip fit. There is no pressing involved. All integrated system headset bearings use the internal bearing support inside the frame, not the top face of the head tube, for proper alignment reference.

The frame below uses pressed inserts or rings for the angular contact. Notice the split in the ring. These press in with only hand pressure against the machined relief in the frame.

Campagnolo® Hiddenset

The Campagnolo® Hiddenset is a proprietary design, and is basically an integrated-angular contact type without cups. The frame must be compatible with this design for this headset to be used. The bearings cone races do not press into the frame. The frame has a specially machined head tube to accept the bearings. However, this standard is not interchangeable with the Integrated System described above. Adjustment is similar to a conventional threadless headset.
Steering columns may be either 1-inch or 1-1/8 inch in this standard. The bearings are a slip fit into the frame. The common 1-1/8 inch standard has a bearing outside diameter of nominally 41.8mm with a 45-degree bearing seat. Campagnolo® brand bearings use a caged ball bearing inside the bearing unit. The unit can be pulled apart to be cleaned and regreased. Some other brands use a non-serviceable bearing, which are simply replaced, not serviced.

Headset Standards Summary

The various headset standards are outlined in the table below. An "interference fit" is also called a "press fit", where the head tube is smaller than the cup/bearing. The cup is pressed into the head tube with force. A "slip fit" allows the bearing to be installed and removed by hand, with no pressing required. In a slip fit, the outside diameter (OD) of the bearing is smaller than the inside diameter (ID) of the frame.

Information and photos are courtesy of Park Tool.
Visit their site at ParkTool.Com