Andrew R Stewart wrote:
> I always have thought that a problem with the Strongelight roller
> headsets was the need to clean them out all the time so you could add
> more grease. They used a thick plastic roller carrier ring.
FWIW, I did an experiment with a Stronglight A9 roller bearing headset. I installed a new A9 on my commuter bike in 1987 and did *NO* maintenance on it for 20 years. Nothing at all. I just installed it, adjusted it, and rode it for 20 years. In 2007 I opened it up to take a look. Here's what I found:
http://www.os2.dhs.org/
There's a trace of fretting damage on the lower races, but nothing noticable on the upper races. I swapped upper and lower races, repacked it in fresh grease, adjusted it (still smooth as ever), and will check again in 2027. :)
--
-John Thompson (john@os2.dhs.org)
Appleton WI USA