My wife’s Cannondale Althea 2 (I think it’s 2019 model [https://99spokes.com/bikes/cannondale/2019/althea-2](https://99spokes.com/bikes/cannondale/2019/althea-2)) handle bar column started to wobble and then lower headset bearing just fell of while she was riding.
I disassembled it and looks like ball bearings cage are damaged beyond reparability.
I’m trying to fix the bike so she can keep riding it, but I have troubles finding replacement compatible ball bearings.
It has 30 x 1/8 inch balls, inner diameter 43.65mm, outer diameter 47.26mm. I looked on Amazon, Ebay and Google Shopping and cannot find compatible part anywhere. I’m really confused because I thought ball bearings are commodity items with standard sizes easily replaceable.
Any suggestions where can I find compatible part to finish the repair?
I found a complete headset for sale on ebay for $30 ([https://www.ebay.com/itm/226092326797?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOorgabL4vNH07xDLf69pZTyyS79yXpbVDYQmq5jApnbTeRHwDrtp3Xw](https://www.ebay.com/itm/226092326797?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOorgabL4vNH07xDLf69pZTyyS79yXpbVDYQmq5jApnbTeRHwDrtp3Xw)), but did not want to spend that much, especially considering that I only need one item out of the set. Anyway if I end up buying complete headset, should I buy same one or there is some nice compatible alternative which would justify spending that much money and doing complete replacement?
Thanks in advance.
nowhere3 on
If you’re looking for the cheapest option then just put grease into the headset cup and put as many 1/8″ ball bearings as fit minus 1-2, you don’t need the cage at all.
Comfortable-Tip998 on
It’s a good opportunity to upgrade to a better headset.
3 Comments
My wife’s Cannondale Althea 2 (I think it’s 2019 model [https://99spokes.com/bikes/cannondale/2019/althea-2](https://99spokes.com/bikes/cannondale/2019/althea-2)) handle bar column started to wobble and then lower headset bearing just fell of while she was riding.
I disassembled it and looks like ball bearings cage are damaged beyond reparability.
I’m trying to fix the bike so she can keep riding it, but I have troubles finding replacement compatible ball bearings.
It has 30 x 1/8 inch balls, inner diameter 43.65mm, outer diameter 47.26mm. I looked on Amazon, Ebay and Google Shopping and cannot find compatible part anywhere. I’m really confused because I thought ball bearings are commodity items with standard sizes easily replaceable.
Any suggestions where can I find compatible part to finish the repair?
I found a complete headset for sale on ebay for $30 ([https://www.ebay.com/itm/226092326797?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOorgabL4vNH07xDLf69pZTyyS79yXpbVDYQmq5jApnbTeRHwDrtp3Xw](https://www.ebay.com/itm/226092326797?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOorgabL4vNH07xDLf69pZTyyS79yXpbVDYQmq5jApnbTeRHwDrtp3Xw)), but did not want to spend that much, especially considering that I only need one item out of the set. Anyway if I end up buying complete headset, should I buy same one or there is some nice compatible alternative which would justify spending that much money and doing complete replacement?
Thanks in advance.
If you’re looking for the cheapest option then just put grease into the headset cup and put as many 1/8″ ball bearings as fit minus 1-2, you don’t need the cage at all.
It’s a good opportunity to upgrade to a better headset.