At 09:49 PM 9/15/04 -0400, DTSHIFTER@aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 9/15/04 9:10:14 PM, teaat4p@yahoo.com writes:
>
><< When I mentioned CR list comments of the various Tange's as NR
>alternatives to a reputable professional, long, long time in the business,
>he said that
>the Tange's don't hold-up. Any comments? >>
>
>I've pulled OEM Tanges out of 30 yr old Fujis and the headsets were in fine
>shape. I think Tanges will hold up as well as any traditional headset
>provided
>they are maintained properly. FWIW, I have seen many "trashed" Campangolo NR
>and especially SR headsets over the years - of course I've seen far more
>Campagnolo headsets than any others!
I've also seen a goodly number of NR headsets that had failed prematurely. I think the problem is that the bearings and races are so smooth that it's easy to think they are adjusted properly when they are actually too tight. Also many people didn't adjust them with the stem installed, as per instructions.
I always adjusted them with a bit of trial and error, till I felt just a tiny bit of play, with the top nut tight. Then I'd loosen the top nut and turn the top cup no more than 5 to 10 degrees tighter.
Our recumbent tandem has a 60 degree head angle and a long fork with 4.75" of rake. So, the loads on the HS are ridiculously high. After 13 years and many thousands of miles, I pulled the NR HS out to save it for a Paramount I'm going to restore someday. It's still in fine shape.
BTW I've always had good luck with Tange steel headsets.
Mark Stonich;
BikeSmith Design & Fabrication LLC
http://bikesmithdesign.com