I have a 1" threaded headset on my winter bike, and it seems to loosen up nearly every ride.
Would putting some locktight on the threads hurt?
Is my headset shot?
Without looking at your bike I don’t think people can be sure what the issue is. When you tighten the headset cap is the stem loose so that everything can compress? Maybe that’s it. It doesn’t seem like the headset bolt would spin out of place in normal riding and if it did the tight stem is supposed to hold things in place anyway.
It sounds like your headset isn’t tight to start with. Maybe some pics would help.
Obvious things first.
Are you tightening it correctly, with 2 headset spanners?
Is the headset worn out?
Are the threads stripped?
Are the threads adequately greased?
Is anything bent or broken?
Are the bearings properly greased and in good condition?
If all the above checks out, then try the loctite solution. better to not use loctite though, it shouldn’t need it.
When you tighten the headset cap is the stem loose so that everything can compress?
I haven’t loosened the stem while tightening. Why does the stem need to be loose?
I think NYSLIM is thinking of a threadless headset…
I have a pinch-type nut on mine, and in some 14 years, it’s never come loose. Onza headset… But I got a Gorilla one for the Campy track headset (yes, that’s probably offending MANY cycling gods, and it’s ugly as ass, but it also has NEVER come loose). These have a screw that runs tangential to the steerer threads and tightens the nut closed onto the steerer tube (much like the bolts on a threadless stem). Might be a possible solution.
Do you have a picture of it?
Try this – not exactly the same thing, but solving the same problem:
This is pretty close, but doesn’t have wrench flats:
Either of these would probably solve the problem though.
caleb,
You could try going to www.parktool.com and there are detailed instructions there on how to adjust your headset.
My first guess would be that after tightening (adjusting) your headset you are failing to properly tighten the lock nut down to prevent the headset from “slipping” out of adjustment.
Another thought, were washers ever removed from the headset? You should also check to make sure the locknut isn’t bottoming out against the steerer column before it fully snugs against the top headset cup.
It has been a long time since I had to work on a threaded headset.