Leave it to me to get a bit nuts over the replacement of my BF NWT frame. The two parts I’d have the hardest time working on myself are the headset and the bottom bracket. It seemed reasonable to me that, since I’m getting a new frame, or actually that part of it which contains the headset and bottom bracket, I might as well upgrade those two items. I’d always meant to upgrade my Friday because I pretty much figure I won’t be buying another New World Tourist (I might, of course, by another Friday).
So what does one upgrade the standard BF headset with? The headset that was on my Friday was their generic model, low end to be sure, but fine as far as it goes. I’d had to have it tightened once and I’ve always kept my eye on it lest it start loosening again.
I ended up deciding to go with a Chris King GRIPNUT. Mine will be silver.
On the BF store page it says:
This is the best headset available in the 1 1/4″ size. Lasts a very long time with next to no maintenence. Stays tight if well adjusted.
Who am I to argue? Besides everyone on the Yak pretty much says the same thing and they are experienced Friday Folk.
That was a no brainer. But it got me thinking. As long I’ve got the Friday in for work, why not swap the BB as well. The stock BB on mine is the low end Shimano BB-UN26 68×113 English JIS. Basically it’s a ten dollar item. There’s nothing really wrong with it but mine was probably nearing the end of its life anyway. I had a BB go out on a previous bike and, while not particulary dangerous, it’s just easier to have one that’ll last.
So…what to get.
This time the name that comes to mind is Phil Wood. Yes they are expensive, at least compared to a ten dollar Shimano part. It may be a solution in search of a problem but if it’s everything folks seem to think I may forever avoid the problem altogether.
So that’s what I did. Chris and Phil will now grace my Friday. Necessary? No, probably not. Indeed they definitely aren’t needed. But I can think of a number of things it would be far worse to spend my money on so I’ll gladly have them.
Besides, now I’ll have something to blog about when my bike does get put back together. How well do I think they work…time will tell.
Aloha
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