Needle bearing headset help

David Goldman

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Dec 22, 2025, 9:59:47 AM (9 days ago) Dec 22

to 650b

Hi All,

Having trouble finding one for a low trail build. (Soma Grand Rando V3). Everything I've come across has been "roller bearing" which I believe is the same thing, but only on the bottom cup. The top being ball bearing. Is this what a Needle Bearing headset is or do I need to keep searching. Please help me our here!

Alex I

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Dec 22, 2025, 10:14:37 AM (9 days ago) Dec 22

to 650b

Not being familiar with the Soma Grand Rando V3 steerer, crown race, and headtube, here's a few options. I'm running a needle bearing lower with ball bearing upper currently on a 650B setup, but it's really a mash up of two headsets (lower is Stronglight, upper I think is a cheap low-stack Tange) - I had too little steerer to install the full Stronglight setup. I had a Miche 1" threadless on an older 650B bike, forget the exact model, picked it up off Amazon of all places. Looks like IRD might be the best bet to further investigate for new options.

https://www.treefortbikes.com/Interloc-Racing-Design-IRD-Double-Roller-Drive-Headset?srsltid=AfmBOoqfTIHI5O8wUY1wtxbIJDn6c_LVPJQxs9MASSlmyf4uFs-SL6n_

https://www.ebay.com/itm/257019768579?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&google_free_listing_action=view_item&srsltid=AfmBOooDDKMPl6k2LayqfhX4CHGfiT7lMTpOZMqTJGshZcfuErB-YI23EPk

https://www.interlocracing.com/shop/ird-headset-double-rollerdrive-threadless-2735#attr=1337,2246

https://www.rivbike.com/products/headset-tange-ird-needl-blastr-roller-drive?srsltid=AfmBOopZhbtI25xdtgQzOFTzYiW7W2EPfqiqxMHnQhk_4ek9hjRgsCKU

Alex in warm and sunny, not very Christmassy CO

Michael Goetinck

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Dec 22, 2025, 10:36:10 AM (9 days ago) Dec 22

to Alex I, 650b

Roller bearing and needle bearing are terms that are used interchangeably. I’ve been running a roller bearing on the bottom and a sealed cartridge bearing on the top for my rando bike for the past 10+ years. I haven’t had to do a thing to it. The lower bearings are stressed more than the uppers so this combo will work well. I’ve got another bike with roller bearings top and bottom and it also works well.

Cheers,

Michael H. Goetinck

Snowdog Construction

(802) 649-3605

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Oliver Moss

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Dec 22, 2025, 11:25:17 AM (9 days ago) Dec 22

to 650b

Hey David, I've got an IRD 1" threaded headset with roller bearings top and bottom that I'm not using if you are interested. I came into a Rene Herse roller bearing headset that I replaced it with so I no longer need it.

Reach out if you are interested and I can send you a photo.

~Oliver

User 47

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Dec 22, 2025, 11:50:27 AM (9 days ago) Dec 22

to 650b

You can buy stronglight rollEr bearing headsts for like $50-$70 on the regular on ebay https://ebay.us/m/oXKTZk

User 47

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Dec 22, 2025, 12:36:29 PM (9 days ago) Dec 22

to 650b

HHeads up if you go to the link, eBay page and “watch” the item the price will drop down to $48

Michael F.

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Dec 22, 2025, 2:17:15 PM (9 days ago) Dec 22

to User 47, 650b

OP didn't mention what size he needs - isn't the Soma V3 an OS steerer / headtube ?

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/650b/42d369c4-8db7-424d-bf78-dfbc79193bdfn%40googlegroups.com.

User 47

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Dec 22, 2025, 2:23:31 PM (9 days ago) Dec 22

to 650b

Headset type: 1" ISO Threaded external cups(EC30/25.4 | EC30/26) (Needle/Roller bearings recommended)

FFrom the sOma website

David Goldman

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Dec 22, 2025, 2:33:13 PM (9 days ago) Dec 22

to 650b

sent you an email!

David Goldman

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Dec 22, 2025, 2:33:46 PM (9 days ago) Dec 22

to 650b

Thanks for the help everyone!

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