French-threaded bicycle headsets & parts

French-threaded headsets & parts on this page: Stronglight Competition V-4 | Spidel/Stronglight roller bearing headset | Galli A9 (made by Stronglight) roller bearing extra-light | Lightrace 3mm headset spacer | 1.75mm headset spacer

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French-threaded headsets differ from British/ISO headsets in only some of their parts:

	French	British
Steering tube threads	25mm x 1.0mm (.984" x 25.4 tpi)	1" x 24 tpi
Fork crown race	26.5mm (can be 27.0mm)	26.4mm
Head tube	30.2mm	30.2mm
Stem (or gooseneck) diameter	22mm	22.2mm (7/8")

 

The steering tube is what really differs. It is a slightly smaller diameter and the threads are different. For that reason the top screwed-on race, lock washer and lock nut are not interchangeable. The fork-crown race is different as well.

Plus, most British threaded steering tubes have a groove for a notched lock washer while it is most common for French steering tubes to have a flat filed for the lock washer.

The pressed-in head-tube cups are the same diameter and are interchangeable.

French and British diameter stems have different diameters that need to be respected. Don't mount a French-diameter stem in a British steering tube.

Please use this as only a guide. Over the many decades, different makers have used different dimensions. What we have listed above is the most likely to be found from major manufacturers.

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Stronglight French-threaded Competition V-4 headset. Used

We have two: #1 | #2

• Produced from the 1960s into the early 1980s
• French threaded: 25mm steerer x 1mm (25.4 tpi).
• This is the second version with an octagonal locknut rather than the early version that required a pin tool.
• This headset has V-shaped bearing surfaces, significantly increasing headset life. Making V-shaped bearing surfaces requires great care as the tolerances are very small if the headset is to work.

Stronglight French-threaded Competition V-4 headset #1. Used, $80.00

This headset includes bearings. This headset uses 5/32" ball bearings.

Though not in the picture, this headset includes bearings.

Here are the same parts flipped over

In lovely condition

And made in the French bike making capitol, St. Etienne.

Stronglight French-threaded Competition V-4 headset #2. Used, $40.00

This headset has some brinelling.

Here's the headset stacked up

The bearing surfaces

The fork crown race, showing its brinelled surface.

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Spidel/Stronglight French-threaded roller bearing headset. Used, $80.00/each

Here's the headset.

Most of the parts turned over.

Here's everything, including the roller bearings

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Galli A9 (made by Stronglight) French-threaded roller bearing extra-light headset, missing lower cup. New

Part# 33189-S

Missing the lower cup. You can see "Galli" on the far side of the lock nut.

Another view

Close-up

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Lightrace 3.0mm French headset spacer. Used, $10.00/each

• This spacers has the traditional internal flat for a French steering tube.

Side view

The bottom of the spacer, toothed to fit a toothed top adjustable headset cup.

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French 1.75mm Headset Spacer. Used, $5.00/each

• We have three in stock.
• These spacers have the traditional internal flat for a French steering tube.

Top view.

From the side.