This morning I started some overdue maintenance work on my Trance.

While I was cleaning my bike I noticed that there is a little bit of grease coming out of the bottom and top (more out of the bottom) of the headset.

I've never seen this before.

Is it normal; or is it a sign that it might be time for some maintenance on the headset.

Can't tell you exactly what headset it is other than its a "Giant" headset that came on the bike 18 months ago. It's a 2009 Trance X3 if that helps.

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I'd pull it apart and re-grease it. Watch out for the ball bearings when you pull it apart. Use a drop cloth. Clean and check for ovalization. If OK, then re-grease and put back together. Park Tool has some good tutorials you can find and use.

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"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

Thanks, I've learned to do a lot of the work on my bike since I got it and enjoy doing it.

But this one I think I'll take to NOTB. Not sure I want to dig into to taking the fork off and "stuff" without a little help from someone that's been there.

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It is probably a sealed bearing headset. I think the one on my 09 Reign is.

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Ride it until they CDFW it.

Indeed, it is.

When I pulled off the ugly conical spacer I saw I had a cane creek headset on 08 Trance X, not sure if the switched in 09 though

If its sealed bearings where would the grease be coming from?

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Maybe it is assembly lube used when putting the fork on? Has a bike shop ever had your fork off for any reason?
I guess it could be grease somehow working past the seals in the headset? Seems odd for sure.
Take it apart. It is not bad or scary. Nothing is going to just fall out.
Remove the top cap bolt over the stem. Loosen the two stem bolts. Pull the handlebars off as a unit with everything else. Then just slide the fork out the bottom.
Take some pics if you want and we can help.
It is very easy to take apart and put back together.

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Ride it until they CDFW it.

good excuse for a new bike.

Well, if it's not a lot of grease, and the headset isn't loose or rough *, it's not a problem... just wipe it off and keep riding until you do have a real problem. It's not gonna fail with no warning. A little grease seeping is not uncommon.

* With front wheel off the ground, put your fingers on the bearing area. Swing bars side to side. Should be ab-so-lutely smooth. Then put the front wheel against a fixed object, front brake clamped hard, other fingers on bearings, and rock the bike forward & backward a little. If you feel a little play, adjust it. A lot of play, take it apart and look.

(if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Unless you really just like taking things apart. But then you would've by now...)

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

It's not much grease, just a little bit.

I just haven't it before. The headset turns freely and it's not loose at all.
There's no knocking feel in it either.

It's probably fine. I'll keep an eye on it, if it seems worse ill take it apart and have a look. The cool thing is if I somehow screw it up or can't get it back together there's a shop just a few miles from my house.

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