Head Set Help?
Thread started by
jabier at 03.5.09 - 3:13 pm
i bought a new head set today for an old road bike but not sure how to install it i have a good idea on what i need to do but i dont want to break anything
so if you have any links or videos or advice please let me know
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take it to a bike shop and pay the $10 or so bucks it costs for them to install it.
ruinedbyidiots03.5.09 - 3:16 pm
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there's a DIY method using a long bolt and some wide washers, but I'll second rbi's advice. they've got the right tool for the job. shouldn't cost more than 12 USD.
mmaceda03.5.09 - 3:20 pm
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You can DIY!
You gotta learn somehow. Sersiously people, I'm sure he knows he could spend money to have this done, but that's not what the dude is asking.
But first, a couple questions:
What type of headset/frame? A normal threaded/threadless one with press fit cups, or an internal or integrated thing?
Assuming press fit cups:
do you already have a headset in your frame? If not, has your headtube been faced for a headset? New frames usually need to have the head tube reamed and faced to provide an even surface w/appropriate diameter for the cups. Installing a headset without a good surface can cause your headtube to crack.
Assuming you have an appropriately faced headtube, and you have the old headset out, here is what you need to do:
1. Clean headtube of dirt. Clean headset cups.
2. grease both surfaces.
3. Press headset cups in! If you use a homemade headset press* do this one cup at a time, and be sure the cup is seated evenly in the tube before you start to press, and as you press. If at any point it is uneven, remove it and start over.
HANDY TRICK: Get some dry ice, and before you press the cups in, push them into dry ice and let the cool to its temperature. This will shrink the metal slightly and make it slide in easier.
* TO MAKE A HEADSET PRESS:
you need:
threaded rod
nuts and washers for rod
2 wooden or thick hard plastic plates with holes for the rod in the center.
Put all those things on the threaded rod, so that tightening the nuts will press plates together on either side of the head tube. (Rod goes through headtube).
NOTE: bottom plate must have cut out so that it does not bang into the downtube.
See the park tool website if you want to learn the pro way.
zombiefiesta03.5.09 - 3:56 pm
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headset press + dry ice = money & time, i'd put out the cash and get this installed at your local shop
mattspeed03.5.09 - 4:08 pm
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hey thanks Z.F
i wanted to get some hands on experience to get a better understanding of my bike
its a threaded headset for a steel frame/fork
im having trouble with the lower and upper head race because i dont want to break or damage my frame
jabier03.5.09 - 4:09 pm
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mattspeed:
dry ice is not necessary, and you can make your own headset press for under $10, probably way under if you use scrap parts.
jabier:
If you think the cups might be very slightly too large of a diameter for the head tube, you need to measure with calipers to check.
If it turns out the headtube needs to be faced, you will need very special expensive tools if you want to DIY, or have your own machine shop.
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=66
If the new cups are not any bigger than the old ones, I would go ahead and press it in without worry.
To be honest, I don't usually measure with calipers. I just see if I can get the cups seated evenly without actually being pressed in. If this is the case, the reaming is definitely wide enough (But you still need to make sure it goes deep enough!)
zombiefiesta03.5.09 - 4:15 pm
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Bikerowave has the tools for installing a headset, and Bike Oven / Bike Kitchen should as well, so those are probably the best places if you want to do it yourself with the right tools.
JB03.5.09 - 4:16 pm
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mattspeed:
The dumbbell thing is cool, but it would probably run into the down tube on a road frame.
The 2nd video is for integrated headsets, whatever.
zombiefiesta03.5.09 - 4:22 pm
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+1 on kitchen, oven, or wave.
dry ice works wonders getting a stuck seatpost out but from my recent experience they are not selling as easily as they use too and only sell it in large quantities for about 10+.
as far as using it to get cups in...yeah it can work but the time to freeze it and one time use aspect makes a dedicated tool (DYI or otherwise) a better option.... which brings us full circle....just take it to the kitchen, we got the tools if you need to resurface the headtube and of course the press.
bicioso03.5.09 - 4:24 pm
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@zombiefiesta fuuuck *shrug* i tried haha
pac man ride anyone?
mattspeed03.5.09 - 4:29 pm
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ummm guys sheldon brown?
he will tell all you need to know
i did mine with a hammer and a block of wood
robert stanfield03.5.09 - 5:43 pm
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hey thanks internet friends
your support and advice has helped in my journey to understanding the conventional head set
so far ive been studying the sheldon brown website on how to remove the lower and upper race
and i think im ready to give it a go ill let you know how it goes but for now i just want to give thanks again
(if i cant its the kitchen for me)
up next for is
THE BOTTOM BRACKET!
jabier03.5.09 - 7:26 pm
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they have all the tools at the bikerowave. they probably have all the tools at the bike oven and bike kitchen. see the links at the top right corner of this page.
tortuga_veloce03.5.09 - 7:40 pm
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geeezzz why do you guys make it so complicated? Like Bo Bo said, hammer and a block of wood. Just make sure you keep things aligned as they go in. (no fluffa jokes!)
Hmmmmm I wonder what they did in the olden days? Oh yeah, that's right, hammer and a block of wood.
User103.5.09 - 7:51 pm
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yes you can use a block of wood and a hammer...worked on my bmx bikes for years!
that being said it is not the proper way as it can damage your head tube if not aligned correctly and really thats not a risk anyone should take....especially with there being three different diy shops. the growing popularity of thin wall and composite material frames (yeah i know he said old road bike but just cause its old doesnt mean it should be subjected to the olde hammer and block torture) make dynamic forces a no no
also to my knowledge there is no way to install a crown race using a hammer and a block of wood.
sorry i just feel that people should be properly informed and that the hammer and block should be used as a last resort (i would use a vise before a hammer).
or fuck it i guess im just being a wrench nerd.
bicioso03.5.09 - 8:19 pm
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wooooooohhhhhhhhhh..........alan,did you just agree with something i said?
this is a great day.think ill go play the lottery.
robert stanfield03.5.09 - 8:24 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
