You guys are very helpful! I have removed everything except the steering column from the headtube. (nice diagrams)
I have whacked it harder than I want to (it’s my bike!!) using hammer/towel, hammer/yellowpages and finally have found some wood. It’s still not moving. Should I go and hit it even harder? The wood is only 1 – 2 inches thick. I don’t want to damage anything.
Feeling slightly defeated.
You will most likely need a lot more force than you’re applying currently. Some forks drop out of a headset as soon as the stem is undone, some require a hell of a whack to remove.
Anna, given the tools you say you’ve got to hand, here’s my advice. Ask a friend/passer by to hold the frame and forks up whilst you place the bit of wood you have on top of the steerer tube of the forks, and then give it an almighty whack with the hammer.
I’ve removed one with a hammer and block of wood before, it’s not the easiest thing to do. A Rubber mallet makes it so much easier, cos the mallet has a lot more weight (and hence force) to it, but also the soft hitting surface of the mallet means that psychologically you’re not afraid of damaging your bike.