Hi all

So, the headset that came with my bike has died (not surprising really since a) it seems to be made out of some child’s toy grade aluminium and b) I put it back together wrong when fitting new forks) so have been out and bought a Hope headset as a replacement.

My question is, the Hope one has some funny insert that seems to be based on the old quill stem system whereas I already have a star fangled nut installed from my current setup.

Can I continue to use this or do I need to install the Hope insert as all this seems to be is for something for the bolt to screw in to?

Thanks all

Danny B

You’ll be fine

Just use the star fangled nut

Hope one has some funny insert that seems to be based on the old quill stem system

Its called a Hope Head Doctor…
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=911
I use them on all my forks unless they came with a star fangled nut fitted.

Hamfisted people break them and rant about it but I’ve had no issues with them and have used them for years

Use it ith the star nut – but use a normal bolt to tighten it up at first – the Hope is a rather fragile aluminium bolt.

Is there an advantage to the Head Doctor? I don’t mind forcing the star nut down the steerer far enough so I can fit it (yes weight weenies, I know this will add a couple of g’s to the bikes weight!).

Cheers for your help

Danny B

Its easier to fit – thats the only advantage I can see. they are more expensive – more heavy – more money and more likely to go wrong. Solution to a none existant problem. I always flog them when I get a new headset.

as above you will be fine…i have one of those hope hed doctors on my dh bike and had one on another bike. they should be easier to install than an SFN but you have to be very careful when installing them as i found out when i over tightened the bolt and snapped it…
they weigh more than an SFN too….
TBH its a case of hope trying to reinvent the wheel with this product and i fell for it twice

No.

Hamfisted people break them

Couldn’t possibly comment.

ndthornton – Member
Its easier to fit – thats the only advantage I can see. they are more expensive – more heavy – more money and more likely to go wrong. Solution to a none existant problem. I always flog them when I get a new headset.

they’re quite handy for carbon steerers though, where SFNs are a bit hazardous

I always flog them when I get a new headset.

How much do they go for? must have half a dozen kicking about.

How many headsets do you guys get through to have so many kicking around?!

Cheers

Danny B

I used a head doctor to fit a SFN on my last set of forks. I couldn’t get the headoctor to stay in place cos i’d lost the o rign, so I used it to push to a SFN into place, worked a treat.

I had no issues with the headoctor when i was using it though, or using a Hope headset with a SFN.

I got £7 posted on here. Helps to offset the cost of the headset. Think I let it go too cheap though – probably could have got a tenner. Damn what an opporunity missed!

Gawd dang – better bang mine up on ebay…

Cheers

Danny B

Yes – get them sold,
I only hope we haven’t put potential buyers off – they’re actually really usefull – honest!

over tightened the bolt and snapped it…

How compressed do you like your bearings ? I like to keep mine in the turnable range

they weigh more than an SFN too….

Easier to take out altogether if you care about that crap

I got a few quid for mine. Some folks can’t fit SFNs but for everyone who has working fingers, SFNs are the best option. Simple, light, cheap, reliable.

The weight difference is something really silly, I’m talking a gram or so, not even sure which is lighter. The quoted weight of 30 grams includes the top bolt, you can use any top bolt you like with them. The actual weight of the two tiny aluminium plates is next to nothing. You can use half a SFN if you’re really crying over 5 grams.

No issue here, quite like that I can chuck it in any set of forks. Quite the opposite I’ve got loads of SFNs kicking around as I don’t need to hammer anything into forks.

Don’t see many of these for Hed Doctors 😛

Who is cryng over 5 grams – im no weight weenie – I dont mind adding weight for extra functionality or to avoid increased cost. But when something adds zero functionality and is in fact more expensive…….. the words no and brainer spring to mind.

Similar sort of thing to quick release, saves me 2 minutes, every 6 months, quite happy chucking an extra 50 grams at it?

by the way – if your using a hammer your doing it wrong. threaded rod, some washers and a nut is whats required.

Used to use screwdriver and mallet tbh 😛 All went in fine, all my old forks still have them in.

Correct sized socket and a big mallet for most “pressing” jobs

After having issues with not being able to bang in a SFN straight due to a wonky steerer tube cut, I bought a Hed Doctor.

When I bought the next set of forks, I realised that you can get a SFN-banging-in-straight tool for less than the price of a Hed Doctor.

I bought the tool.

And I’ve since found out that the Hed Dr. is corroded into the steel steerer…

Defo stick with the star, the hope one is soo bad and breaks really easily.

hammering a spring – hmmm ok – make sure you have the rebound turned up though or you are likely to end up with hammer in the eye 🙂

hammering a spring – hmmm ok – make sure you have the rebound turned up though or you are likely to end up with hammer in the eye

No you stick the crown over the corner of the work bench so you’re not actually using the bouncy bit of the fork when hammering……..

The HD fits snuggly into the steerer tube so using that to push the SFN into place keeps it perfectly straight, or maybe i was just lucky!!

I realised that you can get a SFN-banging-in-straight tool for less than the price of a Hed Doctor.

Yup I’ve got one of those. It may be a numpties-only tool, but my SFNs are straight!

Yup I’ve got one of those. It may be a numpties-only tool, but my SFNs are straight!

And it’s a risk and pain-free, massive piece of wee. Did another fork on Monday night, steerer and tool held in one hand, free, no support/bracing/ eyeing it up. No tapping, no straightening hits, no wondering if it’s in far enough. Three whacks with a hammer on the nobble and we’re done.

£8.99 well spent. £2.24 per installation and falling. Just after a bob-on square hacksaw cut, so not just for numpties.

We’re on the same page Ned.

(& usually, the cost of the tool is less than the petrol of 2 trips to LBS).

I’m with you Ned – cheap tool that makes a job very quick and painless. Faffed with a few Head Doctors before I gave up.