Forum menu
Is it worth buying a specific tool for this task or is it best to take it down the LBS to do? Any good deals on headset press or shall I scour the local wood for a suitable piece of wood!
Various price options on [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=headset+press&_nkwusc=headet+press&_rdc=1 ]Ebay[/url]. I bought one a few years back and it's been great, a little more industrial than a length of stud with a bolt at each end. Think I paid about £15-20.
Lots on here will tell you a hammer and a piece of wood will do it.. at yer own risk!
I have a dodgy bit of threaded rod, two flat bits of metal as oversized washers and some nuts.
When I had lent that to someone, I also used two bits of wood and a mates huuuge vice.
Bish, bash, bosh.
I saw a homemade headset press on ebay for 3.95 yesterday while looking for something else.
Edit: Was [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEADSET-PRESS-INSERTION-TOOL-AT-LOW-COST-WITH-HANDLE-/111025656412?pt=UK_Spots_Leisure_Cycling_Tools_RepairKits&hash=item19d9a5125c ]this[/url] one
Cant few ebay at work! Will take a look at home!
I've used one before (cyclus?) but not available to use anymore and begrudge paying a lot of money for something I may use once every couple of years! Although I don't want to damage the frame!
[i]I have a dodgy bit of threaded rod, two flat bits of metal as oversized washers and some nuts.[/i]
Same here, I think my piece of threaded rod is even slightly bent. It still puts headsets in with no issues
In fairness there is nothing wrong with using a mallet and a piece of wood. So long as you aren't hamfisted.
A proper press is definitely better though so if you can make one or get hold of a cheap functional one then do that.
An LBS will charge you a tenner - plus the time / convenience thing of being able to do it yourself. So a £15 tool is probably worth the money
If its steel, just smack it in 🙂
Aluminium takes a bit more care, but for Ti and carbon get down the LBS or buy a proper tool.
But if often makes overall financial sense to buy the headset and get it fitted at the LBS, most will do a 'deal'.
I am no mechanic and even I have managed to fit headsets with a piece of wood and a mallet to steel, ti, carbon and alu frames. It must be one of the easiest jobs you can do on a bike. I am more scared of cross-threading a bottom bracket (yes, I managed that!)
A cheap, but useable tool seems the way forward.
I agree with the comments about cross threading b/b's! Always a concern that its going in OK but not managed to cross thread one yet!
Last Carbon frame had headset fitted using a cricket ball on a stick, usually used for breaking in cricket bats!!!
Tried a proper press once, didn't like it, finished the job with wood and a mallet. It must be well over a dozen headsets I've knocked in, including a slackset, without any bother. It's fine along as your eye is true!
Good excuse to buy a decent sized vice.
Just purchased the tool tonyd suggested. Any options for installing crown race on steerer?
Yeah, piece of wood and a mallet 😆 😀
A short piece of plastic pipe will do for the crown race, can't remember the exact size but standard plumbing pipe from B&Q is about 1 1/8th and does the job perfectly. Alternatively, if it's not a split race just take a hacksaw to it and split it - makes it easier to get off later too.
Edit: and the obligatory mallet of course.
I invested in the correct tool.
[img] http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSpT8yw0VJnPwo_2w1gAmtPoshQrrj8tagQTvggICFIigopRNEEAw [/img]
(I do own a headset press- and yes it's a little easier than the mallet sometimes, but then again it exploded ChrisL's headset entirely, and it's jammed in others, and it refuses to work on my works slackener headsets... The rubber mallet is compatible with all.