Hi I've a frame I need to install a new headset is the local bike shop my best option or is it worth investing in a tool or the good old lump of wood and mallet ? Any advice most welcome ,cheers
tool
It *can* be done with some wood and a hammer but with the tool it's about as difficult as operating a door handle
like most things...it depends.
cheap frame, cheap headset...block of wood will probably do. If it's decent, then tool if you're confident with doing stuff, shop if you just want it done, and/or not confident.
Tool- it's so easy and stress free to use the tool.
I've also used mine to do all sorts of other maintenance, including wheel rebuilds and pressing all the bearings in. Should also work at pressing the bearings into my frame when the time comes.
Ok so it looks like I'm taking the tool route and suggestions which tool ?
Ok so it looks like I'm taking the tool route and suggestions which tool ?
A cheap one, or preferably borrowed. There's nothing high tech or precise about them and unless you're in the trade you won't use it very often.
threaded rod and a couple of big washers does a good job of it
Length of all-thread, 2 nuts and large washers
the tool is just a threaded rod and cones which fit in the headset cups.
Either get some threaded rod and washers as above or a vice works well if you have one without much yawing/slack in the thread/guide.
I'd only use the hammer approach if you can get someone else to hold the frame steady with the end of the head tube against something solid and flat, too easy to accidentally hit the frame/damage a cup if you try to juggle it yourself.
A good headset tool and you will never be bothered about changing headsets again
The tools are really cheap online now too, a *branded* rod and a couple of big washers...
The tools aren't expensive - I bought a Cyclus one which I prefer to the cheapy Park one. Had it a few years and saved me trips to the shop.
It's better than the hammer and wood method that I used to use.
I just made one the other day that also double up as a press fit BB installation tool. Threaded rod big washers and a couple of nuts. Literally cost a few quid.
The park tools press fit BB removal tool comes with the fittings to use with a headset press. Haven't fitted a headset with it yet but the BB went in great.
It's for a NP mega which is a 44mm headtube tools I've found are 1 1/8" or 1.5" but 44mm is 1.7" sorry if I sound daft but do I just buy bigger 'washers' ?
I own a headset press; I use a rubber mallet (no chance of rotating it while fitting, with a mallet) Way I see it is, if you're incompetent enough to damage the parts while fitting with a mallet, you're incompetent enough to damage them with anything. It only takes a trivial amount of care.
If it were one of those £79.99 frames from On-One, I'd opt for the mallet / threaded bar type solutions.
If it's for a brand new Ibis Mojo or similar, then take it to your LBS along with a crate of ale and a few £s and see if they'll do it for you.
That's exactly what I would do.
Otherwise, if you've a Specialized or similar with a semi-integrated headset, then thank your lucky stars and drop the new headset in and pour yourself a beer.
(no chance of rotating it while fitting, with a mallet)
My headset press has a bearing to protec5 against rotation.
Gotta keep thise logos aligned
Yeah, mine has a roller bearing but it still likes to spin them a little at the first turn. (mostly a problem for anglesets but squint logos kill me too)
As above if it was a cheap frame I'd do it myself with a piece of wood, as I've done in the past.
For a decent frame I'd buy a press but if it was a new frame I'd get the bike shop to do it so they can ream the headset if required.
take it to your LBS along with a crate of ale and a few £s and see if they'll do it for you
I'd just pay them the going rate rather than a few quid and some beer. It is a business, not a hobby, and I'm sure the owner would prefer cash for what they are being paid to do.
I was told there was a 10 day wait at my LBS to do my headset so I borrowed my mates home-made 'washer' tool. Added some squares of MDF because of the larger tapered cups and went for it. Slow and steady and started again if it wasn't quite straight enough.
Job done in half an hour.
It's a 2015 NP mega TR 275 so I'm thinking the mallet is out the question might have to grovel to a lbs thanks everyone much appreciated
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Threaded-Rod-M12x500mm-Pack-2/p/511124
+
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Nuts+Washers-M12-Pack-10/p/511129
+
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Flat-Square-Washers-M12-Pack-4/p/190115
£9 and enough to make a couple of them.
Nice one Simon g