HELP!! Headset and forks
Thanks to you guys, I have ordered and now received new headset plus RS Reba Team forks. Whilst they look very pretty, I still have to get them fitted. Rob#2 went pale went I suggested knocking out the old headset cups with a hammer and screwdriver, and knocking in the new ones with a hammer and block of wood, so wondered if anyone would help one evening or weekend. Probably best if I travel (I live in Bucks) as you may have guessed, my toolkit somewhat rudimentary.
Willy
PS think I also have dodgy BB so help there appreciated.....
15 Comments:
Dangerous Dave said...
Well - I don't know if Northants is too far but I do have a proper headset press, and head set removing tool... beer usually makes me work quicker too!!!! :)
Willy said...
Beer I can always manage! Thanks for offer - Northants seems a long way away - anyone closer?
Dangerous Dave said...
Haha fair enough I guess it is about 1 hour or so up the M1 and A45.
uphilla said...
When the question was asked about fitting head sets on Singletrack Forum recently it proved that most people use the block of wood and hammer approach to fitting.
I have always fitted headsets that way, also use screwdriver and hammer to remove old one - carefully of course.
It may horrify the purists, but it works.
Farqui said...
Reba's eh, a dependable choice and working well for me on my daily dice with ped's.
Hmmm, my lbs swapped over my h/sets in the past - usually for free if you buy summat. Or take 'em some Jaffa cakes ;-)
Me thinks that Rob has a headset drift and press, drop him an email and see.
Good luck.
Rob said...
Reba, a fine fork.
Headset replacement is very easy but take care, it can go horribly wrong. Joffers hammer and screwdriver method is something I've done but with enlightenment regard as a skeleton in my mechanical cupboard that I was very lucky to get away with. Do NOT do it!!
If you don't have the right tools the round end of a socket extension bar will provide a safe edge to avoid ruining the frame. make sure you tap it out slowly on opposite sides, if it turns over it will jam in place.
A good quality frame and headset cup will go together with ease if you line it up straight. A large socket with a rag over it would make a better persuader than a block of wood as it helps you get it straight. A firm tap is required to make sure it's really home but it should take little force to insert, if it does, it ain't right.
Use a cartridge bearing headset. I'm sure you already know that.
What sort of BB? Has it been in a long time? With most types care with spacers is required to make sure the chain line is straight.
Use Shimano H2 XT, they're the best and the best price. Do not use LX. I did, I regretted it. Merlin Cycles had these for a great price last time I looked.
I'm in Lilley (nr Luton and Hitchin) if you want to bring me the bits I'll be happy to help you.
Dangerous Dave said...
Would never remove a headset with a screwdriver.
I've seen too many good brand new frames wrecked by doing this. Fortunately I wasn't one of them.
If you've bought a good headset, it's worth getting it pressed - just whacking it might damage bearings and end up with it going in wonky. You'll end up with a tight headset and wishing you'd spent £15 odd in the LBShop to do it for you.
Farqui said...
Where'd ya get 'em from ?
Dangerous Dave said...
Chain reaction mainly fella.
Willy said...
Headset was off ebay (Ritchie - Rob2 recommendation..) forks from Chain reaction. Actually its the forks that worry me most....
Rob, would like to take you up on kind offer. I am away from Friday for one week - does mid-week work for you?
Will bring beer - dahnhilla can bring some for you too...
Dangerous Dave said...
Mmmm Forks are the easiest thing to get right, and also the easiest and most expensive thing to get wrong.
Fit the headset, whack the crown race on the forks and shove them into the headset/frame. assemble the top of the headset, decide how high you want your stem and using a sharp knife, mark where the top of the stem comes to on the steerer tube.
Take the forks off, and then cut about 2/3mm below your mark. All you need do then is file off the burr that you get around the outside edge of the forks, and smack in a star nut and you're all done!
Willy said...
Sounds easy....ish.
Star nut? Comes with forks?
uphilla said...
Star nut and easy are not words that go together in my experience - maybe Rob has the tool though :-)
Dangerous Dave said...
Star nut normally comes with the headset... look like: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11268
For a bodge fit, you can use the bolt and cap to smack it in carefully. As in set it up like this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=17589
Otherwise it's a tool like this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7209 to fit. :)
Willy said...
Ah yes, got one of those star spangled thingies with the HS. When I last put a bike together it was sort of a tapered nut - clearly that was some time ago.
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