Headset tool - worth the bother or not?

[psyclone1976]

I've been thinking about getting some frame sprayed and swapping bits about on my bikes and have been put off as the only thinkg I cannot do myself is the headset removal/refitting. Used to do some old bikes with a long screwdriver and hammer but sometimes dinged the frame.

Was looking on the net and found a headset press for £43.99 and removal tool for £14ish. LBS chage £15 each time to fit so after a few times i would have made back the cash.

Anyone elso do this themselves? Is it pretty straight forward or can it be a bit tricky to do with home tools???

 

[Andy B]

make one!

Dead easy, long bit of threaded rod, fat wide washers, couple of nuts & job's a good un

http://www.mindspring.com/~d.g1/headset.html

http://www.bikecommuters.com/2007/09/29 ... ion-tools/

http://lazycyclist.net/?p=45

 

[Anthony]

Depends how much money you've got, but that's quite a lot, isn't it?

You sound like you're more worried about removal, but I just use a Z2 steerer, hold it at an angle through the head tube so that it's secure against the cup and bash that with a hammer. Don't clamp the frame, hold the frame and the steerer with the non-hammer hand, and work around the circumference. Doesn't seem to damage the headset cup, as the steerer is smooth and vaguely similar circumference.

I press the cups in one at a time with two clamps, one each side, and two pieces of wood to protect the cups. Never had a problem. Somebody on here suggested putting the cups in the freezer overnight to shrink them a fraction, and I found that did help quite a bit.

And I fit the crown race using a piece of wood with a 32mm hole drilled in it and bash that with a hammer, again working around the circumference. Not compressing the forks though! I put another piece of wood under the crown, long enough to reach the floor and hit against that.

Great stuff, wood. Don't knock it!

 

[IbocProSX]

I also made a press in tool from threaded rod, nuts and washers, works a treat. But I did fork out some $$ for a headset cup removal tool, never felt happy with the screwdriver option.

Enjoy!!

Small hi-jack: who uses the King headset press-in adapter? can I do without or is that a no-no?

 

[psyclone1976]

andy b - cheers for the links will give that a go.

 

[billinjah]

im of the belief that if your prepared to spend over a grand for a frame a hundred for a headset why wouldnt you spend a small percentage of this to install them correctly so many headtubes are ovalised through incorrect fitting you can beat a propr press home made jobs just dont work as well i wouldt risk it!

 

[icantthinkofausername]

im of the belief that if your prepared to spend over a grand for a frame a hundred for a headset why wouldnt you spend a small percentage of this to install them correctly so many headtubes are ovalised through incorrect fitting you can beat a propr press home made jobs just dont work as well i wouldt risk it!

Nice to know I am not the only one. Go into the shop at a quiet time and take a pack (or two) of biscuits and see what happens..... Worked for me.

 

[psyclone1976]

im of the belief that if your prepared to spend over a grand for a frame a hundred for a headset why wouldnt you spend a small percentage of this to install them correctly so many headtubes are ovalised through incorrect fitting you can beat a propr press home made jobs just dont work as well i wouldt risk it!

Nice to know I am not the only one. Go into the shop at a quiet time and take a pack (or two) of biscuits and see what happens..... Worked for me.

Cool, thanks for the details. Think I will ask santa for a real one rather than knacker my frames.

LBS is AW cycles. never really quiet as far as i've seen

 

[icantthinkofausername]

Where are you based Psyclone?

 

[Martin]

Bought one myself too, first I thought I would allmost never use it. But allways the time you need it the LBS is closed. So 30 euro's lighter and some tools added the box.