Headset tool - worth the bother or not?

[MikeD]

Now read the first two paragraphs, properly this time.

There are a number of jobs around your bike that are really best left to professionals. Fitting a headset is one of them. It's a job that, done properly, involves all sorts of specialist (and expensive) tools. With the right tools it's dead quick and easy. Without them it's a bit awkward with a high risk of permanently damaging something.

Despite which, we're going to show you how to do it without the right tools. Partially in the hope that it'll act as a warning not to, partially because, well, if you're going to do it you might as well do it right. OK, not right as such, but at least minimally wrong. If you've got an expensive lightweight frame and/or an expensive lightweight headset, then stop now. It's not guaranteed to work even with suitably robust tackle - if anything looks like going wrong, bail out before it gets terminal...

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[bobriot]

My god they are also greasing the steerer tube???????

 

[g_baz]

In my youth I always used the wood, hammers and screwdrivers method, which to be honest never failed me, but at the same time I was never fitting expensive parts! However since buying a King headset for my Chameleon I did invest in a Park Bearing Press which I think cost about £35 and it has to be one of the best things I've ever bought. Makes fitting headsets a doddle. I picked a cup remover up from the bay for about a £10 recently which makes getting old cups out a dam sight easier too.

 

[reanimation]

No comment!

only installed like two in the past 4 years mostly on tough bikes and not posh headsets. worked ok, i don't tend to bash it anyway so step by step we get there.

might try another way next time either shop or a tool like on here