Headset tool - worth the bother or not?

[IbocProSX]

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!

Though I agree on the general principle of the balance you describe, I just happen to like tinkering with my bikes and professional headset tools are way OTT for incidental use. Indeed the homemade one does not work as well, but I take a little more time and care to compensate. No ovalised headtubes since 1992.

And as for incorrect fitting, I've been surprised by the condition of some stuff I've picked up after work done by professionals both positive and negative. On average though, I take better care of my stuff. Don't get me wrong, there are very good mechanics out there, much better than I will ever be, but I have a significant "miss" rate.

 

[Carsten]

problem with the threaded rod and simple washers is that it will not center the rod and the cups may not go in square. it's not as bad as using a hammer but far from optimal. same with pounding out the cups using a rod. even if one is careful and works the way round the cups they will not go in or out square and may ovalize the head tube.
i have bougth the tools from this ebay seller and they work really well.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmtbtools

the press is great but cumbersome and i would invest in a park or cyclus if i would use it more often.

carsten

 

[psyclone1976]

i have bougth the tools from this ebay seller and they work really well.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmtbtools

Looks like he's selling a homemade version !!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mountain-Bike-BMX-R ... 911.c0.m14

 

[Carsten]

yeah, the tools are all kinda "home made" but pretty professional nonetheless and the stepped "washers" for the press make all the difference as they center the threaded rod and the cups go in perfectly straight. the cup removal tool and the race mount tool are pretty good too.

Carsten

 

[icantthinkofausername]

Psyclone-you can use my headset press if you want. It is a DIY jobbie but I have had my dad machine some nylon cones to get the cups in straight. Im in Newbury if you are interested.

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

Used the threaded rod washers and nuts for years but invested in a Cyclus Head Tool on the bay and couldn't be happier. I think I paid ~$49 for it.

 

[psyclone1976]

Psyclone-you can use my headset press if you want. It is a DIY jobbie but I have had my dad machine some nylon cones to get the cups in straight. Im in Newbury if you are interested.

Hi, thanks for the offer, once I get sorted and know what I need to put on which bike I might give you a shout.

 

[greenstiles]

I used to be a mechanic/shop manager.........................i would do as others have said on here for home use, make one, it's an easy thing to do and to be honest some h.set presses won't fit all h.sets....................some need adapters............ie some Woodman, Ringle etc otherwize you would damage the pressed bearings already in some cups...................what seems to work well is threaded bar, nuts big washers and squares of MDF to press the outside of the cup(and not the bearing) so not to damage the metal.............................to bang out alloy cups use stout wooden dowl.

 

[Anthony]

The method I described will not result in an ovalised head tube.

Yes, of course the single rod down the middle can make it go crooked. That's why I recommended that you use wood and two clamps - if it starts going even just the tiniest bit out of line, you turn the clamps around and increase the pressure on the highest part. But if you put the cups in the freezer, they will go in more easily anyway and there really isn't any call for them to go crooked with this method.

 

[greenstiles]

Oh and use plenty of thin grease and make sure cups and inside of h.tube are smooth and clean of dirt before grease. Align cups carefully to start and little will go wrong.....................ovalizing h.tubes is unlikely unless your a real numpty !