Installing Chris King headset cups - freezer method ok?

[MJN]

I have fitted litterally hundreds of headsets and never needed anything other than a headset press and a smear of grease,heating/cooling totally unneeded for this application.I have frozen 2tonne lifting lugs into ladle arc tundishes using liquid nitrogen before though,great fun trying not to stick your skin to the metal :shock:

 

[lumos2000]

Some other brands are frighteningly tight to install and remove! (Hope particularly!)

i just fitte a hope, very tight. i thought i was going to break something :?

 

[Wold Ranger]

Hope

To be honest I don't rate any of the Hope stuff at all! They seem to have their own set of rules with regards to machine tolerances. The headsets are a sod to fit and remove, the bearings go tight after a few rides, in the same headtube, where others are no problem, The stems don't fit properly, I have two that wont't grip the bars, the front clamps butt up tight against the main bodies face ,other stems fine on same bars, the brakes need a service every few weeks or start to drag the pads on the discs (pistons won't return) The seat tube clamps are much smaller than they state, the QR's soon lose the anodising and go stiff very quickly.
If you complain, its always not them, but other manufacturers faults!

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

The freezer method? Really?!?

Just use the threaded bolt and washers to emulate a proper press...that would be my solution. You can even find washers with the O.D. that match King's own cup press adaptor tools.

+1

I have bike parts all over the apartment. If they start showing up in the freezer, I can expect divorce papers to start showing up at my job.

 

[clockworkgazz]

Re: Hope

To be honest I don't rate any of the Hope stuff at all! They seem to have their own set of rules with regards to machine tolerances. The headsets are a sod to fit and remove, the bearings go tight after a few rides, in the same headtube, where others are no problem, The stems don't fit properly, I have two that wont't grip the bars, the front clamps butt up tight against the main bodies face ,other stems fine on same bars, the brakes need a service every few weeks or start to drag the pads on the discs (pistons won't return) The seat tube clamps are much smaller than they state, the QR's soon lose the anodising and go stiff very quickly.
If you complain, its always not them, but other manufacturers faults!

took out a hope headset last night and totally agree- feckin tight :evil:

 

[Wold Ranger]

Hope

They seem to be on an ego trip that their stuff is good when it sucks! a lot of their good reputaion was built on the original C2 and DH brakes which were brilliant, not much else has been since though!