2007 Hope Headset

shivadread

Hi I'm having a problem fitting my 2007 Headset, where do the three shims/spacers go as on the diagram they give with the headset it's not clear.
I've put my headset cups and sealed bearings in correctly, I think, but the forks still have a bit of play in them.
Please help I was in the garage for over an hour last night trying to figure it out

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nicklouse

which ones are you haveing problems with?

oh and have you looked at parktools for a general over view of how to fit a headset?

shivadread

It's the 2007 Hope Headset, and it comes with 3 metal washers/shims. I have everything in place but I can't see how to tighten the headset so it will not have any play in it, everything slides nicely in place, then I slide the spacers on put the stem on and then tighten the headdoctor and still there is play in the forks backwards and forwards instead of up and down.
http://www.hopetech.com/database/Headset_expl.gif
This is the website showing the diagram of the installation of the headset but no mention of the 3 spacers. The only thing I haven't checked is that the sealed bearings are the right way round, but I'm pretty sure they are

nicklouse

sorry what spacers? pics?

shivadread

Haven't got pictures but there is 3 metal shims/spacers that come with the headset and if you look at the Hope website above there is no mention of these shims.

star_rover

The hed doctor is cack. Had the same problem, too much play. The hed doctor wouldn't put enough downward pressure on the stem to pre-load the rest of the headset bearings ; and if you overtighten you will shear the threads on the bolt.
I'd get a regular top cap and SFN and chuck the hed doctor in the bin.
I asked my LBS about it, described the problem and they just laughed and said, why would you buy such a thing?

stevieboy

Like these?

http://www.hopegb.com/voir_SDOC_image_1_tgrandeimage_1.html

Or thinner?

Have you got a suitable gap between top of stem and fork tube to allow hed doctor to pull the stem down?

The hed doctor is cack

- In your experience, no probs with mine after a years use.

star_rover

There's plenty of reports of others having exactly the same problem with the hed doc, not just me. Which is what led me to buy a trad top cap and sfn for 2 quid instead of a replacement hed doc for £14.
Then again, there's plenty of others who reckon it's fine.
What I was implying was that rather than spending hours trying to work out Hope's hopeless instructions, and attempting to get the hed doc to do its job, call it a day and use the good old simple trad method. Then you can get on with riding your bike.

supersonic

Hed Doctors are a solution to a problem that never existed in the first place. The SFN does the job its supposed to perfectly - provides an anchor for the top cap bolt, is fitted easy, costs pence and doesnt come loose or break.

shivadread

Finally sussed it out, I was tightening the stem first rather than the Heddoctor this was the problem. The 3 shims go before the spacers are put on the stem. Had to phone Hope up and the guy was really helpful and talked me through it as the diagram you get with the Hope headset is crap.
Since the heddoctor came with the headset I will give it a try, some people hate it some people love it. Haven't tried it yet but it is easy to fit over the star nut, and what I've learned from different forums is not to over tighten the bolt as this can snap.
Thanks anyway.

stevieboy

star_rover wrote:

There's plenty of reports of others having exactly the same problem with the hed doc, not just me. Which is what led me to buy a trad top cap and sfn for 2 quid instead of a replacement hed doc for £14.
Then again, there's plenty of others who reckon it's fine.
What I was implying was that rather than spending hours trying to work out Hope's hopeless instructions, and attempting to get the hed doc to do its job, call it a day and use the good old simple trad method. Then you can get on with riding your bike.

I know mate, I wouldnt spend £14 one one alone but it came with the headset. I must admit the reviews are mixed!

shivadread Glad you got it sorted, you'll be fine with the Hed Dr, when it come to adjustment this is all i do -

1. Loosen stem completely
2. Tighten hed dr 1/8 a turn
3. Nip up stem
4. Rock bike on brake
5. Repeat until no more looseness felt
6. Align handlebars
7. Tighten stem to correct torque
8. Loosen of hed dr, align top cap properly (because i'm sad)
9. Nip up hed dr just enough to secure top cap (dont hang off your allen key )