Headset Press

fatbee

Anyone own and/or recommend a headset-fitting tool?

I know I could/shoud use my favorite LBS. But despite charging an extremely reaonable (or perhaps because of) there's a three to four week wait. Which probably confirms how good they are.

And anyway, I like owning bike tools!

Big Red S

I've got a Cyclus one which I can't really complain about.

Not as nice to use as the Park one, but about a tenth of the cost.

nicklouse

I have a park one but i do fit a fair few headsets. (it will also do BMX type bb's).

El Gordo

What's wrong with a lump hammer and a block of wood or, if you're looking to do a proper job, a length of 20mm threaded rod and a couple of nuts and washers?

Unless, of course, wrecking your frame and headset isn't part of the plan.

dennisn

El Gordo wrote:

What's wrong with a lump hammer and a block of wood or, if you're looking to do a proper job, a length of 20mm threaded rod and a couple of nuts and washers?

Unless, of course, wrecking your frame and headset isn't part of the plan.

I would have to agree that a threaded rod and a couple of nuts with 2 big washers
will do a fine job, although not a so called "proper tool". I'm not a fan of the hammer and block of wood approach but have tried it.

Dennis Noward

Big Red S

Hammer and a block of wood has a habit of altering the shape of softer frames and/or headset cups.

The threaded rod and big washers is better, but still offers no real guarantee that it's all straight (unless it's a big threaded rod, which is approximately what a headset press is).

DavidBelcher

Big Red S wrote:

Hammer and a block of wood has a habit of altering the shape of softer frames and/or headset cups.

The threaded rod and big washers is better, but still offers no real guarantee that it's all straight (unless it's a big threaded rod, which is approximately what a headset press is).

I went for the rubber mallet and block of wood approach when fitting a Stronglight A9 h/set (softish alloy) to my Look frame (alloy head tube) and had no bother. Two tricks which eased the job somewhat;

1) Dunk head tube in basin of reasonably hot water so that there's a bit of expansion.
2) Keep h/set cups in the freezer for a few hours prior to fitting so that they contract a little.

All is still well nearly 12 months on.

David

Monty Dog

Big hammers and lumps of wood might be OK in the days of steel frames and headset cups. but less so when dealing with alloy frames and cups and risk splitting a head tube. The Cyclus ones can be bought pretty cheaply on ebay and will give a lifetime of service.

fatbee

Thanks all.

I've done fine in the past with hammer + wood and threaded rod and the fridge but, exactly as MD says, they were all steel frames, and often steel headsets. But now I'm being asked to fettle other people's alloy and carbon frames, I feel a modicum of professionalism is in order. (Plus I really want to own one!)

I think the Cyclus was well reviewed in this site's sister-comic. Plus SJSCs do one for forty sovs which looks OK. Anyone know if they're any good?

nicklouse

Parktools also do a home use one for about £35.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=12326