Headset Question

dnrc

I've been building up my new frame and all is good but i think it's missing something.

I got frame, forks, headset and some spacers. I've looked it up and it seems to be an integrated headset.

Everything seems tight and OK but the top plug/bolt assembly is missing as shown here:


and


What do I need and am I missing something important?

Sorry for all the question but I last properly worked on bikes back in the late 80's / early 90's when everything seemed much simpler. If you couldn't undo/adjust something back then you just needed a bigger spanner!

There seems so much choice and so much to learn nowadays! At the moment i even find cars and engines simpler!

Also, i need a new front mech as my seat tube is bigger. I have a 9 speed triple chainset but am struggling to find a reasonably priced triple 9 speed 34.whatever it is mm derailleur. Do I definitely need a 9 speed because 10 is much more common?
Thanks.

unixnerd

You need one of these:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... ut_Top_Cap

Bring back the quill stem, life was so much simpler then.

Weejie54

Bring back the quill stem, life was so much simpler then.

Some things were a lot more elegant IMO - stems are a fine example.

marin_maniac

unixnerd wrote:

You need one of these:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... ut_Top_Cap

Bring back the quill stem, life was so much simpler then.

Not for a carbon steerer tube he doesn't.

He needs one of these

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=19009

topdude

For a start you need enough spacers above / below the stem to fill the space right to the top of the steerer. In fact you need to end up with about 3mm of spacer above the steerer tube.
Then fit a bung in the top of the steerer tube as shown in the last reply.
With the stem bolts loose tighten the bung (not too tight) to compress the spacers / stem / headset and then tighten the stem bolts.
Also you can swap the spacers above / below the stem to put the bars any height you like.