cost of fork/headset install?

barty81

Hi, could someone tell me what i would be expected to pay at a bike shop to get these done on my bike?
- Remove old headset and replace with new one
- Remove old forks with new.cut the steerer,install star nut and crown race
really not got a clue,so some idea what i should expect to pay would be great.

ilovedirt

Phone your LBS and ask?!

Not a lot though usually, £10-£20?

nicklouse

Normally included in the purchase price so ask.

chez_m356

my LBS charges £30 just for fitting forks

barty81

chez_m356 wrote:

my LBS charges £30 just for fitting forks

:shock: that seems alot!!

chez_m356

barty81 wrote:

chez_m356 wrote:

my LBS charges £30 just for fitting forks

:shock: that seems alot!!

it may be, they aren't the cheapest chain around

welsh_14

I have also just paid 30 quid to have new forks fitted and steerer cut. Another shop said would do it for 20 but wouldn't insure work to buy me new forks if they cut the steerer wrong! So went for the 30 quid one who would get me a new fork if they bodged the job!
Worth the extra for piece of mind!

cooldad

Or consider doing it yourself. It's not hard and good experience.
All you really need is a V brake pad to install the star nut, a hacksaw, and a rubber mallet (or hammer and a bit of wood) to install the headset.
Old headset can be removed with a screwdriver and the proverbial hammer.

Or you can get a tool off Ebay to fit the headset for a fiver.

amclinden

I managed to install it my self last week... I'm 14

ilovedirt

My LBS swapped headsets over from one frame to another for me a while ago, as i don't have a press, they charged me about a tenner IIRC. I also took a fork in to them the other day, and they cut the steerer and fitted the star nut for free (i'd have done it myself, but i don't have many tools here at uni). Cracking service! Evolution bikes in Bangor, just so you know.

supersonic

I would charge £30.

Often prices seem a lot because a shop will assume that you are just going to bring the whole bike in. So remove wheel, brake, fork, headset, then all back on and set up.

If you just bring the frame in with fork attached I'd charge less. Or just the frame, less still.

barty81

Convinced me,Gonna give it a go myself.just ordered a headset press off ebay for £7,already got some pipe cutters.fingers crossed i dont f**k it up!!!

cooldad

Measure twice, cut once.

Anonymous

Chances are you won't have to cut the steerer. Try first and see how it fits and pad out with spacers, see what the reach and height is right. Only cut when you're sure there's no other option as once cut it's cut, and it also reduces resale potential.

Fork & headset fitting is easy though but if buying forks from an LBS I'd certainly push for free fitting on the basis of fit it or no deal. They'll want the sale (or are idiots, given the need to compete with online).

Though headset removal involves some guts to really whack the thing out, and be prepared for dents in the walls as the headset flies across the room (aim away from the TV!). Headset removal tool handy, but it's basically a bit of pipe with cuts in it and rubber mallet to whack it.

nicklouse

deadkenny wrote:

Chances are you won't have to cut the steerer. Try first and see how it fits and pad out with spacers, see what the reach and height is right. Only cut when you're sure there's no other option as once cut it's cut, and it also reduces resale potential.

Fork & headset fitting is easy though but if buying forks from an LBS I'd certainly push for free fitting on the basis of fit it or no deal. They'll want the sale (or are idiots, given the need to compete with online).

Never fitted a new fork that as not needed the steerer cut.

Anonymous

nicklouse wrote:

Never fitted a new fork that as not needed the steerer cut.

Forks seemed long on my c456 and was thinking of cutting them, but realised they'd be too way too low for me. c456 basically just has a really low head tube. Same forks on the GT were perfect fit and no need to cut. They've been standard length all along. Pretty sure the forks on the Nomad are likewise uncut and perfect fit but I didn't fit them.

barty81

Thanks for the advice guys. will brave this one out!!

supersonic

Standard length is 260-270mm

ilovedirt

nicklouse wrote:

deadkenny wrote:

Chances are you won't have to cut the steerer. Try first and see how it fits and pad out with spacers, see what the reach and height is right. Only cut when you're sure there's no other option as once cut it's cut, and it also reduces resale potential.

Fork & headset fitting is easy though but if buying forks from an LBS I'd certainly push for free fitting on the basis of fit it or no deal. They'll want the sale (or are idiots, given the need to compete with online).

Never fitted a new fork that as not needed the steerer cut.

Ditto, I tend to only ever run a max of 10mm of spacers under the stem, obviously most steerers are going to come overly long.

Anonymous

As said, it's more about optimum height of the bars for a comfortable ride position. Just don't cut short to make it look neat until you're happy about it's the right height.

diy

I personally wouldn't run more than 30mm of spacers under the stem and maybe 10-20mm on top.

Another shop said would do it for 20 but wouldn't insure work to buy me new forks if they cut the steerer wrong!

LOL that really inspires confidence.

welsh_14

Thats what I thought so I paid a bit extra for piece of mind!
Especially when the forks were RS SID RLT's. wouldnt have been cheap to replace!

hobbitsharley

i just paid £10 at my LBS to have headset pressed in and steerer cut down - oh and some triple chocolate extreme foxes cookies

dhobiwallah

Thread on a different forum with homemade headset tools.

Have had limited success with my remover made from 22mm copper pipe, (got it out but 'tool' somewhat deformed in the process) will be trying the filed down washer next - seems foolproof

Headset press with washers and threaded bar simple as you like!

http://forums.mtbr.com/tooltime/mkiii-homemade-headset-tools-130069.html

diy

Plastic push fit pipe works better than copper. It seems to transfer the hammering better.

barty81

Gonna have a go at installing the star nut with the hammer/screwdriver technique or is there a better diy way for doing this?

cooldad

barty81 wrote:

Gonna have a go at installing the star nut with the hammer/screwdriver technique or is there a better diy way for doing this?

Yes get a (longish) V brake pad, screw it into the starnut, then you can hold the end while you tap it in, and if it starts going a bit skew you can turn the pad to straighten it up.
If you don't have a pad you can use a bolt but it's not as controllable

barty81

Cheers bud,i'll give it a go

Northwind

It costs this much:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-13928-Ru ... 822&sr=1-5

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faithfull-50239 ... 862&sr=1-6

Anonymous

Need to get the old headset out also. Screwdriver will do with some care.

It can also cost you a new frame if you mess it up

barty81

deadkenny wrote:

Need to get the old headset out also. Screwdriver will do with some care.

It can also cost you a new frame if you mess it up

:shock: