Installing first headset...

felix.london

...without a headset press.

1/ Can I cover the upper & lower cups with some rag and then press them in place using a rubber mallet or piece of wood?

2/ How do I work out the ideal steerer length?

3/ There's a split in the crown race - does it matter which way this is facing?

4/ Any other tips for a trouble free installation welcomed.

Thanks.

mrmonkfinger

If you're a bit handy then its perfectly possible to install a headset with several bits of wood.

The trick is getting the opposite face of the headtube completely flat on a solid surface that won't damage anything (ie block of wood), and using a nice long bit of wood with a flat end to drive in the headset cup. That way you get all the force going in the right direction and the cup goes in straight. A bit of 2"x4" would do nicely.


I expect there will be someone along now to tell you that you shouldn't ever do that and following that advice will break everything and knacker your frame, headset and hammer.

nicklouse

press... nope they are a very tight interface fit.

you will need a press or a big hammer and something to protect your cup.

be aware that this is an easy way to kill the headset and the frame.

LBS time.

2: experiance or leave it to long and see what is right.
3: nope
4: read park tools.

5: measure 2 time cut once.

felix.london

All sorted. In fact the hardest bit was getting the dust seal (top cone?) down the steerer :?

Left the steerer full length and just used spacers as will be changing the forks at some point anyway.

Cheers for your help

Greer_

If you ever come to do it again, this worked for me -



Copied from my thread -

About 40cms of threaded bar (from 1m length), 6 metal washers, 2 bolts (and 2 spare) - about £1.50 from local hardware store. And then 2 blocks of wood as the washers weren't big enough. It worked extremely well! Seat it first with a block of wood and a mallet, then hold the bolt at the bottom while tightening the top. If it starts going in crooked, loosen the bolt and move it so the pressure is applied in a different direction. £30 saved right there! Just watch the cables don't get tangled

nicklouse

Press one cup at a time. Less chance of it going wrong.

I even do it one at a time with the proper tool.

delcol

nicklouse wrote:

Press one cup at a time. Less chance of it going wrong.

I even do it one at a time with the proper tool.

glad you said that as i was arguing with our kid last week when i built the soda, over this, he was going to fit both cups at the same time using the park hh-p2 but i wanted it doing one cup at a time to be sure it was straight..

Greer_

Yep that pic was taken after I'd pressed in the bottom cup. I wouldn't have been able to do both at the same time!