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resolvedHey ho, pootling away putting bits onto my new/old steel frame, but the headset and stem needs replacing.
Before I endeavour on it myself I was wondering if it's doable to just replace it myself (I'm happy putting all the other bits on myself, seeing it as a good learning experience) or should I just get the LBS to do it, or would it be a good one to go to the Bike Station's FYOB session?
What kind of price do you think I'd be looking at to purchase and fit a new (and basic) headset?
I guess it depends if you know anyone who owns a headset cup press. :)
The other tricky bit is installing the fork crown race, which can be easy, or frustratingly difficult if the diameter of either part is a hair off. I made a tool for a one-inch steerer tube, but it's not very adaptable.
It's actually a threaded one, I've got a feeling I may be able to strip it down, give it a good scrub down n' grease and put it back together again.
The one on my road bike is threaded and my bike maintenance book stands with its hands on its hips and sucks its breath in through its teeth at that sort of thing. So I took it to the bike shop. They had one for about £20, must check if it has arrived yet.
I had mine replaced at the Bicycle Works for £47 all in last week. Even got the bike back the same day!
I've only attempted once and my advice would be only hit anything with a rubber mallet. Avoid the temptation to use lump hammer.
I hit mine with my husbands rubber coated d-lock since we don't have a mallet. He doesn't know about this,
It probably wont damage the headset if you hit it with your husband. I can't vouch for the safety of the latter, however.
I'd agree with Kim. I think you got a bargain there.
"I'd agree with Kim. I think you got a bargain there."
£47?
You could buy a bike for that...
@chdot "£47? You could buy a bike for that... " Agreed - funny article about headset prices at Bike Snob NY (you have to scroll down a bit).
Going to strip it tonight and peer in and see how it's looking.
After a bit of wiggling it's moving pretty freely, so think some cleaner and a scrub of the bearings and a real good clean of the races should get it up to acceptable levels for the moment. Now, where is my big spanner.
Still looking for an Acronymnic* name for the new bike to replace BBSO. BFG is coming instantly to mind as it's a Giant frame, or RSG - Red Steel Giant has a little of the Zoolander about it, and that can only be a good thing.
I don't know if wives makes a good headset removal tools as husbands, and at this stage I don't know if I want to make such a lifestyle choice for want of a mallet and a bit of pipe.
*I thought I'd made that word up, but apparently it's right.
Homemade headset tools
Cup remover
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mababo/2844071891/in/pool-861846@N24/
Press
http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?m=pool&w=861846%40N24&q=headset
Hoo... looks like another good excuse to go everyone's favourite metal emporium, Wilkinsons.
You'd only need a headset cup remover/press if you were replacing it; otherwise it's safer/easier/best to leave the cups in place as you clean it up. Pay particular attention to the fore/aft areas of the top and bottom races because this is where grease gets squeezed out and fretting occurs, which gives rise to indexed steering. In my experience no amount of cleaning and gobs of LM or MS grease during reassembly will make it go away.
Depending on the stack height required, the Shimano Ultegra and Stronglight A9 come in 1" threaded versions and are great components.
Alternative home-made headset removal tool (not recommended)
+
@kaputnick
Cost of the tools to DIY: pennies
Cost of not wrecking an alloy hiddenset head tube: priceless
yep, that's not likely in this bike :)
Not all my "bargain" tools are so useless, this is a particularly good de-greaser for chain-cleaning machines;
althought maybe not the most "green" it's certainly cheap and effective... and can be re-used if you let the dirty stuff settle on a shelf for a long time.
Thats twice in a day white spirit has been suggested, weird i'd not heard it used in this context before then two people at once......
My mate suggested it as a prep for this stuff (http://www.in2dust.co.uk/) i've ordered a trial size i'll report back once i've given it a go.
so, took it apart and gave it a good scrub down, the races look in pretty smooth condition, no sign of major pitting. The bottom bearing cage is a gonner (when giving it a wipe it gave up its balls a tad too easily).
Is this something I can just pick up at the LBS? I think it's a 1" one.
I have to say, really enjoyable learning how all these things work, sorry about the barrage of n00b questions :).
Simply Bearings will sort you out for balls. Your better not using cages though since you can usually pack an extra ball in.
ahh okay, will give it a go (cue much swearing as balls fly out of greasy fingers).
Actually this topic is in danger of going Waaay of topic. May stop it here :).
Thank you for that image!
My headset is now going to be more expensive than I thought since my forks are...forked. :-(
My deepest apologies, my keyboard has no delete button.
Did you say 'oh for fork sake' when you saw said forked forks. Are they bent/broken or are they suspension ones that aren't holding you in suspense any more?
More like forking hell at the price. :-) Will try the bike station though.
It was a bodge job done previously (not by me I hasten to add) to get the previous headset to fit.
If you are looking for a bargain headset, have a look at this a FSA Orbit Xtreme Pro Headset- 1 1/8 In for £20 that 78% off £89.99!
Bearing replacement seems to have done the trick, turning smoothly now. Annoyingly while taking apart my front shifters to put new gear cables in I managed to strip the head off the screws holding them in. Argh. Should've stopped, but was just kind of caught up in getting the job done.
Cue trip to screwfix tonight for an extractor!
Otherwise only the chainset left to shift, the front dérailleur to attach and the chain to thread up and I'm good to go!
All up with a new seatpost and the new bearings I'm at about £45!
Hurray it's done, test ride into work not bad. Lot of fettling still to do (front derailleur and brakes!) but it's a real rolling bicycle again.
...and I think I've settled on the name Gunshot, as the model number starts with GSR (one for CSI viewers there)
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