Threaded headset

[MrTB]

I have an old Rockhopper with a threaded headset. I bought this bike from a girl who used it to commute around campus in her college days. The headset was loose and I could'nt seem to get it tight and still move it, so I replaced the parts and am still having a similar problem, only not quite as bad. It's a rigid bike used primarily for road rides and short commutes. Any suggestions?

[wooglin]

Could you be a little more clear. You replaced the entire headset? Or just the bearings? Or what? Who did the work?

If you replaced the entire headset, you may be looking at an ovalized head tube.

[MrTB]

Yes, I replaced the entire headset myself.

[wooglin-at-home]

Still the ovalized head tube possibility. A shop can check that for you. Or maybe the cups and races aren't pressed on quite square. Did you use a press?

[The Gordo]

You don't need no stinking press... Just a nice piece of wood and hammer, a Pint of something dark and tasty and a chip on your shoulder.

[MrTB]

Ya! What he said. Except I was drinkin' a Honey Wheat Ale.

[phats]

Having the same problem with my rock hopper. The lock ring is shot and I am missing a bearing-(this happened during an overhaul that included too many pints of dark and tasty)- I think it is time for a new headset.

or maybe just a steamroller- the cock bopper is my commuter bike and has served me nearly daily for 3 long years (bought it for $120 from a bike shop here in DC)

[el Jefe]

Depending on how many honey wheat ales you had before pounding your headset together with a big hammer and two blocks of wood... You could possibly have put a retainer of bearings (or both) in upside down. Open your headset and check for this. If you're not sure what you're checking for, take it to a shop. There's no shame in having a pro look at your bike and even if he charges you $15-$20 to do the work, it's cheaper and less aggrivating than buying another headset and doing it all over again.

Cheers,

el Jefe

Wordsmith
Guerrilla Revolutionary

the Angry Bitter SingleSpeed Society (http://www.absss.org/index.htm)

[jimilton80401]

I made a press out of a piece of 3/4" threaded stock, nuts and two heavy-duty fender washers. It works fine.
I have used the expensive Park tool too. This works just as good, provided you know what you're trying to do.

[Subscription Guy]

Yeah, do all the double-checking that has been suggested. Make sure you've got all the parts installed properly. Take care to properly tighten it, ride, and retighten it.

THEN, if the HS is still loose, consider the possibility that the HS should be replaced with a better model. Sure, it's brand new, but I've noticed that inexpensive headsets can be problematic. Spending a few dollars more often cured similar problems, for me.
.

[JerseyDevil]

I made my own headset press. I ordered a Chris King headset adapter kit from Chris King ($35). I got all 3 sizes - 1", 1 1/8", and 1 1/4". I got the adapters for a Bicycle Research press with a 9/16" hole in the middle. Then I went to Home Depot and got an 8" long 9/16" threaded rod, 2 nuts, and 2 washers. Then I use 15/16" sockets or wrenches to tighten the nuts and press the cups into place. As good as a Park for $42!
Before that, I used to use a vice and two blocks of wood. That worked okay, never had any problems. You just have to tighten it REAL slowly.

[dirt diggler]

make sure the bearings are installed correctly, sometimes the can be mistakenly placed upside down.


dirt diggler