How To Install Road Bike Headset
When it s working as it should you probably won t notice your headset too much but you will become conscious of it if it needs regreasing or starts to wear out because your steering will begin to suffer.
How to install road bike headset. The headset is the bearing assembly that connects the front fork to the frame and permits the fork to turn for steering and balancing. Learn how to build your own road bike. If possible disconnect cables shift and brake levers. Never ride with a loose headset or permanent damage to the bearings will result.
A sealed bearing headset normally has a plastic or rubber gasket to protect the insides from dirt. To check for play grab the front brake put a hand around the bottom cup of the headset and rock the bike back and forth to feel for play. It might not be the sexiest component in the world but it does a vital job. Now raise the bike on it s rear wheel so that the down tube goes from headset to bottom bracket or cranks is vertical.
Also take a quick glance at the headset before you install it. Loosen stem and remove bars and stem from steering column. Hold lower threaded race with spanner. The headset is the bearing assembly that fits to a bike s head tube and allows the fork and front wheel to turn.
A headset consists of four races plus associated parts from top to bottom. The upper head race is pressed into the top of the head tube. Free to cycle 9 092 views. How to install a integrated headset on a carbon bike frame bike build part 1 duration.
When determining proper preload hold the front brake while trying to rock the bike forward and back no clunk should be felt. Use any type of rag or shop towel to clean the inside of the headtube so that no debris has a chance of getting to the headset from the inside. The lower head race is pressed into the bottom of the head tube. Our bike headset guide includes a wealth of information on bicycle headset including headset standards maintenance and repairs different headset types and more.
There are a lot of special tools you can use for the installation. The adjustable race attaches to the steerer. Inspect the condition of the head tube on your bike. If you are not removing bars completely use care not to kink or damage housing when hanging bars on bike.
Road mtb women beginners magazine offers bike insurance. How to cut and install a road bike fork duration.