Mountain Biking - headset installation

I was at a local bike shop and I was told that I would have to have an aftermarket headset PRESSED in. Is this true? The only reason why I question it is b/c they've actually told me not to waste my time on aftermarket parts, just buy a $2500 bike from them instead...... Crappy customer service if you ask me.

I was told that I would have to have an aftermarket headset PRESSED in.
correct, but you can do it at home with some ingenuity

any tips on how to do so? I don't wanna screw anything up. I still need to actually buy the headset, stem, handlebars, and seat before I can even ride :(

The only reason why I question it is b/c they've actually told me not to waste my time on aftermarket parts, just buy a $2500 bike from them instead...... Crappy customer service if you ask me.
If you are building up a bike, they is some truth to this. If you bought a $2500 bike from the lbs, it would probably cost $3000 to build up with seperate parts.

That said, if you are doing a specific build with exactly the parts you want, then you might not like what they have to offer. so yeah, dont listen to them

Why is having them do this such a problem? Buy you headset where ever you please and then have the shop press your headset. Pressing a headset correctly is very important, bike shops use $100+ tools to do it. If you really must do it your self here is a link on how to mack your own headset press.

http://www.mbaction.com/detail.asp?id=1440

http://www.instructables.com/id/E4FNIQYI2OEP286CNS/?ALLSTEPS

well, I don't necessarily have a problem w/ paying someone to do it "right" for me. I'm just kinda leary of having them do the work b/c they are probably gonna try to screw me over. I'm perfectly mechanically inclined, I trust my abilities, just wanted a 2nd opinion. Plus, I figured some of you guys knew what you were talking about. Thanks for the write ups, I was actually thinking something like that before I read it, good to know there is a lil bit more detail to it :D! Thanks guys! Peace, Wes

If you are building up a bike, they is some truth to this. If you bought a $2500 bike from the lbs, it would probably cost $3000 to build up with seperate parts.

That said, if you are doing a specific build with exactly the parts you want, then you might not like what they have to offer. so yeah, dont listen to them


Oh I agree w/ you totally, but this is something I think I'm fully capable of doing myself..... So why not try ;). HOWEVER, if I do mess up installing the headset, I'll pay the $50 to have it put in :D.

Oh wow!!! $50 to have a headset pressed that insane!! Go find your self a new lbs.

Oh wow!!! $50 to have a headset pressed that insane!! Go find your self a new lbs.


LOL, so I take it that is high? I thought it was kinda high too, but wasn't sure. What's a reasonable price?

$10!!!!

If you've got the headset press, it takes no more than 5 mins. That's taking your time doing it!

http://www.mindspring.com/~d.g1/headset.html

$10!!!!

What he said. $50 is insane, go find a new shop.

$50 for a headset installed is more reasonable! $40 parts, $10 labor!

WOW, thanks for all of your help guys. I appreaciate the heads up. Expect more rookie/noobie questions from me haha! Thanks again, Wes