Bicycle Mechanics - Need Headset Installation Help

I got into an accident the other day and destroyed my Specialized Allez frame. Turns out Specialized don't do crash replacements anymore and a warranty frame through the dealer is way to expensive. What I did was buy an aluminum frame with carbon fork from performance bike on sale for $180 and I am planning to build up another bike with the salvaged parts. The frame came with an integrated headset but no directions on how to install it.

At first I was thinking of switching the headset on my specialized allez over but it looks like an integrated headset with the cups pressed in. probably specialized proprietary stuff and not compatible with my frame. I see all the parts but am trying to figure out how to put it together. I have attached pics if it is of any help.

I believe this headset does not require pressing. Just the basic grease on the cups, rubber seal, cone, center sleeve, but I do not know what the silver spacers/washers are for or where to put them

Try Parktool.com > "Repair Help"

I personally have no clue without putting my hands on it.

Try Parktool.com > "Repair Help"

I personally have no clue without putting my hands on it.

Yeah, I checked and found nothing which is why I'm posting.

I believe this headset does not require pressing. Just the basic grease on the cups, rubber seal, cone, center sleeve, but I do not know what the silver spacers/washers are for or where to put them

You're on the right track! :)

1) press the lower bearing seat onto the fork. At the shop, we'd do this with a ring that has a bevelled surface, and a tubular steel slide hammer to pound with. Or maybe our fancy $400 Hozan press if we're feeling nice ;)

2) now that you have the bearing seat on the fork, grease up the exterior surfaces of one bearing cartridge and put it onto the fork. Hopefully it's self-evident which way it goes on :)

3) grease the frame's "bearing cup" areas and the second bearing cartridge. Lay the other bearing cartridge in the upper end of the head tube, then slide the fork up through the frame.

4) Now slip the silver "split ring" down the fork, conical end downwards to meet the upper bearing.

5) put those mysterious silver rings on next, and lastly the top piece of the headset. The silver rings raise the top piece enough that it doesn't rub on the frame.

6) Add however many spacers you'd like to have under the stem, then put the stem on. Push down on the top of the frame and on the stem to take out most of the slack in the bearings, then use a magic marker to mark the steer tube of the fork where it emerges from the top of the stem.

7) pull the fork back out and cut it about 3mm below your mark, preferably using a saw guide. Then install the star nut, preferably with a piloted star-nut setter such as the ones made by Park Tool or Pedro's.

8) reinstall the fork with the spacers and stem, grease the top-cap bolt and use it to gently preload the bearings just a bit. We're talking pinky-finger torque on a typical 5mm hex key, if that. Now that the bearings are preloaded, look through the slot in the stem to make sure the top cap is not bottoming on the end of the fork's steer tube. If it is, then you need to take off another 1-2mm.

9) clamp the stem to the steer tube and carry on.


Alternately, your LBS can take care of this for you for maybe $20ish.

oh great thanks for the info! so basically grease the inside (containing the bearings) and outside (going into the frame) of the cartridge bearings? Hope i get the rubber seal and bearing orientation correct. thanks.