zeego
06-27-04, 02:45 PM
In what sequence do you tighten the stem bolt/cap and the neck bolt on the heasdset? My wheel isn't moving freely and for some reason I'm having trouble getting the right adjustment. Its weird - thanks.
Bicycle Mechanics - Trouble with stem/headset
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Retro Grouch
06-27-04, 03:06 PM
First, was it ever right? Headsets don't normally tighten up on their own. If you've crashed or may have broken something, you might as well get it fixed before you mess with adjusting your headset.
To free up your headset, first loosen the bolts that snug the stem to the steeer tube. There's normally two of them and they are usually on the side facing the rider. Loosen them enough so that the stem will rotate freely. The stem is what really holds your headset in adjustment.
Next, loosen the top cap bolt just a tad. See if the front wheel will swing from side to side smoothly. If it does, try to rock the whole fork from front to back. Ideally, you want to be able to make the wheel flop from side to side by moving the frame, but you don't want to feel any "rock" in the fork. Loosen or tighten the top cap bolt until both things happen at once. It frequently takes more than one try.
When you get that to happen, make sure that the stem is lined up with the front wheel and retighten the stem bolts. Do it this way: Tighten the first one until you just begin to feel resistance. Tighten the second bolt the same amount. Not tighten the first bolt 1/8 turn more. Do the same for the second. Continue that process until they both feel just snug. Don't over do it. Stem bolts don't need a huge amount of torque as long as they are both the same.
To free up your headset, first loosen the bolts that snug the stem to the steeer tube. There's normally two of them and they are usually on the side facing the rider. Loosen them enough so that the stem will rotate freely. The stem is what really holds your headset in adjustment.
Next, loosen the top cap bolt just a tad. See if the front wheel will swing from side to side smoothly. If it does, try to rock the whole fork from front to back. Ideally, you want to be able to make the wheel flop from side to side by moving the frame, but you don't want to feel any "rock" in the fork. Loosen or tighten the top cap bolt until both things happen at once. It frequently takes more than one try.
When you get that to happen, make sure that the stem is lined up with the front wheel and retighten the stem bolts. Do it this way: Tighten the first one until you just begin to feel resistance. Tighten the second bolt the same amount. Not tighten the first bolt 1/8 turn more. Do the same for the second. Continue that process until they both feel just snug. Don't over do it. Stem bolts don't need a huge amount of torque as long as they are both the same.
zeego
06-27-04, 04:07 PM
Thanks Retro - I knew there was a way of doing right and toying with it slowly. Its strange how the bolts react to one another. Funny, I fixed my bikebefore I read your reply and it was funny to see that I did exactly what you wrote. Cheers! z