Bicycle Mechanics - What size wrench for 1-1/8" threaded headset?

Want to buy a wrench for adjusting the headset height. It's 1-1/8", so what size wrench works? Also what about an adjustable wrench? Thanks.

36mm. At least every single beach cruiser I beat on uses a 36mm headset wrench for a 1 1/8s threaded fork/headset. Contrary to what others may tell you on these forums, these do exist in large quantities.

Thanks. Is this size relatively larger, or smaller, than average?

Er...
You can adjust stem height, for which you need whatever tool that's required to loosen the screw that's on top of the stem, in line with the fork.
Might be a hexagonal bolt, but is probably an Allen key. Undo a couple of turns, knock bolt down, pull/push on stem. When happy, crank down on bolt again. Don't exceed the minimum insertion mark if you want to go higher.

Then you can adjust headset preload, for which you usually need two wrenches. A specially slim one for the headset cup, and then you can use an adjustable one for the locknut above.

Can't determine what you mean by headset height.

Why are your trying to adjust the headset height? Normally you adjust the headset if there is too much play in the fork. Or maybe you are trying to raise the handlebars? This is a different process on the the treaded fork.

Thanks. Is this size relatively larger, or smaller, than average?

What does this question refer to the size of the wrench?

1. Just measure across the flats!
2. Adjustable of good quality and without damaged flats is fine.
3. If you want good answers ask clear questions.

You will have to buy at least one 36mm wrench. The you could use an adj (cresent) wrench on top. The nuts are too narrow to use two adj wrenches.

Sorry for being unclear. I'm not familiar with all this--that's why I'm here to ask stupid questions :p. I meant to raise the handlebar height. Isn't that accomplished by loosening the big screw nut at the stem, then raise the handlebar from the stem area, then tighten the big screw nut? Is the big screw nut the only place to loosen?

Raising the bars is not accomplished by loosening the large nut on the headset. for a threaded stem, it is accomplished by loosening the allen bolt at the top of the stem a few threads and tapping the bolt lightly (use a block of wood and hammer) the stem should then be loose. Raise to correct height and tighten bolt. Do not loosen the bolt completely otherwise the wedge or cone will be in the bottom of the fork and that will be another experience.

Look at the park tools web site for information on bike repairs and Sheldon brown's web site. These will be helpful.

Raising the bars is not accomplished by loosening the large nut on the headset. for a threaded stem, it is accomplished by loosening the allen bolt at the top of the stem a few threads and tapping the bolt lightly (use a block of wood and hammer) the stem should then be loose. Raise to correct height and tighten bolt. Do not loosen the bolt completely otherwise the wedge or cone will be in the bottom of the fork and that will be another experience.

In addition, do not raise the stem so high that the "min. insert" or "max. extension" line is visible above the upper locknut of the headset.

Raising the bars is not accomplished by loosening the large nut on the headset. for a threaded stem, it is accomplished by loosening the allen bolt at the top of the stem .


In addition, do not raise the stem so high that

I am sorry, I just took a look at the stem, it looks like the 2 small "allen bolts" on top of the stem (in the middle of the handlebar) would only raise the handlebar. Maybe I didn't say it right, but what I really want is to raise both the stem and the handlebar, or in other words, to raise the handlebar level by raising the stem height. To put it another way, I'd like the "neck" (stem) longer. This "neck" (stem) is apparently controlled by the large nut at its bottom, so I think the large nut is the one that needs to be loosened. The allen bolts only take care of the horizontal handlebar, not the stem, since it's on the top of the stem. The big nut is at the base of the stem. Do I sound right or not?

I am sorry, I just took a look at the stem, it looks like the 2 small "allen bolts" on top of the stem (in the middle of the handlebar) would only raise the handlebar. Maybe I didn't say it right, but what I really want is to raise both the stem and the handlebar, or in other words, to raise the handlebar level by raising the stem height. To put it another way, I'd like the "neck" (stem) longer. This "neck" (stem) is apparently controlled by the large nut at its bottom, so I think the large nut is the one that needs to be loosened. The allen bolts only take care of the horizontal handlebar, not the stem, since it's on the top of the stem. The big nut is at the base of the stem. Do I sound right or not?

It sounds like you have three allen bolts on your stem. Two actually clamp the handlebars in place, and a third allows you to install, adjust, and remove the stem. There's a chance this third bolt is hidden by a plastic or rubber cap. Here's a few videos showing you what you need.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzeM5iOLQnk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddKuYvQXsTs&feature=channel

It sounds like you have three allen bolts on your stem. Two actually clamp the handlebars in place, and a third allows you to install, adjust, and remove the stem. There's a chance this third bolt is hidden by a plastic or rubber cap. Here's a few videos showing you what you need.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzeM5iOLQnk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddKuYvQXsTs&feature=channel

Right! There are 2 small allen bolts on the very top of the stem in the middle of the handlebar, and there is a big black rubber further down, at where the stem is bent, that must be covering another bolt! I was actually wondering what the black rubber was for. The setting is just like the one shown in the second video you linked. That is really helpful. So it looks like I need to loosen the bolt covered by the black rubber and the big nut at the base of the stem, right?

.. The setting is just like the one shown in the second video you linked.

Good, now you know that you've got a threaded fork/headset and a quill stem.


.. So it looks like I need to loosen the bolt covered by the black rubber ... right?

Yes. Undo a few turns, tap the bolt down to disengage the wedge. Pull stem up as desired, but watch for the minimum insertion line. Tighten bolt again.


.. .So it looks like I need to loosen ..the big nut at the base of the stem, right?
No. That nut holds the fork to the frame, and sets headset bearing preload. You do not need to mess with that when adjusting the height of a quill stem.
Do a search for "adjusting quill stem", there's probably a video for that too, very similar to the one just posted.

Good, now you know that you've got a threaded fork/headset and a quill stem.

Yes. Undo a few turns, tap the bolt down to disengage the wedge. Pull stem up as desired, but watch for the minimum insertion line. Tighten bolt again.

No. That nut holds the fork to the frame, and sets headset bearing preload. You do not need to mess with that when adjusting the height of a quill stem.
Do a search for "adjusting quill stem", there's probably a video for that too, very similar to the one just posted.

Thanks! I just took off the black rubber and saw the allen bolt inside. Good that you told me that I need not (should not) mess with the big nut--I would need to buy a wrench for that.

Thanks all for being so helpful!