Bicycle Mechanics - loose headset, clueless rider

so... i bought my frame with fork, headset, and BB already installed and built it from there. now i see my fork is sort of flopping around-- i assume a loose headset-- but honestly, i don't know the first thing about fixing the headset. I took my stem off, pushed it lower onto the bike, and then retightened the top bolt-y thing, but no help.

sorry to be so clueless. i searched the forum and didn't find what i was lookin' for.

thanks!

so... i bought my frame with fork, headset, and BB already installed and built it from there. now i see my fork is sort of flopping around-- i assume a loose headset-- but honestly, i don't know the first thing about fixing the headset. I took my stem off, pushed it lower onto the bike, and then retightened the top bolt-y thing, but no help.

sorry to be so clueless. i searched the forum and didn't find what i was lookin' for.

thanks!www.parktool.com repair section. Whether you have threaded or threadless dictates how you adjust it. Messing with HS and stems without knowing what you are doing can result in an expensive faceplant or buggering somethng expensive.

so... i bought my frame with fork, headset, and BB already installed and built it from there. now i see my fork is sort of flopping around-- i assume a loose headset-- but honestly, i don't know the first thing about fixing the headset. I took my stem off, pushed it lower onto the bike, and then retightened the top bolt-y thing, but no help.

sorry to be so clueless. i searched the forum and didn't find what i was lookin' for.

thanks!
well, since you know nothing about headsets, I'd take it to a shop. as sydney said, screwing around with a headset can get pretty pricey and dangerous if you dont know what you're doing.

Your steerer tube is probably too long. If this is the case, the top cap bottoms out on the steerer tube w/o contacting the stem. Typically you want the stem's clamp to extend about 1/8"-1/4" above the top of the steerer tube, so the top cap bottoms out on the stem, and not the steerer. You can get a spacer from any bike shop for a buck or two.

My advice is to get familiar with headsets, its super handy knowledge :). The dangerious stuff if the stuff thats best to know, find a bike you dont care about and take apart that headset. If its a threadless all you need is a screw driver or some sort to install/take out the fangled nut in the steering tube, and usually a 5mm allen key. Take that thing apart and DRAW HOW IT WAS PUT TOGETHER so you know how to actually re assemble it :). As for your problem take a trip down to the hardware store and they will throw lots of stuff @ you that workjs

My advice is to get familiar with headsets, its super handy knowledge :). The dangerious stuff if the stuff thats best to know, find a bike you dont care about and take apart that headset. If its a threadless all you need is a screw driver or some sort to install/take out the fangled nut in the steering tube, and usually a 5mm allen key.

That is easily the worst method for installing a star-fangled nut. Theres a tool made specifically for installation, use it. I love that you say to get familiar with the headset, how dangerous they are, etc, and then yet proceed to give what is probably the worst advice I have ever heard on this forum.


As for your problem take a trip down to the hardware store and they will throw lots of stuff @ you that workjs

Should he look in the headset section of Home Depot? I'm sure they would have some great ideas there. While he is at it, maybe he should take his dog to a gynecologist for a check up. For bike problems, go to a bike shop.

there are plenty of substitutes for removing the star fangled nut, generally i use a metal tube that is like 1mm less of diameter then the steering tube. Have had no issues with that. ANd there are many wrenches out there that are not bike specific but will do the job fine.