Tightening threadless headset
01-07-06, 10:56 PM
#1
Feed me your soul!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 3,018
Bikes: Torelli 20th Anniversary, Trek 2000, Kona NuNu
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Tightening threadless headset
I've got a stronglight headset that now has some play when the front brake is applied, and I rock the bike back and forth. I know it needs tightening, but I don't want to screw it up.. 
I would just take it to the lbs tommorow, but alas...its closed, and I really want to ride it.
I would just take it to the lbs tommorow, but alas...its closed, and I really want to ride it.
01-08-06, 02:08 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,191
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
92 Posts
In general, threadless headsets are easy to adjust. See for detailed instructions:
https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=65
In summary:
1. Loosen (horizontal) pinch bolts that clamps the stem around the steer tube
2. Tighten (vertical) adjusting bolt on top of stem. This "preloads" the headset by essentially compressing the system. Tighten enough to remove play, but not bind
3. Tighten (horizontal) pinch bolts.
4. Done - go ride.
https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=65
In summary:
1. Loosen (horizontal) pinch bolts that clamps the stem around the steer tube
2. Tighten (vertical) adjusting bolt on top of stem. This "preloads" the headset by essentially compressing the system. Tighten enough to remove play, but not bind
3. Tighten (horizontal) pinch bolts.
4. Done - go ride.
01-08-06, 08:58 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: North Central Massachusetts
Posts: 1,281
Bikes: Cannondale R600
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
^^^ What he said.
The only "trick" is that the pinch bolts allow you to make the adjustment with the vertical bolt, so they should be loosened, the vertical bolt adjusted, and then retightened. Sometimes people incorrectly just try to tighten the vertical bolt.
The only "trick" is that the pinch bolts allow you to make the adjustment with the vertical bolt, so they should be loosened, the vertical bolt adjusted, and then retightened. Sometimes people incorrectly just try to tighten the vertical bolt.
