loose headset, clueless rider
#1
dc pirate, 4evah.
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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!
sorry to be so clueless. i searched the forum and didn't find what i was lookin' for.
thanks!
#2
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Originally Posted by chimblysweep
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!
sorry to be so clueless. i searched the forum and didn't find what i was lookin' for.
thanks!
#3
Senior Member
Originally Posted by chimblysweep
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!
sorry to be so clueless. i searched the forum and didn't find what i was lookin' for.
thanks!
#4
The Rabbi
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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.
#5
la vache fantôme
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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
#6
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Originally Posted by phantomcow2
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.
As for your problem take a trip down to the hardware store and they will throw lots of stuff @ you that workjs
#7
la vache fantôme
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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.