Hey all,

So I'm aiming to be the slowest IRO build so far, I think I'm on my way.

Anyway, on the install of the headset. This is pertaining to a Cane Creek S3, 1 1/8" threadless, on the IRO group buy frame.

I understand everything that takes place in a typical headset install in a bike shop. However, I was semi-planning to assemble everything myself. I have access to a machine shop, but not the specific tools a bike shop would have (reamer for frame, crown race cutting tool). Has anyone, on this frame or otherwise, gone ahead and installed a headset without prepping these surfaces with said tools? Is this a horrendous idea? Thoughts and flames otherwise?

I haven't inspected the surfaces yet to see what kind of press fit I'm actually looking at, so maybe that will answer my question.

I'm not dead set on not having a shop do it, I just thought I'd give it a go if these steps weren't all that necessary.

Thanks!

Yes you can install a headset or BB without first prepping the frame. What happens is you will be pressing the cups of the headset into the head tube and if the upper and lower surfaces aren't parallel then the bearings wont be perpendicular to the steerer tube. This misalignment will be slight and basically it will not cause too many issues...bearings will wear out faster and maybe the fork is very slightly harder to turn (but there is so much force you will easily overcome this). Shouldn't cause major issues. The BB is the same deal...if you don't face it the surfaces wont be perfectly parallel and you will wear out your BB faster....this was a big issue with cup and ball BBs and is also with outboard BBs but not so much with cartridge bearing BBs like most will use.

I got the bottom bracket tool to install the Miche BB, and with plenty of grease they went in, but there was resistance. I am sure it could have used a chase, but it worked out well enough. It did peel up some of the paint, but i think all is well with it.

I just lucked out and won a park crown race setter and cup press on ebay, both sold locally, so no shipping! Should pay for itself in about 3 or 4 headsets. Cannot wait to give them a try soon. Now just have to worry about cutting the fork straight and getting my stem in the mail. so no winners for slowest build can be awarded yet.

I installed A S-3 on my group frame. I did no major prep and everything went together very smoothly. I've been riding it now for the last 2 and 1/2 weeks and have absolutely no issues with BB or headset. The bearings on the headset are very smooth. It did take a lot of effort to press the cups in,I did it with a homemade bearing press tool but they went in very straight and flush to the headtube. for the BB I used a plumbers pipe brush to clear the powdercoat overspray from the threads and used some synthetic grease on the BB threads it went in with no effort at all. I'm getting ready to remove the boat anchor I got a cheap carbon fork off EBay so I 'll look at the bearings on the headset then. The way they perform now I don't expect to see any problems.

trust me, I will have the slowest build.

I've always just installed the headset cups with a hammer and a wood block.

i "installed" my headset with a rubber mallet. no frame prep.
to install the fork race, i drilled a 1" hole in a 2x4 and pounded around until it went on.
it's sounds crude, but i did it carefully and everything is smoooooth.

^^how I plan to do it.

If you're going to buy nice stuff, put it together right. You can save money doing it wrong, but why?

My IRO's BB was close to being OK, but the head tube was not. Quite a bit of metal was shaved off to make the ends parallel.

Spend the $$$(beers) to get the frame right. You'll thank yourself later.

BTW, Don't look at your frameset too long. The paint will flake off(in fear of you).

Remind me to not have you do my next build.

I'm a contender for slowest build... I'm still in the parts collection phase... I've got a few things so far like tires, brake bits, handlebar + tape, and hubs, but i can't do much assembling at all until the rims and drivetrain arrive and i get the fork and headset installed.

Nice stuff?
it's a $150 frame and a $20 headset. (edit: yeah, it's nice, just relatively inexpensive)

Doing it wrong?
I've installed at least 5 headsets this way, threaded, threadless, ****ty loose ball, chris king.... and have never had a problem, even after years of use.

but yeah, i'd love to have the proper tools to perform an elegant installation. i do have a proper headset removal tool!

I got my headset on okay w/o facing and all is well.

As for the BB, the threads sucked, sorely needed to be chased. Did that and installed the BB fine. Used a phil BB so didn't need to face.

Chances are my LBS is too incompetent to do all the reaming, facing, and chasing, and then will charge $60 for labor. I'll go with the woodblocks hammers and screwdrivers method. Maybe they can cut my steerer and install a star nut.

Rather than use hammers, mallets, etc... use the home-made DIY headset press. A LONG bolt, a nut, and a stack of really wide washers!

All I did for prep was sand off all the paint on the inside of the tube. My Shimano 600 headset pressed right in.

You've been lucky five times...

...but one mistake will make you very sad

The right tools are at you LBS. A good attitude and a 6-pack should get the job done, after the shop closes.

Buy the mechanic a beer every now and then, it's good for the soul.

I don't even have any parts yet.

I dont either.
I haven't even opened the box with the frame.
In fact, it's not even here.

This method worked well for me, until I managed to crack my miche HS in half. Still, I would much rather use a makeshift press than risk ovalizing the headtube with the mallet/woodblock approach.

pics!

i'm not endorsing the mallet/woodblock installation.
just saying... it can be done if you got your frame delivered to your office, you get home at 9pm and want to put your bike together to ride that night, but you don't have the proper tools.
i don't have so much patience.
i was the kid that got a gi joe/starwars figure, opened the package leaving the store and would lose all the guns/accessories by the time i got home.

I'm in the hunt for slowest build, too.

I'm still trying to buy a few parts on the cheap - but too many high bidders on my ebay finds these days. I'd also love to match my Stronglight Speedlight DS crankarm up with a NDS arm, 170mm, square taper. Anyone?

It's not really worthy of a picture. Just imagine the top cup of a loose ball headset, then imagine a big, debilitating crack in it.