Headset removal and replacement

[Rick Sanchez]

Hi Guys

 

Going to start building up a new bike as soon as my frame arrives. Will be transferring parts from my old bike to the new frame, so wanted to know if it is possible to remove (from old frame) and install (on new frame) a headset without any special tools?

 

Want to try and do most of the build myself, to keep costs down and to learn in the process.

 

BTW it is a mountain bike, with a tapered head tube.

 

Any help please?

[shaper]

What old frame to what new frame?

 

If both frames have an integrated headset then will be straight forward.

[Rick Sanchez]

What old frame to what new frame?

 

If both frames have an integrated headset then will be straight forward.

I believe them both to be an integrated.

I just watched a video, and it seemed like he just removed the bearings etc with his hands, but then watched another video and the guy was using some sort of press to install the headset cups. Am I going to have to do this, or does it make a difference that I have an internal headset?

[Rick Sanchez]

Just did some searching on Google. I have this headset :

http://www.fullspeedahead.com/products/cyclocross/fsa-sxe-pro-ie-headset/

 

So assuming I will be needing those tools after all...

[mudda]

Bench vice will press it in. 

 

 

Headset removal tool will get the old one out. Or pipe cut in same shape as headset removal tool.

[floatfox]

Be carefull..as this is how frames are often cracked. Installing pressfit items like headset cups and pressfit bb's without the correct tools is something I will not attempt.

[shaper]

If it is an integrated headset then as per the video you just remove them by hand.

 

If in the other video they are semi-integrated with headset cups and the cups need to be moved from old frame to new frame, then it will be easier and quicker to take both frames to your lbs and ask them to do the swop. It is a 5 min job and should not cost a lot.

 

Otherwise you will need a headset cup removal tool and a headset press to press fit the cups into the new frame.

 

You still not have told us what old frame and what the new frame is. Post pics of old and new frame headset area. It will be easy enough to tell from the pics.

[floatfox]

If it is an integrated headset then as per the video you just remove them by hand.

If in the other video they are semi-integrated with headset cups and the cups need to be moved from old frame to new frame, then it will be easier and quicker to take both frames to your lbs and ask them to do the swop. It is a 5 min job and should not cost a lot.

Otherwise you will need a headset cup removal tool and a headset press to press fit the cups into the new frame.

You still not have told us what old frame and what the new frame is. Post pics of old and new frame headset area. It will be easy enough to tell from the pics.

Have to agree...5 minute job with the correct equipment.

[Rick Sanchez]

If it is an integrated headset then as per the video you just remove them by hand.

 

If in the other video they are semi-integrated with headset cups and the cups need to be moved from old frame to new frame, then it will be easier and quicker to take both frames to your lbs and ask them to do the swop. It is a 5 min job and should not cost a lot.

 

Otherwise you will need a headset cup removal tool and a headset press to press fit the cups into the new frame.

 

You still not have told us what old frame and what the new frame is. Post pics of old and new frame headset area. It will be easy enough to tell from the pics.

Will be transferring from an alloy Silverback Sola 1 frame to a Volcan XC29 Carbon frame.

[Guest Smimby]

If it is a new frame you will not need to press anything into the frame, they do it at the factory.

 

If it is  a 2nd hand one, then chances are it will come with the cups, but carbon frames come with integrated headsets.

 

You will just need to take the bearings out and put it in the new frame.

 

Are you getting a frame ONLY?

 

IE you will take everything from old bike to new?

 

If fitting a new fork then you have to put a "race" onto the fork.  

 

Give us some more detail.

 

With modern frames you hardly ever need to do anything "fancy" at home, it is all just like lego....it fits together.

[Guest Smimby]

If it is an integrated headset then as per the video you just remove them by hand.

 

If in the other video they are semi-integrated with headset cups and the cups need to be moved from old frame to new frame, then it will be easier and quicker to take both frames to your lbs and ask them to do the swop. It is a 5 min job and should not cost a lot.

 

Otherwise you will need a headset cup removal tool and a headset press to press fit the cups into the new frame.

 

You still not have told us what old frame and what the new frame is. Post pics of old and new frame headset area. It will be easy enough to tell from the pics.

 

 

You should not really move cups from one frame to the next....the headset is "part" of the frame.

 

Rather get a new one, and sell the old frame and headset together

[shaper]

Will be transferring from an alloy Silverback Sola 1 frame to a Volcan XC29 Carbon frame.

from what can see of the pics, both frames look like integrated headsets, so will be able to simply transfer the headset bearing from old fram to new frame.  No tools required.

[Guest Smimby]

from what can see of the pics, both frames look like integrated headsets, so will be able to simply transfer the headset bearing from old fram to new frame.  No tools required.

where is the pics?

[hayleyearth]

If it is a new frame you will not need to press anything into the frame, they do it at the factory.

 

If it is  a 2nd hand one, then chances are it will come with the cups, but carbon frames come with integrated headsets.

 

You will just need to take the bearings out and put it in the new frame.

 

Are you getting a frame ONLY?

 

IE you will take everything from old bike to new?

 

If fitting a new fork then you have to put a "race" onto the fork.  

 

Give us some more detail.

 

With modern frames you hardly ever need to do anything "fancy" at home, it is all just like lego....it fits together.

 

New frames don't always come with the bearings (or cups) pressed.

 

I find the race to be easier to fit to the fork (without having the right tools) than pressing the bearings/cups.

 

I take my frames to my LBS to press the bearings because I do not have the right tools. The one time it was R50 and the other 2 times (one removal and another insert) it was for free.

[Rick Sanchez]

If it is a new frame you will not need to press anything into the frame, they do it at the factory.

 

If it is  a 2nd hand one, then chances are it will come with the cups, but carbon frames come with integrated headsets.

 

You will just need to take the bearings out and put it in the new frame.

 

Are you getting a frame ONLY?

 

IE you will take everything from old bike to new?

 

If fitting a new fork then you have to put a "race" onto the fork.  

 

Give us some more detail.

 

With modern frames you hardly ever need to do anything "fancy" at home, it is all just like lego....it fits together.

Frame only, so fork is not new, and will be taking everything from the old bike, as long as it fits on the new frame. I will have a look once the new frame arrives. If it has the cups already in place, I guess I can just move the bearings over to the new frame? 

 

The frame will have to go to the LBS anyway as it has internal cable routing, and I can't do that on my own and an adaptor will have to be fitted for the BB70 to work on a BB30 frame, which seems like the cheapest way to go for now.

 

But my LBS quoted me something like R300 (not including the adaptor) to just move the headset and BB, which sounds like way too much...

[Rick Sanchez]

New frames don't always come with the bearings (or cups) pressed.

 

I find the race to be easier to fit to the fork (without having the right tools) than pressing the bearings/cups.

 

I take my frames to my LBS to press the bearings because I do not have the right tools. The one time it was R50 and the other 2 times (one removal and another insert) it was for free.

Think I will call up a few bike shops, because the one nearest to me, which always provides amazing service, now wants R300 to transfer a BB and headset.