Fitting new headset

[stumpy66]

They can be a real pita to get fully on. Grease (which you've obviously already done) and force. A block of wood resting on the race and hit with a mallet will sometimes work. I've read of people heating steel races before fitting them, but I'd be very reluctant to do that with a carbon fork.

I wish more companies would supply split races, like WTB used to. As a last resort I did once hacksaw a split in a crown race. It worked, but it was only on a cheap bike which was used for short shopping trips.

Yeah I was worried with the amount of force it was taking. It's a alloy steerer with carbon fork blades

 

[Andy_R]

You could try over-tightening the pre-load bolt then slacking it back off - that might tighten things up a bit, but if you go down that road, be very careful.

 

[stumpy66]

Ok ta

 

[Andy_R]

If the crown race starts moving then you're in a good place. If the star fangled nut starts moving, that's not good, so stop and have a cup of tea and a think.