Headset order:

[Shut Up Legs]

Given the situation of a) your apparent limited knowledge, and b) the safety aspect of riding - I'd take the whole lot to a bike shop and get them to put it all back together for you - small price to pay for the comfort of knowing it's correct and safe to ride.

Rob

Nobody would ever learn bicycle maintenance if they took that advice. As others already mentioned, there are tutorials on the internet for headset installations. I installed a new headset on my touring bike a few years ago, and found it surprisingly easy, even though I was almost certain I'd stuff it up somehow.

 

[terriers]

The compression ring is upside down. (The grey thing with notches on it)

Fork in, upper race as you have it. The add the compression ring. This is in effect a wedge and tightens the top race against the bearings. Then the upper ring and seals. Now add spacers, then the stem, with 3 mm of stem above the top of the steerer. Now add the topcap and tighten the bolt. The topcap acts on the stem, then the spacers, then the top cover and compression ring preloading the bearings. Once you've eliminated teh play, tighten the stem bolts. This holds everything in place. Simples. (once you know how)

Cubist........ That is fantastic, thank you so much for your very clear set of steps to follow.
I now finally understand what the rubber ring does and how it works!!
I will take apart and do it again later.

 

[terriers]

Nobody would ever learn bicycle maintenance if they took that advice. As others already mentioned, there are tutorials on the internet for headset installations. I installed a new headset on my touring bike a few years ago, and found it surprisingly easy, even though I was almost certain I'd stuff it up somehow.

 

[terriers]

Shut Up Legs Thank you for your advice and your message.
I have looked really hard but have not found one that uses a rubber ring as compression so I have been puzzled.
Cubist posted a reply explaining how it all goes together so hopefully I will be sorted, thanks again.

 

[terriers]

Oh well......... no luck.
The bearing cup? will just not locate on to the bearings, tried pushing the rubber ring really tight but it still sits just above the bearings.
What makes it more difficult is not being able to get the tube central to begin with to try and put the thing in place, I figured the rubber o ring would hold it after it was in, or located correctly but I am struggling......and getting annoyed.... all the videos I have watched it is all so straightforward!

 

[roadrash]

@terriers where abouts in the country are you

 

[terriers]

@terriers where abouts in the country are you

Manchester

 

[terriers]

Manchester

Why do you ask?

 

[TissoT]

North or south Manchester

 

[terriers]

North

North or south Manchester

North

 

[TissoT]

If You where in the south as iam I could of dropped by to do it for you !!

 

[terriers]

If You where in the south as iam I could of dropped by to do it for you !!

That is unbelievably kind of you thank you ever so much.

 

[roadrash]

i ask because if you was closer to wigan i would have taken a look for you.

 

[terriers]

i ask because if you was closer to wigan i would have taken a look for you.

Could you not come on your bike?
Feeble joke.... thanks for the thought though.
What I should of asked earlier is would it be safe being loose for me to maybe ride to my closest LBS

 

[terriers]

Thanks to everyone who helped.
I mentioned at the beginning that the bike was brand new, it turns out when I took it out of the box I must have lost a stem spacer somehow.
So that was it all along, I have another one that is only 24volts, I took a spacer off that, put it on this one and that was it.
I already feel stupid enough so no comments please