Headsets

[Sods_Laur]

I bought a frameset intending to build up with bits from my old crashed bike. Well my physio banned me from riding so it's been put away until now when he said I'd be OK. I don't have a bloody clue about how to install a headset or really what I am doing, in my downtime I appear to have bought a whole new groupset in dribs and drabs. Have I bitten off more than I can chew (also I would need to buy a headset as it didn't come with it). I was full of enthusiasm for this project three months ago but now we're about to move house and I still don't have a bike

 

[vickster]

When I was getting the parts for my Genesis build, the headset was the one bit that utterly threw me, so I just ended up looking at the spec of the stock bike and sourcing the same one. I think you need a special tool - my friend who built it did say it was the one thing he may need the LBS to do, but I believe he did go and muy the headset press

Perhaps look on YouTube for a vid?

 

[fossyant]

You have integrated, semi integrated and external headsets, in loads of different sizes, and bearing sizes.

What do you have - bike that is ?

 

[Sods_Laur]

It's a planet x rt58 alloy.

Could I just buy the headset and take it to a shop then?

 

[vickster]

I'd phone PX and ask them but the spec for that bike says... Headset: FSA Orbit C-40 No.42 ACB-1

This one but check? http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HSFSOCF40/fsa-orbit-cf-40-no42-acb-tapered-headset

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT58ALUTIA/planet-x-rt-58-alloy-shimano-tiagra-road-bike

They can presumably supply one (although stocks seem to be low, Google brings up some other suppliers)! Yes, you could pay the LBS to fit it

They are a surprisingly expensive bit of the bike!

 

[John the Canuck]

comments not relevant ..deleted

mine was done on an old steel bike with old style cups and races

good luck with the DIY............

 

[Sods_Laur]

I'd phone PX and ask them but the spec for that bike says... Headset: FSA Orbit C-40 No.42 ACB-1

This one but check? http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HSFSOCF40/fsa-orbit-cf-40-no42-acb-tapered-headset

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT58ALUTIA/planet-x-rt-58-alloy-shimano-tiagra-road-bike

They can presumably supply one (although stocks seem to be low, Google brings up some other suppliers)! Yes, you could pay the LBS to fit it

They are a surprisingly expensive bit of the bike!

Yep that's the bike.

You're not kidding. Will have to get searching, thanks for that.

 

[vickster]

I don't think anywhere else will be cheaper

PX do others, so call them
Tel: +44 (0)1709 38 66 66

This is one reason why building bikes is not cheaper than buying off the peg! (but you do get what you want spec wise)

 

[Sods_Laur]

comments not relevant ..deleted

This all sounds like too much potential to go wrong. I'm feeling the same about installing the bb to tell the truth.

 

[Sods_Laur]

I don't think anywhere else will be cheaper

PX do others, so call them

This is one reason why building bikes is not cheaper than buying off the peg! (but you do get what you want spec wise)

I wasn't so much bothered about how much it cost, it's more a learning exercise.... I am learning that certain aspects of building a bike are beyond my capability

 

[vickster]

Yeah, that and the bottom bracket utterly befuddled me (and I still needed to order spacers in a hurry despite CC advice)...handlebars and saddles are easy

 

[Kestevan]

Suspect you will be able to fit the headset to an RT-58 without a press.... just make sure you get the race in the right way round, and make sure it goes in square.
The BB should be straight forward - assuming it's like the rt58 carbon frame and has an external screw thread rather than a BB30. Just follow the installation instructions and use plenty of grease on the threads

Only things that gave me concern on a recent frame up build were installing the steering tube star nut ( i gave in a bought a proper spacer tool) and the subsequent cutting of the steerer - next time I'm buying a pipe cutter rather than using a hacksaw.