How to Assemble a Threadless Headset

The headset is the component on your bicycle that connects the frame to the handlebars and allows a rotatable system for you to steer with. The headset is made up of a number of moveable parts. This means all these parts need to be removed if you want to perform cleaning or maintenance to the headset. Making sure these parts go in the right place is the most important part of reassembling the headset.

Things You'll Need

  • Allen wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay all the pieces of your threadless headset out in front of you. You should have 10 pieces total. Most of these pieces will be caps, seals and rings but there is a bolt as well.

    • 2

      Locate the large star nut. This is the nut with two ends that are shaped like stars.

    • 3

      Locate the two black head-tube race pieces. These are the largest cylindrical attachments and each one has a wide end and a narrow end. Screw the narrow ends of the head-tube race pieces onto each end of the star nut.

    • 4

      Locate the two silver cartridge bearings. These are the largest of the silver cylindrical attachments. Place them inside the wide, open ends of the head-tube races.

    • 5

      Place the largest of the two remaining silver rings into one of the cartridge bearings. This will now form the base of the threadless headset.

    • 6

      Place the small remaining silver ring, the compression ring, into the remaining cartridge bearing.

    • 7

      Place the black ring over the compression ring. This is the seal.

    • 8

      Place the black circular top cap over the seal and insert the bolt into the hole in the center of the top cap.

    • 9

      Use your wrench to tighten the bolt and secure the headset assembly.