How to Put a Headset on the Bars

The headset on your bicycle is the part that attaches the fork, handlebars and stem to the head tube of the bike frame. Inside the headset are small bearing cartridges hat allow the system to swing back and forth. This allows you to steer your bike while riding with little to no effort. A worn out headset can be an annoying addition to your ride, making it difficult to push the bicycle in the direction you want to go. Learn how to put a headset on the bars of your bike at home.

Things You'll Need

  • New headset
  • Headset cup remover
  • Headset cup setter
  • 5mm Hex wrench
  • Hammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the headset cap from the top of the stem using a 5mm hex wrench. Using the same wrench, loosen the stem side-bolts to loosen the stem clamp. Pull the stem upward off the steerer tube of the fork and let the bars hang from the front of the bike.

    • 2

      Loosen the front brake cable stop bolt using a 5mm hex wrench. Pull the fork out of the bottom of the head tube of the frame. The front brake cable will slide through the brake cable stop bolt allowing you to set the fork aside while you work.

    • 3

      Slide a headset cup remover, a long thin tool with fins on one end, up into the head tube of the frame from underneath. When you hear the fins snap into place, hit the top of the headset cup remover with a hammer to remove the lower headset cap from the head tube. Repeat this procedure with the bike upside down to remove the upper headset cap.

    • 4

      Remove the lower base on your headset cup setter by pressing the metal tab and pulling it off the bottom of the tool. Slide the upper headset cup of the new headset onto the setter, and slide the stem of setter down into the head tube so that the upper headset cap sits loosely in place. Slide the lower headset cup and the lower base of the tool onto the stem of the tool beneath the headset. Twist the handle of the headset cup setter clockwise to tighten the tool, forcing the headset cups into place.

    • 5

      Slide the lower bearing of the new headset onto the base of the steerer tube of the fork. Slide the fork back up into the head tube so that this bearing sits precisely in the lower headset cup. Slide the upper headset bearing onto the fork on top of the head tube and align the bearing with the new headset cup.

    • 6

      Slide the headset cover onto the fork over the bearing. This cap protects the bearing from inclement weather and debris. Slide any headset spacers needed onto the fork, and slide the stem back into place on the steerer tube. Attach the stem cap to the top of the stem using a 5mm hex wrench. Align the handlebars with the front wheel and tighten the 5mm side bolts to secure the handlebars in place.

    • 7

      Close the front brake caliper by hand and slide the front brake cable back through the front brake cable stop bolt. Tighten the cable stop bolt with a 5mm hex wrench to hold the cable in place, and test the brakes to make sure they function properly.