I've also considered Clem headset replacement! Mostly to move the rinko style cups onto another project frame which may have more rinko-like adaptability and use a new spare Tange headset on the Clem. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to occur anytime soon with my general lack of spare time... even during quarantine I'm finding I have little extra time for projects. It's weird how this has impacted so many people so differently. I'm extremely fortunate to still be working but work is keeping me busier than ever without even leaving home and it's been a struggle to maintain work/life balance lately. I need some cabin fever projects but can't seem to get to them. This reply itself is a much needed distraction from both work and home.
I've only done a few DIY headset installs and found the threaded rod/nuts/washers press has served me well as long as I go slowly and press one cup at a time... but I eventually added the following tools to my bike toolbox: Headset cup remover! - after multiple frustrating attempts at DIY cup removals (brass rod, flathead screw driver, etc.) I finally ordered one of these and it's entirely worth it... takes a single whack or two with a mallet per cup and keeps your cups intact - good trick I learned (Sheldon, maybe?) is to use a rag and rubber band around the headtube to catch your cups so they don't fall onto the hard floor and risk damage. Crown race setter - I went with the Park Tool version which has a few inserts for 1" and 1-1/8" Crown race puller - forget the model and it's ok but finally got one after struggling with a particular crown race and fork which left little room for any other kind of punch. All of these were eventually acquired over time along with several other bike specific tools and after finally deciding to undertake relatively simple tasks on my own following some highly unsatisfactory LBS services... not one particular occasion but more of a series of occasions at multiple local shops which just left me with a bitter taste and lack of confidence with levels of service and communication and/or a general lack of interest in some of my particular projects which I think further promoted the poor attention to details and lack of quality service and communication. It's funny, but after a few particular botched jobs or non-existent communication I later found myself testing out different shops in the area with small individual services to vet them for potentially bigger jobs. Several failed at even communicating their completion of a job which I found even more frustrating and they lost out on more business. If you have any inclination for future headset replacements or have run into a situation where it has stalled potential projects I'd strongly encourage you to consider adding a few of the basic headset tools to your box. It's entirely worth it considering the time it saves if/when you are able to do the rest of the build yourself. If not and this is likely a one time job and you have a good LBS then I'd recommend letting the LBS do it rather than potentially damage your headset during a botched removal like I have. Best wishes and good luck! Brian Cole Lawrence NJ On Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 11:40:27 AM UTC-4, David B wrote: > Maybe I'm just getting into bike projects that aren't necessary > whatsoever, but I'm interested in swapping up a couple things on my bikes. > I've never replaced a headset before, but I'm contemplating upgrading the > rinko-style cups that my Clem and wife's Clementine came with for something > swankier. > > Questions: > Is this crazy? The current headsets function fine, purely cosmetic. > Is this worth it to me to buy the proper tools? I likely won't have a need > to change headset aside from these two bikes. Some sort of diy tools? > Or should I just let my LBS take care of this? > > The main reason I'm thinking about this is I added a Silver2 shifter/mount > as a headset spacer (works great) and the wider headset cup looks out of > place now that everything's a bit cluttered. > Photo here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-99voyFx5D/ > > Thoughts/ideas/suggestions welcome! > David > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/bb51ce93-a855-48ed-b6ef-cf82afaf2c2a%40googlegroups.com.
