How To Adjust A Loose Headset / Tips From A Professional Bike Mechanic #1

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The headset is a really important part of your bicycle and there’s nothing worse or more dangerous than a loose headset. In this video Jim shows how and why you should adjust a loose headset.
Jim The Bike Guy
www.jimthebikeguy.com
/ jimthebikeguy
Jim from Jim The Bike Guy is a professional Cytech level 3 qualified bike mechanic specialising in servicing, upgrading and repairing all types of bikes from his bespoke workshop in West Berkshire. He specialises in high-end road, cyclocross and gravel bikes as well as cross-country race bikes. In his spare time he enjoys riding and racing all types of bikes to an enthusiastic standard.
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Twitter: / davearthur
Facebook: / justridebikesvideo

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Опубликовано:

23 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 148

@Havardr_Ash_Kenaz 11 месяцев назад

This is definitely the best guide on RU-vid for headset adjustments.

@DI-ri9md Год назад

By far, hands down, the BEST guide and (easy) step by step instruction (with logical explanations) regarding headset adjustment and addressing looseness!! Thank you VERY much!! You've helped enormously!!

@Metso-ateco Год назад

I followed it closely, mine is the old star nut, the clunking just wont go away but strangely it is not getting anyworse, the star nut looks fine, it must be the top bearing that has worn out slightly? As when i pull the break and rock the bike back and forth the clunk and slight movement is coming from the top of the stem and not the bottom, any ideas???

@Squad44ICOhappened 3 месяца назад

@@Metso-ateco It could be your races are worn and if you can replace them you're in luck. If the headset is integrated into the frame, then you might be able to get away with shimming with aluminum cans, but ultimately your frame is toast if you cannot get the clunking out. If you have a carbon fork or heck even an aluminum fork, you're playing with fire. I have sheered an aluminum fork on my aluminum frame riding with a loose headset, aluminum frames do fatigue compared to other frame materials.

@andyphilpotts4636 2 месяца назад

Really good guide, explaining not just the how, but more importantly, the why. Highly recommended

@pigeonpoo1823 2 года назад

Thanks That test of moving the bars from the top cap.... brilliant. Never seem that before. Look forward to more videos!

@Chrisb286 2 года назад

Very clear and precise, thank you for sharing 👍🚴‍♂️

@davidarthur 2 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@jimthebikeguy 2 года назад

Glad you liked it! More to follow... 👍😉

@sanjaygrover2279 2 года назад

Excellent video - this series is going to be very useful

@98percentGorilla Год назад

Had this exact problem and this was by far the best self-help tutorial I found. Sorted!

@richard6171 2 года назад

Thank you for a very detailed and thorough presentation. I watched four different videos but this one made all the difference due to the detail about tensioning the fork and taking up the slack. My mistake was that I was tightening the adjustment to expand the plug before tightening to raise and tension the fork. Thanks for a great presentation.

@BharatSingh-pw7sh 2 года назад

A brilliant video! Clear, concise and precise. Thank you so much Sir. Stay safe and be well. Namaste.

@jahnzilla 11 месяцев назад

I found this hugely helpful, having struggled with a wobbly steerer for several hours. Thank you.

@-Animal_ Год назад

i'm not even a bike person, but came across your video and wanted to let you know that i like how you present and describe all the steps. Caught myself watching the whole thing without even thinking about it. well done

@cuebj Год назад

Excellent - clear, simple, slow enough to follow. Having only ever adjusted quill stems for many decades, I couldn't follow the pictures about this design in a bike maintenance book so searched YT and got you. My two-year old Orbea urban bike has a star-fangled nut but I assume your advice will work OK. The similar head set on my 2007 Cannondale System Six has never worked loose

@TheChazzer66 Год назад

Excellent video, clear, well-paced and very complete. Thank you very much!

@ericschmidt6129 Год назад

Great video explanation. I added a fork stem extender recently and I didn't realize how the top cap is used to set the bearing tightness. I was able to fix my loose headset in 5 minutes. Thanks.

@user-qd3nz3ht9u 4 месяца назад

Bad ass video my new friend. So clear and easy to understand. Just adjusted my new gravel bike after watching this. Perfect

@garysladek9110 2 года назад

Nice clear instructions, I would just emphasize again that all preloading of bearings done with the stem pinch bolts loose. Very good instructions.

@saint_piran 2 года назад

Nice and clear explanation, keep up the good work 💪

@christopherthomas6644 2 месяца назад

brilliant video sorted all my problems out very informative great job thank you

@datmars1 3 месяца назад

❤ The direction was clear, precise and slow enough to understand. Just bought a new bike a few months ago and have been concerned with the play on the fork, you def gave me peace of mind!!

@ForrestNH 2 дня назад

Excellent explanation and video. Thank you!

@steverhysjenks 2 года назад

Love the simple explanation of how it works

@tdkuk1 3 месяца назад

Brilliant explanation thank you! - subscribed

@nickoutdoors8119 Год назад

Great video. Very detailed, probably best one I’ve watched

@rogerhartley4456 2 года назад

Love these videos - hoping there are more coming!

@karlvardy7367 Месяц назад

Brilliant l, thank you, exactly the explanation I needed to get my head around this problem.

@RobSnowden Месяц назад

Brilliantly done. Thank you for a great video.

@d00dEEE 2 года назад

Put the bike on the floor, grab the front brake and "roll" the bike forward and back (basically just jiggle it against the front wheel). If you feel a clunk, add an 1/8 turn of preload on the cap.

@darrylroberts3615 2 года назад

Yes , this is more indicative than a test ride IMO. Road surface can mask or add a false feeling of job correctness/otherwise. This floor braking lock/jiggle can get you a maximum load test without the danger.

@Metso-ateco Год назад

I tried that but its still the same, strangely it has not gotten any worse, but i just cannot get that "clunky" movement to go away, must need to new top bearing i,m guessing as the bottom does not move or clunk at all

@johnbrooks5903 11 месяцев назад

Just ran into this same issue. You need to loosen the stem before tightening the top cap otherwise you're just tightening the stack above the stem and not compressing the rest of the stack.

@marketshift Месяц назад

wonderful how to video. thank you!!

@SteveSinclair1 Год назад

Good step by step guide. Fixed my issue today. Thankyou

@renuuu1014 Месяц назад

never skipped an ad for this one. invaluable content!

@kevinclark9513 Месяц назад

Very clear and helpful explanation. Thanks 👌🏻

@talldog7769 Год назад

Great video, Thanks!

@kettlebellmusclegain 9 месяцев назад

Great video simple to follow and thank you very much

@user-gp6yq6ri1z Год назад

Clear, calm and correct.... watched the video and then went and fixed my headset 1st go! Thanks :)

@tractorjackie Год назад

You're an excellent communicator and teacher. Thank you.

@tking3 Год назад

Exactly what I was looking for. Excellent!!!

@ElburroE 2 месяца назад

The BEST video on adjusting a loose headset.

@jonathonjubb6626 2 месяца назад

Agreed. I shall sort mine now...

@richardfehr1838 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the EXCELLENT explanation!

@leepunchard4348 Год назад

You SIR, are a LEGEND!! Such a great channel!

@tolstoipie 9 месяцев назад

Helpful, and easy to understand. Thank you.

@tomg6858 2 года назад

Thank you, great guide!

@bubby372 2 года назад

Great tip on the top cap bolt tightness.

@Townchild1 Год назад

Chapeau. During the explanation, there are still questions that will be clarified till the End of the Video. 😊

@donrafaeli Год назад

You, sir, have just taught a man how to fish! I had some inkling of the interplay between the conical parts and the squeezing action, but your explanation drove it home perfectly. I will never again need to watch another headset tutorial :D

@johnsmith815 Год назад

Superb video, easy to follow and very logical.

@thefirstonesitting Год назад

Oh God thank you... thought my new to me bike was broken after changing out stem.. close call all sorted thank you thank you thank you!!

@user-jn8fe1ky3x Год назад

Excellent. Many thanks.

@nowthenad3286 2 месяца назад

Great video - new subscriber. If I hadn't watched this video, I might have done up the stem bolts before tightening the top bolt. I can't wait to watch more videos. Oh....great camera work - very important.

@matthewlewis2072 2 года назад

Cracking vid. Having been brought up in the days of threaded headsets and quill stems, aheadset set ups remain a mystery! Interesting how little tension on top cap is needed. WARNING: like he says, use a torque spanner!!!

@LoscoeLad Год назад

mega ,youth, cheers. i travel a lot and have been fking around for years with my headset ! just about to be sorted, i reckon! thanks a lot

@richardsimms251 Год назад

Excellent video. Thank you

@johnreese3762 2 года назад

Very well done! Thanks!!

@JohnBarrow1961 2 года назад

Really well done. Thanks.

@dvkbwong 2 года назад

Thanks brother, fixed my issue!!!

@garrethmacanchroisan7786 Год назад

Finally!! AVery informative video in layman's terms even a noob like myself can discern, thanks so much

@leonwilliams5748 Год назад

Thank you very much, very useful

@DaneMcCabe Год назад

fantastic explanation mate!!

@DaneMcCabe Год назад

after countless videos...this one explains it all!!

@beforedawn Год назад

Your explanations are always so thorough and clear. Also that bar tape is *!

@SummerSideOfLife 10 месяцев назад

Great info. I just fix my bike with your instructions. You just save a person with little funds to do the repair. Thank You!

@marklarsenradio Год назад

Thank you, sir! I have never worked on a Giant OD2 headset before and was afraid to start in. This video was excellent -- especially the up-close views. I had the whole thing disassembled in a few minutes, new lithium grease applied to the bearings & reassembled in less than 30 minutes. Until viewing this, I thought that top hex screw & washer was just a vanity piece. Whoops. BTW the larger hex into which that the top screw goes into should also be checked for tightness. Mine was not tight -- I'll assume that connects the steerer tube to the fork (?). All good now and no clank! 👍

@calltothewildwild661 6 месяцев назад

Thanks very informative

@Panos_Sfa_Gr 2 года назад

i fixed my bike's headset play - watching your video..it was playing a little bit when i was breaking - it need it to be more tightened - the truth your video open my eyes more - i thought it was the bearings issue

@nicholaspetre1 Год назад

Mate, you re absolutely the best!

@Wals141 Год назад

Very grateful for this video, thank you. I've just bought my first road bike and had this issue, the usual easy fix didn't totally solve the issue. This worked a treat. Needed to go through the process twice (initially made the looseness worse on the first attempt) but got there in the end!

@VishwajeetPandeyGV 5 месяцев назад

Wow. I had a loose fork & was unable to figure out how to fix it. This video helped me fix it right within few mins.

@NolimitsNinja 2 года назад

Thanks. I watched another video and it suggest doing something completely wrong! This was simple and got it right. sorted!

@OldManFatBike 9 месяцев назад

Very useful indeed! Thank you so much!!!!

@kleofasskozacki9668 2 года назад

Great video Jim. I like the way you explain things. I have a question. Can I use expansion plug on mtb, or is that purely for road bike?

@nazarottto 10 месяцев назад

This is the best explanation on youtube.

@DylansDIYWorkshop 2 месяца назад

Thank you for the help. this was the first carbon fork Ive tried to get the slop out of. It turns out the head cap bolt had bottomed out on the expansion sleeve and wasnt functioning properly. I had to use a pair of pliers to hold the shaft of the expansion sleeve and use an allen wrench to get the cap undone. I just added another spacer up top and it seems to be good now

@cknorris3644 11 месяцев назад

Thanks for the great video! Just bought an e-bike and the headset was loose and I couldn't figure it out. I had no idea the gooseneck and top cap actually hold everything in place. The other videos I found before yours didn't make that clear. I was looking all over for a nut to tighten on the stem. 🥵😆

@JosephOberholtzer Год назад

Thanks!

@hunruncom 2 года назад

Great video. Please do some other service video, too.

@AM.94 10 месяцев назад

Great video, helped me out. Gave myself a big smack on the head for not realising the cap sandwiches everything and that's what tightens it all up! Solved the rattle I was having. Thanks!

@davidhanlon9325 10 месяцев назад

Thank you 🙏

@Sertao2013 24 дня назад

Liked and subscribed . Very good video . I have a 1995 Raleigh Ft 500 mountain bike style bike . It has a SR DuoTtack 8005 spring type fork on it . The spring part isn't working any more . I'm 65 this year and I'm not going to be doing any type of riding that I need the shock type forks so I'm wanting to just get the rigid type . I'm trying to figure out what type of bar is going up through the frame and how it all works so I will know what I need for the rigid fork .

@Holden0583 3 месяца назад

High thank you some much very well explained…just a question how tight should the expander plug be in the fork?

@schoi76uk Месяц назад

Thank you.

@DamianSieradzki 2 года назад

We want more from Jim! 6 videos is waaaaaaaaayyy to little

@AORboyo 2 года назад

Best bike mechanic on net, explained brilliantly 👍 HNY

@34dgw 8 месяцев назад

Hi Jim - thanks you for a very excellent guide, it fixed my issue. However, before I watched your video I was tightening the stem before tightening the top cap. I'd done that a few times. Not taken the bike out when it was like that, but anyway, I had still made the mistake. I don't have any carbon spacers or anything else on my bike but am concerned I might have caused damaged by doing things the wrong way round. It all feels fine now though, there is no looseness and I've been for a quick ride and everything seems okay. Should I be concerned or will I hopefully be okay? Thanks again

@utubefood Год назад

appreciate the video, well done. What is the sweatshirt you are wearing? I want one !!

@darrylroberts3615 2 года назад

I like to have the tallest spacer at the top so it reaches the steerer tube wall for extra support under load. With the thinnest one up there it is only being held central by the top cap from the very top. What you think?

@iansellers1251 Год назад

Great vid btw, 1 question ,I have bought a used Merida Reacto and I think the conical bearing cover is not the correct one , it doesn't seem to contact the tapered shim / wedge to take up the slack before it contacts top of the headtube Any tips ? Can I just add a 1 or 2mm washer/ shim to the top of the wedge?

@danfuerthgillis4483 Месяц назад

Almost 90% of the time is the small shim spacers that are in the wrong position on the stack. You don’t need a spacer before the top cap of the steerer tube if the tube is cut to proper depth so the top cap which is tapered comes down and sinks on the space.

@allsam18 Год назад

thank you ♥

@GraphicApe Год назад

great video - quick Q - if correctly adjusted would it be possible to rotate the spacers? I often find the adjustment feels right however the spacers (with some effort) can still be rotated (and yes - have checked there is a 3mm gap at the top of the assembly).

@Gledii 10 месяцев назад

thanks for sharing. i have the feeling that my fork is turning to easy. no loose, but when i hold the bike in the air is very anoying to keep the handle bar sraight. is there a way to tighten a little? by the construction you showed, it seemed that isnt possible without puting too much pressure on the fork tube... thanks for any tip

@davedodi5376 Год назад

Hi Jim I had to tighten the top bolt really tight to stop the jiggle down the bottom

@glenjackson4801 Год назад

Very clear, I've tried countless times but there's still play in my headset,I had a riser fitted could this be the problem?...

@thisandthatandotherthings 2 года назад

Good video - IMHO you needed a few extra comments about checking both bearings + grease - even a new(-ish) bike can have issues with moisture ingress and corrosion - since you have the bike apart and it's important for safety

@peterclark8763 4 месяца назад

I have a rock rider est 100. I was hoping to tighten the steering a little. As it is very sensitive. But on my headset there is a blank cap plate. Does that just lever off after loosening the handlebars

@romanmentor9238 3 месяца назад

Have you got a video on how to adjust threaded headset?The cone doesnt seem to have hex edges for a wrench,only the upper locknut has them for a wrench.How am I supposed to tighten it

@davidbee8178 Месяц назад

Thank you sincerely for this and other very helpful VERY pro maintenance tips! . . . JUST wondering why with THIS featured headset, so many spacers protrude above the stem - to me, first of all, it presents a potential safety threat during a fall and second, it looks SO ungainly ! What say you, sir ? Cheers ! :-)

@fgimenezc 8 месяцев назад

Is there a maximum ( empty) space between the top cap and the tube of the fork to be safe?It depends on the length of the last spacer I guess.

@ronniedodson4578 Год назад

Thanku kindly...

@igorstimac8993 10 месяцев назад

How do I know if I overtightened the top cap? I think I did but how can I be sure without unscrewing everything and putting it back again

@NoahStephens 10 месяцев назад

I have an important safety question: I just lowered my stem using a torque wrench and set the torque to slightly below the max recommended torque. I now have about 10mm of spacers *above* my stem. Since the stem is now probably below the expander plug, my fear is the pinch bolts of the stem may crush the part of carbon steerer tube that is below the expander plug. Is it safe to ride a carbon steerer with a large stack of spacers above the stem?

@MadDogTM 11 месяцев назад

Not exactly what I'm looking for but close enough lol. I've had a bike from philodo for a few months now. They sent the front backwards. Meaning I can't put the front fender on, the light is on the wrong side so its not secure, and the wheel spins the wrong way. I though reverse polarity but it'd actually just backwards because of how they sent it lol

@chrisbiker4702 5 месяцев назад

I watched a few vids from a few people and tried this. My issue is I am worried how tight to make that top bolt. I have a fear of not getting it exact one way or the other. I do not want to risk issues so I hope there is some leeway in this whole situation.