How To Tighten Your Headset | Road Bike Maintenance

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Tightening your headset is one of the most simple pieces of bike maintenance, but it's also very important; here's how to do it.
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Knowing how to to tighten your headset is possibly the way to remedy any creaks or rattles that are coming from the front of your bike. Even if it doesn't totally eliminate these, it's a good thing to know how to do, and a good thing to know how to do safely.
Depending on your bike, the tools that you'll need for this job will vary, but it's always good to have a torque wrench, and a selection of allen keys to hand; 4, 5 and 6mm would be a good place to start.
Watch more on GCN...
How to get your stem aligned perfectly ▶︎ gcn.eu/2c5UY42
How to clean and service your headset ▶︎ gcn.eu/2clArWy
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Опубликовано:

11 сен 2016

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Комментарии : 412

@vrstovsek 6 лет назад

This video SAVED MY LIFE! One of the best tutorials for us amateurs out there. Who who'd knew that our nightmare is so easily solvable... Thank you!

@Serbtillidiie 2 года назад

Honestly. Bought my first bike so I was a kid and I thought it was garbage until I saw this video

@OnlineRadioSchool Год назад

I have entered the chat lol! Phew bike fixed now :)

@adrianchiliban 9 месяцев назад

+1! Actually I removed the rattle of 2 bikes in just a few minutes, making no noise, at 3 am :))) Thank you GCN!!!

@teeds88 7 лет назад

today i was finishing up restoration of my mountain bike and this was actually the last problem that i had with it (before the test drive anyway) and didn't know how to solve it. thought the headset was damaged. couple of hours later, GCN releases a video about it. what are the odds ... couldn't have done the restoration without you, GCN! thank you

@alihelmy 6 лет назад

OH MY GOD! I was going insane with the rattle on my mountain bike last couple of days, and this video just gave me the 4 concise minutes I needed to absolutely get rid of the rattle! Brilliant work mates! Here from GMBN :D

@MarkJones-bc5vx 3 года назад

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You just saved me a long drive to my bike shop. You also explained the whole procedure in a way that was so easy to follow.

@gcn 3 года назад

Glad it helped

@Metso-ateco Год назад

@@gcn i,v tried this and i just cannot get that clunky movement at the top to go away, maybe i need a new top bearing???

@davidmatthew2849 7 лет назад

Very timely, thanks guys! This explained my stiff steering during yesterday's ride.

@dustinruoff2945 4 года назад

Thanks so much! I had an endo the other day and when straightening my handlebars loosened the top bolt for some reason. So I introduced the rattle.. One more ride with the rattle and I knew something was bad.. I figured it was a loos headset but didn't know if it broke or not.. Yay it was just my original fix that loosened it! Now nice and tight ready to ride!

@Hazehill 3 года назад

Thank you for this Had a lot of play in the headset on my new ebike and was trying to tighten the top bolt without loosening the two lower ones. Now its spot on, just the right balance between the tiniest amount of play and feeling resistance when turning the bars.

@deadphish1001 5 лет назад

Excellent, sir! Thank you, all the way from Canada.

@GFmanaic 7 лет назад

As I get more and more into cycling, and learning how to service my bike, these kinds of videos are really helpful to check if I am doing anything wrong. Thanks GCN !

@gregg1571 7 лет назад

GCN How-to videos are brilliant. Making content which covers pretty much every aspect of bike servicing - tiny jobs as well as big ones - is a great idea and has helped me out loads. I've seen some people having a bit of a moan when a tutorial covers something very basic (like the 'how-to inflate your tyres' vid the other week) but there are always lessons to be learnt from the experience of seasoned cyclists (like the GCN crew), no matter how small the task at hand. Keep up the How-To videos guys.

@gcn 7 лет назад

Thanks Gregg, glad you've found them helpful. Some of the basic videos are aimed at a new audience, i.e. someone that just looks something up on RU-vid and has no idea who GCN are. The regular viewers feel belittled though!

@sybotrybo1609 4 года назад

@@gcn hello, i am one of the new viewers you aimed at. I do not have much experience in bike maintenance. The torque wrench you showed seems a special one. Wish you showed it longer in close-up.

@drmoynihan 5 лет назад

Thank you. Last week I had this looseness problem andI learned through trial and error how to fix it. Took a lot of "figuring out". Your video could have helped then and confirmed the problem. I had replaced the stem with one that had the angle I needed. I needed to refigure the amount/size of spacers. It would have been helpful if you included more about function of spacers. Thank you again for this great/clear instructional video! :)

@arkinhk2019 7 лет назад

Really love your content GCN. Always waiting for new videos to be uploaded then watch them ASAP. Keep up with the awesome work. Often workout with your training videos and the tech talk is great. Kudos to all. Regards, Adrian.

@WWNSX 5 лет назад

Thanks GCN this video was actually useful and helped me fixed this issue for. my headset wasn't clanking as loudly but holding the front brake and rocking the tire back and forth was the key to finding out for sure. thanks for having different ways to figure this out.

@wharfrat4061 6 лет назад

Thank you...this is something i noticed when i put bike up for winter...today i get the fuji out and get her road ready...this helps a lot and saves me a trip to local bike shop.

@jimim1882 6 лет назад

Really useful - fixed my loose headset quickly and easily having watched this to remind me how to do it properly.

@iandalton9199 6 лет назад

Brilliant how to video. On point 👌👌 i bought a new voodoo aizan andwanted to put blie spacers instead of the normal black 1s. I started to worry with a loose headset. Went onto youtube and found your video and bam! No loose headset anymore . Perfect

@lauramargetts 6 лет назад

I noticed my headset was really loose when doing my maintenance check today. Like REALLY loose. Being totally new to cycling I panicked and thought there was something terribly wrong and I'd have to fork out a small fortune for a mechanic. I watched this video and 2 minutes later it was fixed. In conclusion thank you GCN, I love you, never leave me.

@martinlozano9005 6 лет назад

Thank you for this! Just needed this video right now! Cheers from the Philippines

@iron_pete 4 года назад

I had this problem with my tri bike and did not know what to do with it. But with significant help received from this video, i understood the problem and managed to fix it fully. So thank you very much for your help, much appreciated! 😍☀️👍

@obsidianjay8877 4 года назад

Thank you so much I just bought a trek fx2 disc for 60 bucks and this video saved me a trip to the bike store!

@movienights333 5 лет назад

3 years and it yet proved helpful. Thanks

@joebidendidthat5121 2 года назад

Great video…. Couldn’t figure this out on my new bike during assembly today. It’s now perfect. Thank you !

@DS-sl3xs 5 лет назад

Thanks a lot, just bought a few months old bike for my son for few hundred dollars, and it had same play in handle bar and I have successfully fixed it after watching your Video. Thanks a lot

@mavknight211 7 лет назад

thanks Dan and GCN! Your this maintenance vid came at the right time. My problem is solved.

@frugihoyi 2 года назад

That's all I needed. Thanks for the simple and clear vid.

@barnabycrocker3462 4 года назад

Just rewatched this and it gave me the fix I needed for a loose headset. I'd changed the stem over, and the replacement was not quite as thick as the old one on the steerer. One 5mm spacer and 2mins of spannering resolved the issue.

@waltertruenorth 5 лет назад

Thank you for showing this headset tightening procedure.

@mihaistoescu1039 2 года назад

Exacly for the details I was looking for adjusting my steering fork. AWESOME!

@yourtubisfilled7164 5 лет назад

Thanks for this. Fixed my problem. Now I understand the actual function of the stem cap. Always thought it was just to keep the rain out haha.

@warrenarenz4005 6 лет назад

Thankss for the video. I was having issues with mine and was able to easily fix after watching your video!

@ClarkyXPH 7 лет назад

Bloody brilliant. I've had a persistent loose headset for ages that tightening the stem bolt won't fix and I've replaced both bearings over time. I now need to get the cap off and check that gap and maybe get a spacer. Factory bike too, no mods to stem or forks so don't know why it's happened. Has gotten progressively worse over time

@markg3780 4 года назад

Thanks for the tip. Just had this same problem with my bike and this tip did the trick! Thanks guys!!

@georgemallory797 4 года назад

Huge help. Even to a guy like me who repairs far more complicated stuff. Many thanks.

@markleigh530 5 месяцев назад

Very useful and clear..a big help. Thank you.

@TheCatAteMyShoe 7 лет назад

I think you've just solved a problem I've been having for the last few weeks. Thanks!!!

@eqwolf 3 года назад

Only weeks, I've been dealing with this since you posted this comment 🤣

@kalinmir 2 года назад

@@eqwolf how on earth didnt the bearings given out after 4y of riding like that?

@eqwolf 2 года назад

@@kalinmir they probably have, I have no idea lmao

@mohamedsyedali1115 7 лет назад

Thank you soo much this helped very much and so do many of your other videos.

@danielcarland780 6 лет назад

Thanks for the video. It saved me a trip to the bike shop

@MosherMike 7 лет назад

My BMC headset starts getting loose and a couple days later, GCN release this. Ace timing & video!

@thanveermhd7660 19 дней назад

Thank you GCN. I am back from a 500km ride with 2 full packed panniers and during the last day it felt like my handle wobbles. I thought my head bearing is broken because of the heavy load. I was about to show it to my local store. I removed my fork and checked for bearing wobble but bearing was perfectly fine. Then googled and saw your video. First nothing happened but second try was a success... always GCN

@CiaranPCollins 3 года назад

Thank you! This has just saved me months' more annoyance and an unnecessary, days' long, expensive booking at the bike shop!!

@Chini2212 Год назад

Thank you! Just the thing I was looking for. 👍🏼

@smachsimo 7 лет назад

Could you please explain how to tighten the headset Canyon use on their bikes?

@nicholiang1847 2 года назад

Thank you GCN, this was really frickin helpful

@icewarped Год назад

Seriously GCN is the best and most useful RU-vid channel. Thank You

@gcn Год назад

Thanks! Glad it helped

@ejpower853 7 лет назад

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU GCN! All the time I was doing it wrong and then I found this vid that you dont need to loosen the stem cap.

@harrymane9354 3 года назад

Thanks! Clear, concise and to the point.

@kreed1004 7 лет назад

thanks for all the super videos, GCN

@paulwalker3563 2 дня назад

Thank you kindly for a no-nonsense explanation. An LBS doing new headset installation sabotaged my fork. He was unfamiliar w/ newer expansion plug types - where the inner hex locks and tightens down the expansion plug and the outer hex simply removes the cap. If I didn't know that, no way tightening cap bolt would decrease the gap. As you say, it's about the feel. Best check is on the bike, fork sagged. Lock brakes and rock. Any looseness is obvious.

@sommervillephotography462 5 лет назад

this helped me tonight,thank you so much for this content :)

@swillia6rider 7 лет назад

Great video to give the uninitiated some confidence when getting their feet wet with these simple adjustments and repairs.

@jcollins9794 3 года назад

What a gift it is to have your how to knowledge at hand. I just started commuting by bicycle this Spring. Without this video my bike may have been at a bike shop for at least a week. They are very backed up in my area. Thank you for what you do!

@gcn 3 года назад

We're glad we could help! This is why we make these videos!

@Shawncrandall 3 года назад

Very helpful, thanks! Fixed the problem with my son's bike.

@TheRDMagee 4 года назад

Thanks, just had the problem this morning, and now solved.

@mishamildred8224 3 года назад

Same thx

@mrgaming2ninty180 3 года назад

Me too But I don’t understand how to solve it….🥺

@prashantbhogvan5140 3 года назад

I had the same problem today. Thanks a lot for the tutorial

@Lavyun 7 лет назад

Very useful tip. Thanks!

@salvador_cuevas Год назад

Thank you! you helped me! your video is very fun and informative! I just subscribed 👍😊

@simonng1806 7 лет назад

This is great and thank you for sharing this.

@nigelparker7213 Год назад

Thank you! That was a simple fix after watching this… just had to add an extra spacer.

@on_your_yoga_mat 4 года назад

Great advice and clearly presented thanks 🙏

@breezinoz 3 года назад

Thank you. Great advice. Helped big time 👍

@hotsky83 2 года назад

This came in handy! Thanks

@johnparmenter1122 2 года назад

Thanks for the information! I'm off to my garage to see if I can tighten the headset on my ebike properly.

@wibblehx 2 года назад

Thank you, it worked great!

@northhankspin 5 лет назад

Thank you very much for solving my problem. Was big time Into mtb and bmx from gr 6 to 9 and now getting back into it later like 20 years later and finding myself stumped on a lot of things. Why the heck did you reverse your brakes? Great video

@TC-py1if 2 года назад

This video saved me a lot of money and time! Thanks! 🙂

@ComradeMario 7 месяцев назад

Great video, cheers!

@nelsonfigueroa3198 3 года назад

Awesome 😊👍 Fixed my fat eBike. Was extremely annoying but now good as new ✌️👌👍

@DominicBellThreeBlackDots 7 лет назад

Where was this video 4 days ago? I stupidly over tightened my headset and broke the bolt. Lucky for me the bike shop I use has a very understanding and sympathetic owner.

@jwfriar Год назад

How old is this video - totally saved me on 11/19/2022 (Nov 19 for non-Americans) on my new Cervelo. Was rattlin’ around before this

@Lordwonga. 3 года назад

Saved by GCN again. Thanks 👍🏻

@MrSnarface Год назад

Thank you another task done🙏

@Pahansith 3 года назад

Thank you very much. This video save my money and time. 🙏 love from Sri Lanka. 🇱🇰

@IMurderdTheDevil 4 года назад

thanks for the help.. very cool..

@watchme93 4 года назад

Thanks! Fixed it because of you guys :)

@seanlevtov 4 года назад

Thanks very much, you were very helpful.

@shyamksukumaran 3 года назад

Thank you so much! It save time and money. Thanks,

@lodemerisback 4 месяца назад

Thank you. Easy instruction.

@teewuane 3 года назад

Saved my bike trip! Thank you!

@cornelbacauanu1544 2 года назад

Clearly explained. Thank you.

@kwameakom2625 3 года назад

Thank-you for this, play has disappeared just needed a couple of twists👍🏽

@agvu21 7 лет назад

My local mechanic said the rattle is "normal" since it was minimal and my bike is relatively new. However, when I tried Dan's tip it solved my problem!

@roshanmadhuranga3528 Год назад

Great video..To the point. Thanks a lot...

@inkpools Год назад

Thank you. That was easy

@marshallguerra1353 2 года назад

Thanks great information

@calemtrevor 5 лет назад

Another win for GCN. Didn't have enough spacers. what would i do without you?

@yellekoeel12 4 года назад

Thanks for the information.

@chriswright9096 2 года назад

Yes, loosen the stem before compressing everything by tightening the top cap. Check that there is nothing else - other than the stem - attached. Some bikes (eg cyclocross bike) might have a bracket for the center-pull brakes. That will also need to be loosened before the whole arrangement can be compressed.

@johnbouttell5827 7 лет назад

Good job. Well done.

@shawnhtpc2271 4 года назад

I have a carbon-fiber frame with integrated headset sockets. I can tighten the steertube cap well past the point where the slop disappears, _without_ the headset starting to bind-up like it would on a metal frame. I assume this is because the carbon-fiber bearing sockets are deforming slightly under pressure, sparing the headset bearings from being pinched but potentially risking damage to the frame. How do I determine what is the "right" amount of preload to put on the headset bearings without damaging the frame?

@studio1972 4 года назад

Worked great thanks

@OnlineRadioSchool Год назад

Thanks matey. Saved me a trip to the bike shop and looking like a plonker :) To the subscribe button!

@Tsamados 4 года назад

Just got my daughter a new Oreba MX MTB and I'm having problems with a lot of play between the frame and the stem. Will give this a go but I think I need to buy another spacer as I can't seem to lose the play.

@sajithmenon936 2 года назад

Thank you, the video saved me of lot of trouble

@missjjomae3103 4 года назад

Excellent even for me to understand thank you and it did work anther spacer

@donwright3427 4 года назад

if it's been loose for quite a while all the shock loading from bumps in the road could possibly damage those delicate thin wall bearings.would be good practice to replace them if you wish.