This guide tells you how to adjust any threaded headset.
A threaded headset is a headset that fits forks with threaded steerers, and that you can mount a lock ring and crown race on.
This type of headset is most common on city bikes, older road bikes and mountain bikes.
You can assess how loose the headset is, simply by taking both the fork and head tube in hand and gently moving them from side to side. You will be able to feel a slightly “shaky” movement.
This shakiness may also be visible.
If your bicycle has hand brakes, you should also be able to feel the looseness of the headset by squeezing the front brakes and gently rocking the bicycle back and forth.
Step 1 : Loosening the headset
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Remove the headset cover cap if necessary. (2)
Use the headset wrench to loosen the lock nut with one full turn. (3)
Pop up the bottom nut using a small flat screwdriver to make sure that it is loose.
Step 2 : Adjusting the headset
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Now you’re ready to adjust the top cone. (1)
Use the headset wrench to lightly tighten the cone, to the point where the headset is almost no longer loose. You should be able to feel the difference by hand.
If the cone is too firmly tightened, the bearings will get stuck and cause resistance when you turn the handlebars.
Once the headset turns smoothly and there is almost no looseness, the lock nut can be tightened.
The last bit of looseness in the headset should disappear once you have tightened the lock nut, as the lock nut helps further tighten the top cone.
Now tighten the lock nut, while keeping the cone in place using the second headset wrench. (2)
Check whether the headset is properly adjusted; adjust further if necessary.
The ball bearings may already be slightly worn in, making it impossible to get the perfect headset adjustment. In this case, it is better to keep a little looseness in the headset, rather than resistance. Replacing the headset altogether would be even better.
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Step 1 : Loosening the headset
