You're an absolute legend. I've gone from confusion, to knowing the terminology and exact standards/parts I need to fit my new fork. Bookmarked for future reference.
I know Im asking the wrong place but does anyone know a way to log back into an instagram account?? I somehow forgot the password. I love any help you can offer me.
@Remy Alvin Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
This was so very helpful. Thank you. The voice distortion played out like a story. You're obviously sharing secret occult bike knowledge, and have to disguise your voice for the safety of you and your family. It's not easy being a bicycle heretic, freeing the masses. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video! When I bought my Mountain Bike they tell you nothing about this. Now that I am up grading my front shocks I was again'st a wall trying to figure it all out. You laid it all out and it so simple.
this probably took a lot of time to make, but thank you so much! i'm replacing a headset on my vintage bike and this video helped me clear out a lot of things cheers
Thanks, I picked up a yard sale bike with an integrated headtube, however the bearings on the top of the steer-tube were external and on the bottom of the steer-tube were missing. This video helped me sort out what I needed.
Thanks a bunch for the information. I'm ordering a fork for my old Cannondale (Using headset reducers, hate the headshok). Just seeing the assembly gave me a much better understanding. (Keep the music, I love it)
thanks for this video i asked loads of bike mechanics on youtube to do a video like this as nobody has one on this very confusing subject im suprised you havent more views as my cycling group on facebook are always asking advice on this topic
Oh THANK YOU! I did my 1st repack of my headset bearings last night, complete success but today I woke up and was like "Yo what did I even do?! What was that lil split ring and what was that nut inside my fork called?!" lol thanks again for helping me understand, I think I got it, I want to install a new fork, just need to save up for one now hahaha!
Glad I watched this video. The chart for Integrated Threadless bearings and the angles needed was so helpful. I looked all over to decide the angles for my 1 1/8 1 1/2 tapered fork. Now I know. You are my hero today.
Great vid and very informative. What if I just need to replace the cartidge bearings and not the whole headset? How to i determine the size of the Bearings for the cups?
Hate threaded stems but they are super easy to build/ disassemble but I have always wanted to know the magic behind that little nut that holds handlebars and forks together
First let me begin by saying that this is the most informative video I have seen on the topic. Before watching it, I was only familiar with external threaded headsets and had no experience with any of threadless styles. One important point to note is that you must be very careful when making definitive statements about any technology that is subject to change over time. In your video, you state that “threaded headsets all are external”. That may very well have been the case when you made the video in 2017 - but by 2020, semi-integrated threaded headsets were also available. The NECO H184 on my Lectric XP eBIke (manufactured in 2020) is an example of such a headset.
That’s one of those things that didn’t exist when I made the video. Plus, that shouldn’t really exist - some horrible, mega-cheap, decision by someone in Asia. Or, catering to the worst type of cyclists - newbies that want their stem ultra high and are too cheap to buy an adjustable or high threadless stem. Or, they just had a crapload of surplus frames, threaded forks, and just podged something together. Might as well have had a cottered crank. I’d never buy anything with a threaded stem unless it was a vintage Colnago.
my columba 26" folder has a threaded headset, it is great for being about to quickly fold the handlebars without whipping out an allen key, although that is a specific situation, but a 26 inch folder that can fit in a moderately sized trunk is useful. my x-treme x-cursion ebike would need a bungee cord to fit in a large trunk while folded, and the handlebars are worse than the larger tires =P,
This was very helpful because I ordered a bike for a gift from amazon and the headset and steering wasn't connecting. Now I understand why and what type of headset. It's a thread-less headset.
What an impressive video, very informative, finally I have the information I need. Ignore those mentally challenged that always find something to criticize. This is an awesome video, period.
Thanks for the video. I'm buying a frame with a integrated headtube of 1 1/8 top - 1 1/4 bottom. Using a integrated headset of the same measure i can use a fork with a straight steertube of 1 1/8 diameter? Will i need an adaptor. Thansk again for the video and atention.
Hi, the information is most useful, Thank you. Would it be possible to share the head tube diameter sheets for download for reference? Thank you once again.
Thanks John. Great video. I'm trying to adapt a 11/8 steerer to a giant overdrive head tube which is a 47mm lower diameter. I've got an Acros 33/47 bearing but the adapter ring won't go all the way down the steerer to fit onto the fork. Should I give it a tap to force it into place? Thanks if youre still following this thread.
I'm looking to upgrade my Vp-a71 headset to one with sealed bearings. All that I find have a taller stack height. How do I know if they'll work on my bike?
I brought my friends round we partied all night to your music in your video was the best party we have ever had, great video great music maybe think about some disk jockey and don’t listen to those nob jockeys
john - thank you for the video. I have watched your video several times and bought tow headsets that do not fit my 2015 trek 7.2 FX. Can you help me understand what headset can fit my bike? I have ordered 1 1/8" threadless twice but the bearings DO NOT fit into my steer tube. Should I be looking for bearings or a whole headset? Im ot that good at this , so can you suggest brand and part numbers also?
I have a 11/8" threaded set on my motorbike. What I HATE are the caged bearings, so I hand pack mine. No, not as weatherproof as many others but grease is cheap enough. Valvoline synthetic there always.
If I have a one inch threadless steer tube on an older bike is it possible to change it to 1 1/8 external threadless as long as the new steer tub e fits through the bike,?
Is it normal for an integrated bearing to be very tight when installing into the head tube? I measured with calipers and the head tube is 51.70mm inside for a 1 1/2 bearing. The bike shop said that they could install the bottom bearing using a bearing press but in all the videos I've seen the bearing seems to just easily fit inside.
Hi, i have a steer tube with 26.8mm straight and from top to bottom. and my inner head tube diameter is 30mm. which headset do you recommend. i am modifying my mtb so trying to fit in a new fork with a new stem, handlebar etc. need a new headset.
Hey John, what about using a tapered 1 1/8 to 1 1/2 fork into a straight head tube which has a internal head tube of 44mm. I think you need a external bottom cup that is 44mm outside that will fit up into the head tube and the bearing would then sit outside of the head tube. Is this possible?
An oh so necessary video. Thank you for making this. Sooooo...there are only 3 types of headsets for road and off-road? I thought there were many more than this? IF only 3 then I feel a lot better about my understanding. I have building up bikes from framesets for 40 years, but never messed with forks because of the tool cost, then later because of the confusion of so many headsets and head tube varieties. Hope there are only 3 :)
forgive me if this sounds dumb- My headset bearings became crunchy after a while so i decided to change them today. both top and bottom bearing pretty much fused to the head tube. After perseverance i got them both out but them were both out in pieces. I purchased new bearings from a local bike shop and installed them. The top one seems a little to large as the top cover does not sit flush with the frame. The bearing also does not fit flush, should it be flush? Because of the tightness of the fit of the bearings i am concerned removing them will damage the new bearings installed? Would this headset be an alternative for me instead of them just sitting in the frame? How would i know if the headsets fit my frame? does this headset come with the bearings required?
I bought a 34mm risk headset stupidly without measuring first and it's the same width as my headtube. So I would need a 30mm and a 1inch steertube or a 1/8? Still a newbie at this so any help would be much appreciated!
You're an absolute legend. I've gone from confusion, to knowing the terminology and exact standards/parts I need to fit my new fork. Bookmarked for future reference.
After many difficult months of not understanding my headset, I found this video. My pain is gone.
the most informative video about headsets I have ever seen on UA-cam.
I know Im asking the wrong place but does anyone know a way to log back into an instagram account??
I somehow forgot the password. I love any help you can offer me.
@Abel Wesson instablaster =)
@Remy Alvin Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out now.
Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Remy Alvin It worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thank you so much, you saved my ass :D
@Abel Wesson No problem =)
This was so very helpful. Thank you. The voice distortion played out like a story. You're obviously sharing secret occult bike knowledge, and have to disguise your voice for the safety of you and your family. It's not easy being a bicycle heretic, freeing the masses. Thanks again.
One of the most, if not the
most comprehensive video about bike components ever. Thanks.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video! When I bought my Mountain Bike they tell you nothing about this. Now that I am up grading my front shocks I was again'st a wall trying to figure it all out. You laid it all out and it so simple.
John you are amazing. This stuff has been so helpfull. Just started at a pro bike shop in uk and my head is swimming.
this probably took a lot of time to make, but thank you so much! i'm replacing a headset on my vintage bike and this video helped me clear out a lot of things cheers
thank you! you just taught an old dog new tricks. Very detailed, informative and easily understood!
This might be 4 Years old, but the best video for information on headsets. Cheers John.
Thanks, I picked up a yard sale bike with an integrated headtube, however the bearings on the top of the steer-tube were external and on the bottom of the steer-tube were missing. This video helped me sort out what I needed.
My brain hurts after listening to all that mess.
I'm glad I could follow your explanations.
well done ,just subbed
Great video, many thanks. Exact, systematic and detailed description. Helps a lot to me. Thx!
im fixing up some bikes for kids that live close by. this helped a ton. thank you so much buddy
I'm late to the party, but wow! You covered everything! Had all my questions answered, and much more! Thanks so much!
Very informative and the music fit just great! Thank you!!
Thanks for the information, I was totally lost before watching this. Great job 👍
Absolutely excellent video. Great to have the index at the start. Data much appreciated.
JohnTheBikeGuy, Great Video. The demonstration was perfectly supported by your explanation. Thanks for uploading!
I kinda like the music. Relaxing, when my few remaining brain cells are straining to take in the info. Great vid. thanks.
Thanks a bunch for the information. I'm ordering a fork for my old Cannondale (Using headset reducers, hate the headshok). Just seeing the assembly gave me a much better understanding. (Keep the music, I love it)
best viewed at 1.5 speed. Good info. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks for that!!! Thoroughly enjoyed it and your information was invaluable and very useful. Two thumbs up.
Very informative and helpful! Thanks a lot!
Good sir, I shall nominate you for best video on UA-cam! Well done! Bravo!
very clear, very professional, wee explained, no wise cracks every 30 seconds.... perfect good channel
Learned a lot more about headsets. Thanks
thanks for this video i asked loads of bike mechanics on youtube to do a video like this as nobody has one on this very confusing subject im suprised you havent more views as my cycling group on facebook are always asking advice on this topic
Oh THANK YOU! I did my 1st repack of my headset bearings last night, complete success but today I woke up and was like "Yo what did I even do?! What was that lil split ring and what was that nut inside my fork called?!" lol thanks again for helping me understand, I think I got it, I want to install a new fork, just need to save up for one now hahaha!
Long ass, but bad ass. You just made my life so much easier.
Hello and thank you for this video.
It’s very straightforward, clean and understandable for me as a noob.
Big like and subscribe!
I agree with Prof. Mustafa - best headset explanation I have ever seen.
Thank you!! This was SO helpful.
awesome! thanks.. please keep making more! and I think the music was a good choice.
Thank you, it helped me a lot before buying one.
Glad I watched this video. The chart for Integrated Threadless bearings and the angles needed was so helpful. I looked all over to decide the angles for my 1 1/8 1 1/2 tapered fork. Now I know. You are my hero today.
Sooo helpful. I took two bikes apart and am trying to salavge good parts from one and suddenly realized had no idea what was what lol
Great vid and very informative. What if I just need to replace the cartidge bearings and not the whole headset? How to i determine the size of the Bearings for the cups?
Hate threaded stems but they are super easy to build/ disassemble but I have always wanted to know the magic behind that little nut that holds handlebars and forks together
Thank you for a very simple explanation!!!
Truly holistic information, thanks Bro!
Thanks for this knowledge filled, information packed, educational video. Very interesting.
Good stuff John, thanks for the information!!
Absolutely amazing video. Thanks!
This answered my question. I have 44mm straight top and bottom headtube, and I wanted to know if I can use tapered fork. No :(
First let me begin by saying that this is the most informative video I have seen on the topic. Before watching it, I was only familiar with external threaded headsets and had no experience with any of threadless styles. One important point to note is that you must be very careful when making definitive statements about any technology that is subject to change over time. In your video, you state that “threaded headsets all are external”. That may very well have been the case when you made the video in 2017 - but by 2020, semi-integrated threaded headsets were also available. The NECO H184 on my Lectric XP eBIke (manufactured in 2020) is an example of such a headset.
That’s one of those things that didn’t exist when I made the video. Plus, that shouldn’t really exist - some horrible, mega-cheap, decision by someone in Asia. Or, catering to the worst type of cyclists - newbies that want their stem ultra high and are too cheap to buy an adjustable or high threadless stem. Or, they just had a crapload of surplus frames, threaded forks, and just podged something together. Might as well have had a cottered crank. I’d never buy anything with a threaded stem unless it was a vintage Colnago.
Thanks for this fantastic video!
Extremely informational and detailed video. Please make a video regarding the crank system. You are very knowledgeable.
Thanks John this helped a lot!
Dear JOHN, this video is very helpful , thanks a lot .
Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me
my columba 26" folder has a threaded headset, it is great for being about to quickly fold the handlebars without whipping out an allen key, although that is a specific situation, but a 26 inch folder that can fit in a moderately sized trunk is useful. my x-treme x-cursion ebike would need a bungee cord to fit in a large trunk while folded, and the handlebars are worse than the larger tires =P,
I had the same situation, very straight forward explanation.
Great video. Really helped a lot. Thank you!
Thank you so much ! Very helpful !
thank you for the vid you made my life so much easy
video what I'm looking for... keep it up! more power...
This was very helpful because I ordered a bike for a gift from amazon and the headset and steering wasn't connecting. Now I understand why and what type of headset. It's a thread-less headset.
This video is a gem .
Thank you for this, now i know what i need to buy.
What an impressive video, very informative, finally I have the information I need.
Ignore those mentally challenged that always find something to criticize. This is an awesome video, period.
Thanks for the video. I'm buying a frame with a integrated headtube of 1 1/8 top - 1 1/4 bottom. Using a integrated headset of the same measure i can use a fork with a straight steertube of 1 1/8 diameter? Will i need an adaptor. Thansk again for the video and atention.
Thank you really helped loads didn't know there was so many different types wow 👏
great video, thanks for sharing :)
Excellent video! Great!!!
Thanks a lot!!!!, this help me a lot, explained perfectly, a billon points!!!!!, liked and suscribed thanks again!!! :)
Thanks this was very helpful.
Hi, the information is most useful, Thank you. Would it be possible to share the head tube diameter sheets for download for reference? Thank you once again.
Thanks John. Great video. I'm trying to adapt a 11/8 steerer to a giant overdrive head tube which is a 47mm lower diameter. I've got an Acros 33/47 bearing but the adapter ring won't go all the way down the steerer to fit onto the fork. Should I give it a tap to force it into place? Thanks if youre still following this thread.
I meant 30/47...
This was helpful, thank you!
absolute amazing content!!!! thank you sir! new subscriber here!
I'm looking to upgrade my Vp-a71 headset to one with sealed bearings. All that I find have a taller stack height. How do I know if they'll work on my bike?
LOL, hilarious... i wonder if Chef John watches this channel??? 😂
T Sizzle love food wishes
and as always... enjooooooy
Dude, many thanks!
GREAT video!
I brought my friends round we partied all night to your music in your video was the best party we have ever had, great video great music maybe think about some disk jockey and don’t listen to those nob jockeys
Matthew Taylor best response yet!
I want to upgrade the forks on an old chrome aluminum rockhopper with a threadless head set. I'm i on the right track here?
How do I know which cup/bearing goes on top and which one goes on the bottom?
john - thank you for the video. I have watched your video several times and bought tow headsets that do not fit my 2015 trek 7.2 FX. Can you help me understand what headset can fit my bike? I have ordered 1 1/8" threadless twice but the bearings DO NOT fit into my steer tube. Should I be looking for bearings or a whole headset? Im ot that good at this , so can you suggest brand and part numbers also?
Well explained! I was actually looking for an outer headset for a gravel bike. Can you recommend any (Mid/high priced) brands I can buy online?
I mean Chris King costs start from 170€ is it worth it to spend that much?
If you have a book/ blog/ photoalbum on all your tips and tricks where can I find it? Please let me know :)
Absolutely informative. THANKZZ
Great video chef...
I have a 11/8" threaded set on my motorbike. What I HATE are the caged bearings, so I hand pack mine. No, not as weatherproof as many others but grease is cheap enough. Valvoline synthetic there always.
I have a threadless stem but the bearings are that of a threaded headset. What can I do to use the external bearing kits?
If I have a one inch threadless steer tube on an older bike is it possible to change it to 1 1/8 external threadless as long as the new steer tub e fits through the bike,?
Is it normal for an integrated bearing to be very tight when installing into the head tube? I measured with calipers and the head tube is 51.70mm inside for a 1 1/2 bearing. The bike shop said that they could install the bottom bearing using a bearing press but in all the videos I've seen the bearing seems to just easily fit inside.
Hi, i have a steer tube with 26.8mm straight and from top to bottom. and my inner head tube diameter is 30mm. which headset do you recommend. i am modifying my mtb so trying to fit in a new fork with a new stem, handlebar etc. need a new headset.
Thankyou this helped lots
Hey John, what about using a tapered 1 1/8 to 1 1/2 fork into a straight head tube which has a internal head tube of 44mm. I think you need a external bottom cup that is 44mm outside that will fit up into the head tube and the bearing would then sit outside of the head tube. Is this possible?
Great video very helpful
The fork bible on UA-cam. Period! Thank for this video!
An oh so necessary video. Thank you for making this. Sooooo...there are only 3 types of headsets for road and off-road? I thought there were many more than this? IF only 3 then I feel a lot better about my understanding. I have building up bikes from framesets for 40 years, but never messed with forks because of the tool cost, then later because of the confusion of so many headsets and head tube varieties. Hope there are only 3 :)
Townie Electra is a THREADED SEMI-INTEGRATED - Havent looked at it yet, can assume the cups part of the frame.
No worries though, cant be on top of every nuance of the parts for a bicycle.
forgive me if this sounds dumb-
My headset bearings became crunchy after a while so i decided to change them today. both top and bottom bearing pretty much fused to the head tube. After perseverance i got them both out but them were both out in pieces.
I purchased new bearings from a local bike shop and installed them.
The top one seems a little to large as the top cover does not sit flush with the frame. The bearing also does not fit flush, should it be flush?
Because of the tightness of the fit of the bearings i am concerned removing them will damage the new bearings installed?
Would this headset be an alternative for me instead of them just sitting in the frame?
How would i know if the headsets fit my frame?
does this headset come with the bearings required?
I know my bike has a 1 1/8 straight steerer fork, so could I just buy any 1 1/8 headset kit and not have to measure anything?
excellent learning video-thanks
A tutorial by Darth Vador
Vintage Rider embrace the power of the dark side.
This man is right my headset is so confusing i wanted a new fork and my old headset needs changing now i can find ANY bearings to fit it...
I bought a 34mm risk headset stupidly without measuring first and it's the same width as my headtube. So I would need a 30mm and a 1inch steertube or a 1/8? Still a newbie at this so any help would be much appreciated!