I have a 1990's Dia-Compe 'Aheadset' (threadless headset) which I have been trying to remove without success. It hasn't been touched for six years and the compression ring is well and truly stuck. Apparently you're meant to insert a screwdriver into the gap in the ring and twist to 'pop' it and relieve the pressure, but I've succeeded only in mauling the soft plastic of the ring. The bike's in a stand, and I've tried squirting lubricant in and banging the top of the steerer tube (handlebars + stem are off) with a wooden mallet, but it isn't moving.
So:
1. Ummm...any idea where I can get another compression ring? 2. Any other ideas for persuading it off?
(Only those who answer 1. are allowed to be destructive on 2! :-)
I'm a newbie to this, so please explain carefully.
I have a 1990's Dia-Compe 'Aheadset' (threadless headset) which I have been trying to remove without success. It hasn't been touched for six years and the compression ring is well and truly stuck. Apparently you're meant to insert a screwdriver into the gap in the ring and twist to 'pop' it and relieve the pressure, but I've succeeded only in mauling the soft plastic of the ring. The bike's in a stand, and I've tried squirting lubricant in and banging the top of the steerer tube (handlebars + stem are off) with a wooden mallet, but it isn't moving.
So:
1. Ummm...any idea where I can get another compression ring? 2. Any other ideas for persuading it off?
(Only those who answer 1. are allowed to be destructive on 2! :-)
I'm a newbie to this, so please explain carefully.
Don't pry it with a screwdriver! You're on the right track with the mallet. Just really wail on the steerer. Use a block of hardwood or plastic (hockey puck) and a hammer if necessary. After the steerer slides down about an inch, give it a tap back up from the bottom to free the compression wedge.
You'll probably have to get a whole new headset to get another ring. Dia-Compe's (Aheadsets) are cheap now. $20 or so.
"Michael Dart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Steffik said:
I have a 1990's Dia-Compe 'Aheadset' (threadless headset) which I have been trying to remove without success. It hasn't been touched for six years and the compression ring is well and truly stuck. Apparently you're meant to insert a screwdriver into the gap in the ring and twist to 'pop' it and relieve the pressure, but I've succeeded only in mauling the soft plastic of the ring. The bike's in a stand, and I've tried squirting lubricant in and banging the top of the steerer tube (handlebars + stem are off) with a wooden mallet, but it isn't moving.
So:
1. Ummm...any idea where I can get another compression ring? 2. Any other ideas for persuading it off?
(Only those who answer 1. are allowed to be destructive on 2! :-)
I'm a newbie to this, so please explain carefully.
Don't pry it with a screwdriver! You're on the right track with the
mallet.
Quoted message said:
Just really wail on the steerer. Use a block of hardwood or plastic
(hockey
Quoted message said:
puck) and a hammer if necessary. After the steerer slides down about an inch, give it a tap back up from the bottom to free the compression
wedge.
Quoted message said:
You'll probably have to get a whole new headset to get another ring. Dia-Compe's (Aheadsets) are cheap now. $20 or so.
OK, now that nobody has a more elegant way to do it, I confess to using a block of wood on the steer tube and a masonry hammer (2? lb head).
I have a 1990's Dia-Compe 'Aheadset' (threadless headset) which I have been trying to remove without success. It hasn't been touched for six years and the compression ring is well and truly stuck. Apparently you're meant to insert a screwdriver into the gap in the ring and twist to 'pop' it and relieve the pressure, but I've succeeded only in mauling the soft plastic of the ring. The bike's in a stand, and I've tried squirting lubricant in and banging the top of the steerer tube (handlebars + stem are off) with a wooden mallet, but it isn't moving.
So:
1. Ummm...any idea where I can get another compression ring? 2. Any other ideas for persuading it off?
(Only those who answer 1. are allowed to be destructive on 2! :-)
I'm a newbie to this, so please explain carefully.
Don't pry it with a screwdriver! You're on the right track with the mallet. Just really wail on the steerer. Use a block of hardwood or plastic (hockey puck) and a hammer if necessary. After the steerer slides down about an inch, give it a tap back up from the bottom to free the compression wedge.
Ouch. some people must love their hammers more than their bicycle. Try first tapping the upper headset cup down ie towards the fork. It doesn't have to move much to release the wedge.
