Headset press recommendation and question

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biwa
Posts: 411
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 8:39 pm

by biwa

Looking to get a proper headset press for CK headsets. Looking at three options (in descending order of cost):

Park Tools HHP-2: https://www.parktool.com/product/bearin ... ress-hhp-2
VAR Tools DR-03500: https://www.vartools.com/de/headset-and ... r-p949.php
Cyclus Tools: https://www.wiggle.com/cyclus-headset-press/

Any first-hand experience with them? I have a few bikes so over the long run any of these pays for itself. Priortize doing a proper job and ease of operation. On paper the Cyclus one does have an disadvantage of supporting 1'' and 1 1/8'' only.

In addition, when working with Chris King headsets (NoThreadset and InSet 7), do I also need their headset cup press adapters: https://chrisking.com/products/headset- ... s-adapters. Have read mixed opinions on this, some say without adapters the press tool may damage the bearing during pressing. Does this concern apply to any/all of the tools above?

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wheelbuilder
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by wheelbuilder

The thing with the CK drifts, is they are a bit pricey, but the tolerances are so perfect that as long as you have those, you can use a homemade press or the cheapest press you can find. If you are going to be pressing a variety of bearings/cups in the future, get a good quality press.
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biwa
Posts: 411
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 8:39 pm

by biwa

wheelbuilder wrote:
Fri Aug 02, 2019 4:36 am
The thing with the CK drifts, is they are a bit pricey, but the tolerances are so perfect that as long as you have those, you can use a homemade press or the cheapest press you can find. If you are going to be pressing a variety of bearings/cups in the future, get a good quality press.
How good is good enough? For example, is there much difference between Park and VAR?

jlok
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by jlok

Anyone got experience with Wheels Manufacturing tools?

https://wheelsmfg.com/professional-bott ... l-kit.html
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Alexbn921
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Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 6:39 pm

by Alexbn921

I have the wheelmfg press and bearing drifts. Very well made. I also have a Wilton vise with smooth jaws that stay perfectly parallel and use that for almost everything. I thought the press would be better, but keeping thing perfectly parallel is harder with it.

I also used a threaded rod and washers for years on headsets. It was cheap and easy for the once every other year that I needed it. This works on all headsets including King and is all that you need unless you like tools or run a bike shop.
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uraqt
Posts: 1108
Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:53 am

by uraqt

Might not do super big frames but by far one of the best..

https://www.abbeybiketools.com/products ... bf1a&_ss=r

C

biwa
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by biwa


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Calnago
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by Calnago

I would get the Park press and the Chris King drifts. The Chris King drifts are made to fit on the Parks shaft. I’m not sure if they fit on the others. The Chris King drifts have a beveled edge that fits their headset cups perfectly.
The Hhp-2 can also be used as a Bottom Bracket press. I think the critical thing here is that you specifically call out Chris King headsets as what you will be working on. Get their drifts first and foremost then you can use any press that will work with those drifts.
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