Fork installed!

So I finally got my X-fusion Enix fork, and got the crownrace installed, the star fangled nut installed, and cut the steering tube! In order to install the crown race, all I did was purchase a 1-1/4"-1' Galvanized steel pipe, I had them smooth out the ends after cutting, and I gorilla taped one end to "soften" it so it would be less likely to damage the crownrace. This thing was so heavy i didn't even have to whack it with a mallet to set the crown race...all I did was put it over the steering tube and slammed it down onto the crown race a couple times, and it was as flush as it could be - perfect! Next was the part that worried me.....having to mark and cut the steering tube... First, I got all the headset spacers I needed (3x10mm, 1x5mm), put everything except for the 5mm spacer on the fork: headset parts, 3 10mm spacers, stem - then I marked with a pencil, took everything off the fork, and went outside and cut it with a hacksaw. Next I had to install the star-fangled nut. After looking online It seemed like the simplest way to do this was to put a topcap on the the compression screw, then put a 15-20mm spacer on it and then screw the star fangled nut onto it. This would allow you to hammer the top with a mallet all the way down and it should "theroetically" be flush and spaced down the optimal 15-20mm down in the head tube. What I did for the spacer was I took an old plastic bar end I had, and drilled a hole through it big enough for the compression screw to fit through it. Next, I cut the bar end to roughly 15mm, and put it all togeher...it looked something like this.. I started to hammer this in, but it started going in crookeed, all I did was take a screw driver and hammer the side down that was higher - no big deal....once it was low enough for good blows to the top cap, it set in flush :) Now all i had to do was put it all back together on the frame, and this time include the 5mm headset spacer and it all was perfect! Now its starting to look like something!

$5 DIY Headset Press!

Built my homemade headset press for $5!    I followed the advice in this thread on MTBR: DIY Headset Press

Parts List:
1/2"x1' Threaded Rod - $1.52
1/2"x2" Flat washers (x8) - $1.92
1/2"x1" Flat washers (x3) - $0.60
1/2"      Hex nut (x3)        - $0.60
Total - $4.64

Here is the final product!

Clearly I could have gotten a better picture, but you get the idea :)

Installing the headset was pretty easy, the hard part was getting it to go in straight, but I think I would have had the same problem with the $70 Park tool headset installation tool.    I slowly did it and any time it appeared to be pressing in crooked, I would back off the hex nut, and realign everything to get it to straighten out...the key was to go slowly and take your time.

Looks good to me! :)

The Headset Arrived!

Just got the headset for Jen's bike.  I went with the Cane Creek 40 Series, because it seemed like the obvious choice between price and quality - it seems most folks use this headset for typical builds.   The only issue I had to think about was what size of the headset to buy - I didn't know if I needed an EC34 or an EC44, but after taking a look at the specs for the head tube, etc - I'm certain I got the right one.  (Bonus points - it was $20 cheaper on Ebay than anywhere else!)

Now I have a reason to get the frame faced and chased!  Of course without a fork there I can't install the crown race and get it starting to look like a bike...all in due time I suppose :)

Cane Creek 40 Series Headset

So I decided to go with the Cane Creek 40 series headset, as it seems like the best budget/quality headset for the money.   Looking at bottom brackets/cranks I think eventually I'm going to go with Shimano FC-M590, but still looking around for better options.

Mostly for me to refer to later, here are the specs for the Cane Cree 40 series EC34 headset (Taken from the Cane Creek site):

Technical Description	EC34/28.6/H16/K|EC34/30 /H12/K
Top Type	EC - External Cup
Top Head Tube Inside Dia.	33.95mm
Stem Clamp Dia.	28.6mm
Top Stack Height	16mm
Top Bearing Type	Black Oxide, Sealed
Bottom Type	EC - External Cup
Bottom Head Tube Inside Dia.	33.95mm
Crown Race Seat Dia.	30.015mm
Crown Race Type	Steel, Face-Sealed
Bottom Stack Height	12mm
Bottom Bearing Type	Black Oxide, Sealed
Material	6061
Weight	98g
Part Number	BAA0068K

While looking at the Cane Creek website, I found this diagram in the 40 series manual that I think will come in handy when i do the install.

They also recommended in the manual to face and chase, the headset, and fork (facing the fork was new to me.)  Anyhow, looks like I will be on my way to getting the frame faced and chased and start sticking on the parts in the fall/winter! :)

Headsets, Bottom Brackets, and Cranks. Oh My!

I think my head is getting dizzy researching the best "bang for the buck" headset and bottombracket/crankset.

So far, for the headset, I believe I've narrowed it down to the standard Cane Creek 40 series headset. (Found it cheaper on Ebay!)

However for the BB/crankset, I'm totally stumped on was to what would be a great budget set to go with...I know I want to run shimano 3x9, external BB (preferred, not required), replaceable chainrings, and all black - but there are so many to choose from it makes my head spin!  

I did encounter this handy diagram which helps figure out on where to put the BB spacers in a variety of configurations..I'd gladly give credit to whoever created this diagram, but sadly I can't recall the original URL!




Onward to more research!