How to Adjust a Bike's Headset

Video Transcript

"Hey, this is Jeff at the Two Wheeler Dealer. Today, I'm going to demonstrate how to adjust a thread less head set. The head set is basically the bearings, that control your steering of your bike. There's one located at the top, and one, or bottom and the top of the head tube. This particular system, is thread less. You start by loosening the stem clamp, which is going to basically allow you to change the compression on those bearings. Those are just five millimeter Allen screws. Just loosen both of these up, one on each side, and that should allow your handlebars to spin freely at that point, without changing any of the adjustment of the bearings. The tension on the bearings is all controlled by this top cap. You just tighten it down, if your headset's loose. You just going to want to tighten it down. It's kind of done by feel. You know, once it gets a good amount of tension on it, but you don't need to really put much force into it. You just kind of want to lightly snug it down. And then you, the easiest way to check it, is grab the front brake only, and then just wiggle the fork, back and forth, and also, side to side. Make sure that you don't feel any knocking or just any play in those bearings there. So, this one's set good, re-align your stem, with your wheel. Make sure it's all straight, and then you're just going to tighten these, two stem clamp bolts, back down to the recommended torque. Most stems are labeled, if there is a specific torque sitting on them. Otherwise, you just want them good and snug. And, once you have that, I like to pick it up and drop it, make sure it doesn't knock around or vibrate. This one feels good, and solid. That's how you properly, adjust the head set."