Headset Cup Press Tool

***  Buy one, get one 30% off any mix of pullers and presses (applies to individual tools only, not kits) ***

This tool is designed to install the cups that hold the headset bearings on many brands of bicycle.

The tool consists of a pair of drifts (sometimes called spacers or bushings) machined to match the bearings inside and outside diameters, and a threaded rod to pull the drifts together.

Each press can be purchased with either T-bar handles or simple nuts. Both of these options include a pair of drifts and one of our new precision-engineered stainless steel threaded rods.

The T-bar handles make the tool super-easy to use, while the nuts are a functional and cheaper option and are used with normal spanners.

A 'drifts only' option is offered for buyers who have already purchased a kit with the T-bar handles or the nuts before, and only need the drifts.  

All of our presses are designed around an 8mm threaded rod, but if you already have a press from another manufacturer that uses a different diameter, we can bore out our drifts to match at no additional cost.  Just drop us an email. 

The threaded portion of the threaded rod supplied with this press is 300mm long with additional 8mm of non-threaded length at each end to lead the handles/nuts on and off.

Our drifts feature a number of stepped diameters: one drift has steps at 25.7mm, 29.6mm, 36.5mm and 47.5mm, while the other drift has steps at 29.6mm, 36.5mm, 47.5mm and 60mm.  These steps allow the press to suit 1", 1 1/8" and 1.5" headset cups from most manufacturers.

• New precision-engineered stainless steel threaded rod
• We design and sell a wide variety of bearing pullers and presses for bikes
  
• Shipping is fast and free in the UK
• Combined shipping for international customers buying more than of our extractors or presses

How To Use

Two drifts are supplied. The stepped shape of the drift ensures that the press remains centred on the cup.

1. Grease headset cups lightly before installing. 
2. Tightening the nuts or handles draws the drifts together, pressing the bearing into place.

For best results install one cup at a time.

While it appears that the industry has standardised headtubes to 1", 1 1/8" and 1.5", the reality is a bit more complicated.  Each of these three 'standard' sizes exists as Traditional (external), Integral and Internal formats, resulting in some 7 or more actual headtube diameters in use.  To add to the complication, this tool must interface with the inside of the cup (not the headtube).  The cup shape and diameter varies according to each manufacturer's specific design, resulting in hundreds of possible permutations.  

It is therefore impossible for any headset cup press to closely fit in the same way that our regular bearing presses do.  The stepped diameters have been chosen to fit the widest variety of headset cups, but some looseness should be expected and is acceptable.  If you are concerned about compatibility please compare the dimensions given for our press drifts above with your headset.  Or, if you find that the press doesn't fit like you hoped it would, we'll happily provide a full refund for any returned tools.

Our tools can be selected either by the bearing size or by the bearing's standard reference code.

Standard references take the form of a three or four digit number, such as 688, or 6902 for example. These codes are often moulded onto the bearing's seal. You might see something like 6902-2RS on the seal. The first digits are the standard reference.  The second part (2RS in this case) refers to the seal type and doesn't matter for tool selection.

Alternatively, tools can be selected by their inside (ID) and outside (OD) diameters and width.

Note that each tool is specific to one bearing size and can’t be used on bearings with different dimensions.

If you need any help then please feel free to email us.