[guim]

Hi all! I installed a WolfTooth Premium headset in my frame because I thought I'd never have to replace it ever, but while it's still perfect, they just came out with a -2 angle headset and I'd like to replace mine with this one.

My frame is '20 Commencal Meta AM so pretty sturdy, but I'm the kind of person who buys a frame to use it for 5-6 years without having to think that it could crack. I installed the WT headset and Hope press-fit BB so I wouldn't have to remove them ever for the life of the bike, and if it was not of wanting to slacken the bike, they would most probably stay there for many many years.

While I have the Park RT-2 1.5" headset cup remover and HHP-2 headset press and I am totally fine using them, I can't help but think that hammering a cup out of a frame must not be ideal for the welds and long-time frame durability. I've done it before, many people do it, but I'm still weary.

What are the frame builders' opinion on this ? Thanks!

 

[Ben.land101]

Changing out the headset a few times, definitely not an issue. A few hundred times? Maybe.

You already have the right tools so that should keep you from goofing it up. There's not really anything that will damage the headtube itself, other than being a complete idiot. (I've seen that before).

But really, you're never going to hurt the welds. It's the mating surfaces between the head tube and headset that could feasibly be an issue.

Just do it properly and don't worry about it.

 

[Shane5001]

Exactly, The welds aren't the problem. Every time you remove a headset, frame material comes with it. A few changes, never been a problem for me. But, I have seen a really old frame that wouldn't take a headset cup tight anymore. But then again, tolerances are so far off on some brand new frames you can press a cup in with your hand.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

Given basic assumptions of competence, the frame should be fine for dozens if not hundreds of headset swap. This is not something to worry about.

 

[guim]

Thanks everyone!
I had measured the head tube bore diameters with vernier calipers and the headset cups and everything was spot on for the interference fit. Round, just the right interference, and I pressed them in with copper paste, measuring at 4 points throughout the process to make sure they were going in perfectly straight. To say I was a bit anal on details would be an understatement.

After reading your comments, it sounds like I might replace it with the WolfTooth -2 headset then. It would get my bike's geometry exactly where I'd like it, so that's a relatively cheap investment to keep it relevant for a few more years.

If knocking the cups out doesn't make the frame weaker, which doesn't seem like the case here, then I won't worry about it (unfortunately, I have a bit of anxiety relative to things breaking or being weakened that I still need to work on...) Thanks!