Star fangle but V.S. hope head doctor for secure headset

[ibbz]

What’s better to keep the (Threadless) headset nice and Tight and secure ?
Star fangled thing or a Hope Head Doctor?

I’ve a FSA Orbit Extreme with Xlite Fly stem - keeps coming loose when riding -
Was using FSA compression thing but that broke

Any advice ?

 

[BerthaPog]

Isn’t the SFN / head doctor just to pre-load it prior to tightening the stem bolts? The stem bolts should then hold everything together, keep bars and fronts wheel “aligned”. I did run with no SFN whilst waiting for head doctor to arrive, second person to “preload” and then tightened the stem up - wasn’t used in anger, just gentle pootle checking gears and brakes.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

As above, sfn,head doctor, head lock, Ringo Star etc are used to tighten everything down to the point there is no play in the headset (bearing preload as mentioned above). Tighten the stem and the sfn etc is just plugging the steerer tube.

 

[clubby]

Had this before, it feels like the headset is tight but in reality the top cap is touching the top of the steerer. When you start riding the headset quickly feels loose. Try adding a small spacer either below or above stem.

As for your original question, I like Hope doctors. SFN is a perfectly good solution if fitted correctly, but I’ve never mastered it. HD is easy to fit and remove without damaging steerer. Mine has been through loads of forks and still going strong.

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re:

Nothing wrong with star nut, just need the proper tool to set it - then it’s a piece of cake.

I can’t really see the point in the hed doctor...seems to be a solution to a non-existent problem.

As pointed out, once everything is correctly installed it’s the stem clamp that holds everything securely - once the stem’s tightened the top cap effectively does nothing...

Make sure your stem’s nice and tight?

 

[Imlach]

Although I myself want to try out the head doctor I have to say that I don't think your headset will be more secure choosing hope's head doctor over star fangled nut. From what I can tell the real benefit of head doctor is ease of installation and ability to remove and reuse. The function is the same, though.

 

[mk one]

All said above really. If stem coming loose then check stem bolt isnt threaded and not fully tightening, if headset coming loose then not enough preload on top cap so like above use a washer. You could use a headlock and if you really wanted but for normal riding shouldnt need one.

 

[TOMAS]

For me, a spotless clean steer tube and inside of stem where they interface helps... any grease here will allow it to slowly come loose. Out of interest is Ahead stem one of those wedge clamp types as i've found these don't work as effective as traditional style.

 

[legrandefromage]

Nar Stangled Fut all the way, its a proper mechanical join and allows the headset/ stem to be tightened to within an inch of its life (then backed off a bit) and also makes trail side adjustment much easy when those newly installed headset cups finally bed in properly

The other good mechanical alternative was the top cap with the long rod that went all the way through to the bottom of the steerer and even after two coffees, the name totally escapes me - I have one in red and it looks nice

 

[mk one]

The other good mechanical alternative was the top cap with the long rod that went all the way through to the bottom of the steerer and even after two coffees, the name totally escapes me - I have one in red and it looks nice

If you read my last post there might be a clue in there