Do the vast majority of one inch threaded head sets require a 32 mm wrench (or two)?

Everyone I can think of requires two.

Do the vast majority of one inch threaded head sets require a 32 mm wrench (or two)?

Everyone I can think of requires two.

My question was regarding the size rather than quanitity of wrenches.... ;)

They are probably the same size. Make sure they are 32 before you spend $$. Especially if this is an older bike, there are some variations out there.

Wrench size is one.

There are some older Shimano headsets which require a special set of "scalloped" wrenches.

And I recently worked on a really old bike with an adjustable cup that didn't have wrench-flats on it. It was knurled so you could turn it by hand. It and a washer above it had fine toothed surfaces that fit together and along with a flattened side on the steerer tube held the adjustment position. Not a very good system (we don't see them everywhere, do we), and not all that easy to adjust, but it was functional.

Bob

My question was regarding the size rather than quanitity of wrenches.... ;)

Same answer. I've never used a modern 1" headset that didn't require a 32mm wrench. I've have some old headsets that used odd sizes.

Many come with another item on the other end. I have one with a lock ring tool and another with a 30mm wrench. You may as well get 3 tools if you can even if you never get to use the 30mm wrench.

If you can find one of the American Classic Trilock headsets, you only need a 2.5mm allen key.


The American Classic headset is made in Canal Winchester, Ohio USA. The Trilock uses novel approach in a headset clamping mechanism, employing two pieces which are independently threaded onto the fork steer tube, and are then bolted to each other with three bolts. The locking system holds the headset pieces, frame and fork together tightly in a stable unit. The only pieces made of steel in this headset are the three tightening bolts and the sealed bearing cartridges, all the other pieces are machined from aluminum alloy rod. The fork crown, machined of aluminum, makes a stable bed for the sealed bearing cartridge to rest on. The upper and lower bearing cups are identical, machined from aluminum, to tightly accommodate the sealed bearings. The inserted part of the cup is 1.8mm thick, while the thickness of the walls holding the bearing taper to a 7/10s of a millimeter thickness. With the cone race, cups and bearings installed, the first of the two upper nut pieces are threaded into place. The lower of the two pieces acts as the upper cone race and has three holes drilled through it which are tapped with threads for the bolts from the upper piece to anchor in. The top side of this lower piece has an downward taper which nestles into a mated taper on the bottom side of the upper piece. The upper piece, with its round outer edge, has a hard rubber seal at the stem exit point. The three bolts are tiny cap screws, that have a 2.5mm hex fitting for tightening. The holes in the upper piece, (which behaves like a head lock nut) are drilled to recess the head within it. Once the upper piece is threaded into place, the bolts are tightened. The steerer to head thread contact, the bolts, and the mated tapered surfaces all work to hold the headset more rigidly than the common one piece "tighten-against-the-threads" style of locking headset. No headset wrenches are required to finally adjust this headset, and accordingly the two upper pieces have no grip points for wrench use. The Trilock is made in two sizes, anodized in four colors, Black, or Silver. The stack height of the Trilock can be adjusted to fall between 33mm and 36mm. The 1" diameter weighs just 97.5 grams complete.





American Classic Trilock Threadless Headset


The threadless headset uses a shallow angle compression washer and the three cap screws to lock the headset in place. To install, adjust the headset by hand and then lock it by tightening the three cap screws with a 2.5mm hex key. That's it. The bearing adjustment is independent of the stem so the stem can be removed without messing up the headset adjustment. No star-fangled nut needed. Each bearing has three sealsthe outer "O" ring seal, the internal grease seal, and the sealed cartridge aircraft bearings. You don't have to take your headset apart anymore to lube it. Pump grease into the grease port to fill the tiny gaps between the moving parts. Rounded, aerodynamic outer contours reduce wind drag. The threadless model is lightweight, smooth, reasonably priced and carries a 5 year bearing warranty.