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Adjusting the Ahead headset on the MTB - how it works!

Ludwig Döhl

, Stefan Loibl

 · 28.02.2019

Adjusting the Ahead headset on the MTB - how it works!Photo: Wolfgang Watzke
Adjusting the Ahead headset on the MTB - how it works!
With a loose headset, the bike rattles unpleasantly, especially on rough trails or when braking. The bearing play can be rectified without special tools and in less than five minutes.

No matter how accurately a headset is fitted or how high-quality it is, it will loosen from time to time. The more and the harder a mountain bike is ridden downhill, the shorter the service intervals. Regular checks are important, because when the suspension fork starts to hit when braking or rattling noises come from near the head tube, it is sometimes already too late.

Adjusting the headset: the video guide

The most important steps for adjusting the steering head bearing

You can check whether the headset is loose by pulling the front brake with your left hand and moving the bike slightly forwards and backwards while the brake is applied. While the bike is rocking back and forth on the spot, use your right hand to check whether the headset has any play. The play can occur at the upper or lower bearing.Photo: Wolfgang Watzke You can check whether the headset is loose by pulling the front brake with your left hand and moving the bike slightly forwards and backwards while the brake is applied. While the bike is rocking back and forth on the spot, use your right hand to check whether the headset has any play. The play can occur at the upper or lower bearing.
Once it is clear that the headset has play, the next step is to loosen the bolts that clamp the stem to the steerer tube until the stem and handlebars can be turned easily on the steerer tube. One turn of each bolt is often sufficient.Photo: Wolfgang Watzke Once it is clear that the headset has play, the next step is to loosen the bolts that clamp the stem to the steerer tube until the stem and handlebars can be turned easily on the steerer tube. One turn of each bolt is often sufficient. The bearing play is adjusted with the screw in the centre of the headset cap. The further you turn the screw to the right, the lower the bearing play. Be careful when adjusting - the screw is only used for adjustment! A quarter turn is often enough to eliminate the play. As soon as the headset has no more play, do not tighten the screw any further.Photo: Wolfgang Watzke The bearing play is adjusted with the screw in the centre of the headset cap. The further you turn the screw to the right, the lower the bearing play. Be careful when adjusting - the screw is only used for adjustment! A quarter turn is often enough to eliminate the play. As soon as the headset has no more play, do not tighten the screw any further. Before finally tightening the stem, briefly lift the front wheel and check whether the headset still runs freely. If the headset runs roughly, the screw has been tightened too tightly or the bearings are worn. If the headset runs freely, align the stem in the centre and tighten it again.Photo: Wolfgang Watzke Before finally tightening the stem, briefly lift the front wheel and check whether the headset still runs freely. If the headset runs roughly, the screw has been tightened too tightly or the bearings are worn. If the headset runs freely, align the stem in the centre and tighten it again.


You can read the step-by-step guide to readjusting the headset in BIKE 4/19 - on newsstands from 5 March. Also in part 3 of our screwdriver series: Greasing the rear suspension bearings on the MTB fully, Changing and lubricating headset bearings.

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