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Wheels Manufacturing adds Press-8 Headset Cup Press to list of U.S. made tools

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Headsets may have changed a lot in the past few years, but the way we install them has not. With the exception of integrated headsets which drop the bearings directly into the frame, many headsets still use press fit cups that the bearing sits inside. There are however, more sizes than ever for the cups, bearings, and frame bores which makes having the right tool essential. Adding to their current range of bearing and bottom bracket specific tools, Wheels Manufacturing has a new Press-8 headset press that should do the trick for the most popular sizes…

All photos c. Wheels Manufacturing

Using a fairly simple design, the Press-8 consists of a zinc-plated 1/2″ threaded rod, two machined aluminum red anodized handles with brass contact points, and a head tube drift and headset cup drift. Compared to some other headset presses, the Press-8 looks like it might be a bit slower to use since there is no quick release for the threaded handles and you will have to thread it on and off twice to install a headset, but that also keeps the tool simple, light, and lower priced. To use, you start by placing the head tube drift in the frame and use the headset cup drift to install the cup on the opposite side of the head tube. Then flip the tool (and the headtube drift) and install the opposite cup.

Compatible only with 1 1/8″ and 1 1/2″ head tube cups and 34, 44, 49, and 56mm head tube inner diameters, the Press-8 definitely is not a universal tool – yet. But knowing Wheels Manufacturing and their ability to make just about anything they want, it would be pretty easy to add new drift sizes in the future as consumers demand them. Available late June for $125.

wheelsmfg.com

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yard dog
yard dog
6 years ago

Looks nice. What keeps the cups from going in crooked? I used a cheap headset press once and nothing I did would keep the cups from going in crooked. I assume this Wheels Mfg press is better, but still wondering if there is something that prevents this problem.

PFS
PFS
6 years ago
Reply to  yard dog

The secret to keeping the cups straight is only pressing in one side at a time. That gives the tool a flat surface (the head tube) as a reference.

typevertigo
typevertigo
6 years ago

I got their PRESS-7 universal bottom bracket press and I’m a fan. I wonder if they’re selling the headset drifts individually? Those should match up to the PRESS-7 no problem.

typevertigo
typevertigo
6 years ago
Reply to  Zach Overholt

Thanks Zach. I tried checking the website just now, but the drifts aren’t listed individually yet – just the entire PRESS-8 as a whole SKU. In the future, perhaps.

mick
mick
6 years ago
-rizza
-rizza
6 years ago

You can use the press-7 with the correct drifts to install headset cups if the frame’s head tube is medium to short. The press-8 has a longer threaded rod, what looks like longer handles and the appropriate drifts included. A wheels’ speed drift would reduce the amount of handle spinning when using the press-8 on a short head tube.

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