Customer Reviews

Park Tool HHP-2 Revised Head and Hanger Cup Press

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I currently own nine bicycles. I built several of them myself from the frame up. I work on all of them and have modified all of them. I also have many Park Tools. All the Park Tools that I own are excellent tools. This headset tool works, as all Park Tools do, very well. I have used the tool, but I do not own it, because the price of this particular tool is ridiculous.

I didn't feel like borrowing the tool the last time I needed it, so the last time I needed to install headset bearings, I simply obtained a piece of threaded rod (the biggest diameter that will fit through the bearings is the best--I had 3/4" diameter but bigger would fit also), several large washers, and two nuts. This cost less than $5.00. All you have to do is to be reasonably careful and this set-up will work fine for you. Simply put the bearing "cups" in place, slide the threaded rod though them, put a washer or two (extra washers for stiffness if you have thin, weak washers) on each end, a nut on each end, and tighten the nuts while being careful to keep the bearing cups straight (it is easier if you do one bearing at a time). Also, you can put a little lubricant of some kind on the surfaces being pressed and they will slide together easier.

I suppose if you install headset bearings on a regular basis, the Park Tool may be worth it to you, but even then, the price is high. Part of my job is to obtain pricing on machined products for our company's manufacturing department, and I can tell you that the price of this tool is very high. I know what manufactured parts cost. This one costs way, way, way too much. Yes, Park tools has to make a profit, but this is simply crazy.

That said, I like Park Tools. They are good tools. They also offer an excellent website that will tell you how to fix or install anything to do with your bike. Really, there is no reason at all to buy a bike fix-it book because the Park Tool website is that good.

Apparently, no one else makes a similar headset tool, which is why Park Tool can charge so much for theirs. But if you think you need this tool, think again, because you do not. All you need is a piece of threaded rod, a couple of washers and two nuts that fit the threaded rod. This will only cost you several dollars. Save the extra money and go buy more bike parts.

While this is a good product, it simply costs too much, hence the two star rating. Figure it as a 5 for the tool and a -3 for the price. That equals a 2.

Park Tool now has a cheaper headset tool that is, in fact, just a piece of threaded rod with two washers and two nuts. The only difference between that and what I have described is the Park Tool has handles welded to the nuts, so you do not need a wrench to turn the nut--you just use the handle. Well, actually, there is another difference--that Park Tool costs about $70.00. The set-up I use cost me less than five dollars and is THE EXACT SAME THING excepting the welded-on handles. So buy the threaded rod, washers, and nuts yourself, and save the extra $65.00 for a nice wrench set. Really, this cheaper tool (Park Tool HHP-3)is goofier than the more expensive tool. The HHP-2 tool, reviewed here, at least makes sense if you do this a lot because it works really slick and makes things easy. The cheaper Park Tool headset tool is just plain silly.

Oh, and forget the star nut tool also. Just put the star nut bolt in the star nut. Get a deep well socket that just fits over the bolt and whack the star nut down in the tube whilst holding the star nut centered in the tube. Works fine and saves you another $25 dollars.

Yes... it's expensive. But simply using a large threaded rod, two nuts and a couple wrenches does NOT always do the job. I've tried it. If it were always that simple, this tool wouldn't be made. This tool never fails to press cups in straight and secure.

The Park HHP-2 Headset tool is the best and only tool I use for headsets.A threaded rod and nuts will not set your headset properly.For the headset to be seated the right way you need the HHP-2. Just being off by a very lilte your headset cannot work properly and will soon wear out the races.I use only Chris King headsets and they are far from cheap.They will last a lifetime if installed the right way.So buy the Park and you'll love it like I do.