Attention 2006/2007 Giant XTC Owners!
2Thumbs
Posts: 15
Do you know what type headset the above frames use?
The Giant archive says Integrated (which is bad) but searching google comes up with people saying they're semi-integrated/internal and that Giant got it wrong.
So to clarify, WTF actually is it!?
Thank you kindly.
The Giant archive says Integrated (which is bad) but searching google comes up with people saying they're semi-integrated/internal and that Giant got it wrong.
So to clarify, WTF actually is it!?
Thank you kindly.
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Comments
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The problem here is that no one has actually standardised the terminology.
A standard headset is pretty much the conventional type, with cups that are larger than the headtube, and press into it. The bearings sit inside the cups.
Giant makes use of a larger headset, where the cups actually fit inside of the headtube - they are still there, it's just that they are hidden. The larger bearings allow for a better wear rate, and the other advantage is a low stack height. This is the type fitted to the XTC.
The third type of headset doesn't use cups at all - cartridge bearings are pressed directly into the headtube.
The confusion arises in that no one has actually decided (officially at least) which of the second two is "integral", "integrated", "semi-integral" or "semi-integrated". Some manufacturers call them one thing, and others call them another.
Giant don't use the third type. These are best suited to road bikes and some very high-end XC race bikes as the need to press the bearings directly into the headtube calls for some highly accurate machining to be done, which is expensive.0 -
Thanks for clearing that up, Dave. A good man you are!
IMO it's quite bad that frame makers cant decide on a "standard" calling of the 3 types of headsets. It's just one more thing to make a possibly customer confused/decide to go for something else.
Thanks again.0 -
No worries.
TBH, if it was me I'd call the three types "standard", "internal" and "direct fit".
But then I am a genius. It's just that no one can see it!0