new headset needed?!

ddraver

hey guys

I need a new headset, opinions on review sites seem to suggest that spending 50-60 squid is pointless adn its best to go for a cheapy one or all out for a chris king?1

What to people think, i was looking at the hope ones tbh, its normal size, not 1.5 or anything

Cheers

ddraver

The Big Cheese

Hope get great reviews and you have the added benefit of the split crown race which is a godsend.

I run three headsets:

CK
FSA Pig
FSA MX Pro

They range from £30 - £100 and to me I can't tell the difference between my CK and MX Pro

It's the machining, life span etc.

I have never had a really cheap headset but for instance - the FSA Pig DH Pro I bought cost me £30 and although it's caged bearings they get great reviews all around and worse case scenario which in my view is unlikley to happen is that you would have to buy a new one - if ever.

The alternative was a CK at £115......

I did the maths...

RideTheLakes

The headset is often overlooked as an important part of the bike. It's not going to make you a better rider but when it seizes up or starts grinding then you have the hassle of repairing or replacing it.

I had a Cane Creek S8 that started grinding so its Chris King all the way for me now

zero303

I went for a Hope as it was being offered cheap through Orange's upgrade scheme - we'll see if it's money well spent come next winter I guess

Andy

If you know where to look you can get a CK for the price of a Hope

sam1234

Got a CK head set on my FS bike last week when I had it bulit up. I didn't pay for it my brother got if my B'day My brother also got one for his road bikle last summer and rates it. Think he got it for £70.

Spud Son

With headsets, it is all about the bearings, and how well they are sealed. Hope have great reviews but ubless I am mistaken, the old multiple o-ring sealed versions are now being replaced. As I understand, Hope now make the Cane Creek 110 under licence.

Based on prevention is better than cure, you could always remove the bearings every 4 months, carefully lift the seals, clean and re-pack with grease. My current headset bearings are 2 years old and silky smooth, and I will continue to maintain it until such times that the bearings are rough / have play in them.

http://www.canecreek.com/cane-creek-110-headset.html

ride_whenever

aspire velotech, normally cheapest for ck thomson and many other bits.

Salsa

I bought a Chris King for my old Identiti Dr Jekyll & the same one is in my latest bike running as smooth as ever.
This Identiti was the original blue Dr Jekyll which I bought in 1998 I think, 10 years on & its still running great so I think the outlay was worth the extra expense.

Anonymous

If you're good at mechanics, I wouldnt go with sealed. Something like the fsa pig at 20 quid is good, and you can replace the bearings as and when. If you go with sealed, you just have to replace the full headset. Plus the headset is freer without seals.

Sir HC

mcflask07 wrote:

If you're good at mechanics, I wouldnt go with sealed. Something like the fsa pig at 20 quid is good, and you can replace the bearings as and when. If you go with sealed, you just have to replace the full headset. Plus the headset is freer without seals.

Sealed headsets don't need as much maintanence and last longer. I've had a Hope headset for 7 years now, still going strong 3 bikes later, same with my King, 4 years old, still working well.
You can replace the bearings in a sealed headset like you can in an unsealed headset.

As far as sealed headsets being less free, really depends on the quality of the bearings, seals and how well the headset was fitted.

ride_whenever

perhaps mcflask meant cartridge/caged bearings as opposed to loose? But i don't want to put words into his mouth.

As for non-sealed headsets, lets just say the one on my single speed has orange grease in it now and is very notchy, but then, crank up the preload and ride it into the ground.

supersonic

My Zaskar has a loose bearing DiaCompe headset from 1996, still works well. Stripped and greased a few times, but as with any bike part really, they should be examined and looked after.