So my headset is no more, i need a head set. Iv'e been useing an FSA Pig DH Pro for awhile great headset and cheep. But is a CK really that much better? Can you tell the diffrence? I know it's got nice colors but is it worth it in the long run?
CK really worth the price?
- Thread starter .Pit Steelers.
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I'm still using one from 1999.
No other headset has lasted me that long and I dig their hippy eviro friendly business practices.
So the answer is.......maybe.
No other headset has lasted me that long and I dig their hippy eviro friendly business practices.
So the answer is.......maybe.
I have 2 headsets from 2001 still going strong on my bikes. They have been on probably 6 bikes each since then? Still smooth, still fit tight. Not to say anyone else's wouldn't, I just happen to be very happy with the ones I have.
Kings are great headsets, I've had 4 of 'em. The one I've had for four years is just starting to get a bit gritty.
However, I do have two major complaints:
1. They are twice the price of other high-end headsets (a semi-valid concern)
2. How the hell am I supposed to justify getting new parts all the time if they last so freakin' long? I mean come on the anodizing is faded, the printing is wearing off, and it feels fine...Sheesh...
I do think King is a bit weird and elitist, insisting that each bike shop who carries their stuff through parts distributers submit and renew an unusually complex yearly contract. They make hubs and headsets, not missle warheads.
However, I do have two major complaints:
1. They are twice the price of other high-end headsets (a semi-valid concern)
2. How the hell am I supposed to justify getting new parts all the time if they last so freakin' long? I mean come on the anodizing is faded, the printing is wearing off, and it feels fine...Sheesh...
I do think King is a bit weird and elitist, insisting that each bike shop who carries their stuff through parts distributers submit and renew an unusually complex yearly contract. They make hubs and headsets, not missle warheads.
CK is the BLING....nothing more to say !
Worth it.
completely worth it, there probably isnt a product in the mountain bike world that is more respected than the king headset.
Now if they would just come out with an external bottom bracket bearing set...It's just a god damn threaded headset for your cranks...Get with it people!
Now if they would just come out with an external bottom bracket bearing set...It's just a god damn threaded headset for your cranks...Get with it people!
I do not know what others cost, but I have put a few FSA sets through same riggors (sp?) as a King and they held as good, if not better and were not as finicky with facing, etc.
I've got Kings on several bikes. I'm even still rocking one that's got to be 12 years old (no printing on sides). Bought it for my XC race bike in ~95 and it's still going strong after being on about 10 different bikes. Still no problems.
I agree on the BB. Not much to think about at this point, just make it.
I agree on the BB. Not much to think about at this point, just make it.
king does that to protect the mom&pop local bike shop from the price slashing mail order intraweb companies. buy local.
Then tell "local" not to charge ridiculous prices for things.
let me rephrase that, king does that to create a level playing field, for all bike shops, local or mail order.
it helps to get a local's discount, tho.
So, if King signs a contract with QBP to deal only to small volume sellers (read: bike shops) and distributing higher than allowed volume constitutes a breach of contract, how is making small shops jump through hoops protecting them(small shops)?
No one else has a problem with the lack of compression wedge? The king headset relies on the interface between the top race and steerer tube to be quite perfect, I ran one last year and I was forever greasing this interface to stop the creaks and moans. Yes it was faced, and the plastic top ring installed- nothing made a difference.
Maybe I had a dud, but many others I have seen creak and moan too.
Maybe I had a dud, but many others I have seen creak and moan too.
Its not just you. I won't pay more for an inferior, creaky, aluminum status symbol. I also had chronic problems with my headset coming loose on my old M1/superT/King HS setup. It had the direct connect stem, so the only thing holding the bearing adjustment was the topcrown's 4mm bolt and a cheesy rubberband in the topcap.
don't get me wrong...I love CK stuff and never had any problems with them - still have them on a few of my bikes. But I'm with Stik here. I've recently started using FSA headsets on the new bikes I've been building and they are super nice.
also like Jonny5 pointed out - the lack of compression wedges in addition to longer travel single crown forks started worrying me. The FSA headsets use a compression ring which keep the steerer in nice and tight.
just my $0.02 worth...
I have a specialized headset on a 1992 stumpjumper that is still going strong. Its not only CK that will last
that headset looks like that burly Underworld (or something like that) that once existed - it's like they stopped making it all of a sudden..
I read they have a Titanium version coming out soon too, might be interesting...
I like King headsets and have a couple that are more than ten years old. It's one of those standard-setting, iconic products that they just nailed from day one. That said, if you need or want to save a few bucks, there are other options that work just fine (many of which were heavily influenced by King). If you're not making a statement or anything and the bottom line is all that matters to you, there are many that offer good performance for less money.
This from the CK whore himself?!?
I do miss going down there on my lunch break when I needed a headset...
Also, the majority of my bikes now have integrated headsets, though I do have 2 Cane Creeks on the bikes that need them. Their nicer headset is pretty sweet.
That said, I will probably end up getting a King for my new steel hardtail. There really isn't anything like them, and I won't be spending too much anyway, considering all the other parts I still have to buy...
I had problems with mine making tons of noise. I finally got it to stop by replacing the top ring. The edge was chewed up. It had been on 2 bikes in the last 5 years, so thats not so bad. Its making a creaky feeling now, so Im just going to replace it with something else.
After I read that CK gave ONLY $1 for every pink headset sold, I sort of gave up on them. I mean how many pink headsets did they actually sell. Hell, I bet in the last 5 years I gave more to Breast Cancer Awareness than CK.
Well i went out and got one, it best live up to what has been said aboot it.
They are good headsets, but I just ordered a headlock today because for some frikken reason like with the first king I had, it's pulling star fangled nuts out every two weeks.
Edit, hope no one saw that one.
Edit, hope no one saw that one.
The normal one is $130!
They've made a Ti one for at least 10 years.
Maybe there was a gap, but this is old news.
The lack of the "wedge" does make them a poor choice for DH bikes.
For trail and xc bikes, they are the lightest, longest lasting, headset you can buy. I have had zero issues with them on bikes with less than 6" of front travel. That includes installing them on countless customers bikes that saw god knows how many nasty Seattle commuter miles.
I believe they are. I've had one for about three to four years on two different frames. It has held up nicely. And i'm confident it will last for another three years atleast. If it means anything they are made in the states also. I've actually been to some bike shops and that is all they would sell. They told me "you'll only have to buy it once". I think i read once that the CK shop is environmently friendly too. The Rolex of headsets.
I don't think you will find better bang for buck than the Pig Pro DH.
King makes a great headset. Is it a better product than anyone else's?
At face value, probably so. I have never felt a smoother, longer-lasting, better looking headset. Everything about them is great from a performance perspective.
When I first got into bikes I thought I should wind up with a King on every bike, along with an Easton carbon riser and a Thomson seatpost. Times have changed. Many DH bikes don't use 1.125 inch headtubes anymore. I have since been through a bunch of FSA, Cane Creek, no name...etc headsets. None are as good as the Kings I used to have, however, I don't really feel the difference while riding.
My opinion now is that it does not make sense to use a King headset on my DH bikes. If you are like many others on this board, you will probably have that bike for a year or two at most. DH bikes break, go out of style, get sold, get stolen...etc. If the headset were going on a road bike that was going to see thousands of miles, or a custom steel XC bike that might last the rest of your riding career, then a King definitely makes sense. I'd rather buy something cheap and actually quite good (say, an FSA) and just forget about it at the end of the year instead of pressing out and servicing a King.
At face value, probably so. I have never felt a smoother, longer-lasting, better looking headset. Everything about them is great from a performance perspective.
When I first got into bikes I thought I should wind up with a King on every bike, along with an Easton carbon riser and a Thomson seatpost. Times have changed. Many DH bikes don't use 1.125 inch headtubes anymore. I have since been through a bunch of FSA, Cane Creek, no name...etc headsets. None are as good as the Kings I used to have, however, I don't really feel the difference while riding.
My opinion now is that it does not make sense to use a King headset on my DH bikes. If you are like many others on this board, you will probably have that bike for a year or two at most. DH bikes break, go out of style, get sold, get stolen...etc. If the headset were going on a road bike that was going to see thousands of miles, or a custom steel XC bike that might last the rest of your riding career, then a King definitely makes sense. I'd rather buy something cheap and actually quite good (say, an FSA) and just forget about it at the end of the year instead of pressing out and servicing a King.
I thought I would update this thread. Im at Whistler and my CK headset finally gave out. It has been in 2 bikes and ridden 5 years pretty hard. It is creaking so bad I can no longer stand it. Im having the bike shop put a FSA DH Pro in. Ill have to look at the headset and see why it was creaking so badly. Any guesses?