I was told that any sealed, cartridge bearing headset would work okay. I only want to spend around $40 to $50 - if that's possible.
Thanks,
OD
Thanks,
OD
Headset Suggestions?
- Thread starter Old_Dude
- Start date
I would have to recommend Chris King headsets; they will outlast your frame and are so smooth when installed properly with a press on a faced head tube.
In the 50 dollar range you might want to look at an fsa skypilot headset (cartridge bearing top with a needle bearing bottom) I have one on my intense and its very good as well.
In the 50 dollar range you might want to look at an fsa skypilot headset (cartridge bearing top with a needle bearing bottom) I have one on my intense and its very good as well.
Your original advice was best. Sealed, decent quality, properly installed. That's all you need. Yeah, Chris King will outlive the frame -- but so what? Most of us living in the real world aren't going to bother stripping a frame down when we sell it. You can find a decent one for $30.
Here's an idea: how about a damn-near Chris King quality headset, sealed bearing with major cool factor for $40? Well then go to eBay and type in a search for Syncros. Some shop is blowing out $100 Syncros headsets for $40, plus shipping.
That one will outlast your frame, too.
That one will outlast your frame, too.
Here it is for $50 . . .
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=93&subcategory=1191&brand=&sku=7238&storetype=&estoreid=
Is it worth the money over the ordinary pig?Originally posted by slowride
$36.50 at aebike.com... And you get a choice of black or silver!
Headsets are one thing I would recomend going to a shop for just so you can look how well sealed they are.
2 I have had luck with are wtb momentum and fsa pig
I was not so lucky with a fsa uf, the lower race seal did not seal.
As for king headsets, who notices the difference when riding along a bumpy trail?
FSA pig dh pro is one of the best headsets you can get for the price.
And like everyone said, any sealed-cartridge headset will do. I've had mine (cheap as hell) for over a year, and no problems thus far. As long as it keeps the fork in place properly, i don't really care what I run.
And like everyone said, any sealed-cartridge headset will do. I've had mine (cheap as hell) for over a year, and no problems thus far. As long as it keeps the fork in place properly, i don't really care what I run.
Well, nobody. And that may be a great point. Where you can tell the difference is in the absence of maintenance or repair or failure or wearing out that the King gives you: install and forget. My 10-year old, on its 4th frame, still good-as-new King headset is one of many and not uncommon. You do payfor the name, and the "new" Kings have that pimpy logo on them, but the price of King has been stable for a decade, so there's not too much to complain about.
Headsets mostly install and forget parts. I have had £5 steel ones last for more than 7 years with little maintence, I could see the argument if it was other bearings on the bike.
A lot Kings only travel from frame to frame because they are so expensive, why bother getting that £15 headset swaped to your new fram when it costs the same to get a new one fitted at your lbs.
Spend an extra $50 and get a Chris King, you wont regret it, I promise
If you can get one of those Syncros for cheap, that'd be a good deal. They aren't around anymore though so if there is a warantee issue, your gonna have issues, but for 40 or 50 bucks.... I think the Syncros were on par with CK headsets but my experience is limited to one of each. I am really hard on headsets because I have small bikes with correspondingly short headtubes. Short headtubes place more stress on the lower parts, crown race in particular for a given force than a bike with a longer headtube.
Thats a good headset. CC makes (cane creeK) a good low budget headset.
Nashbar now has this on-line for $39.95
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=93&subcategory=1191&brand=&sku=7238&storetype=&estoreid=
I hope it's a good deal coz I just ordered one
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=93&subcategory=1191&brand=&sku=7238&storetype=&estoreid=
I hope it's a good deal coz I just ordered one
I think the proper term for that price, on that headset is SCREAMING DEAL.