Choosing a headset
- Re: Choosing a headset
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You can't go wrong with King, and while a bit expensive, the King is close in price to the top of the line Cane Creek (Solos). Cane Creek offers quite a few lower priced alternatives, but the low-mid priced CC headsets don't have the warranty of the King or the top of the line Cane Creek. Get a King or a Cane Creek Solos if you want the best, most durable and reliable headset. If you're just doing XC, you probably don't need an indestuctable headset, so a mid-level Cane Creek should be fine.
Posted by El Jefe  a 35 year old on 01/06/05
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Wow, talking about mountain bikes for a change. The king is the best headset around, but it's probably overkill for most mountain bikers. I just installed the free CC S2 that was free with my fork purchase. So far no complaints. If you don't race, you probably don't need a King.
Posted by JasonLee a 28 year old on 01/06/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
Hey I race and don't have a Kingi!!!! ;-)
paz afuera
Posted by Papisimo on 01/06/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
King that is, not Kingi!!!
paz afuera
Posted by Papisimo on 01/06/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
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My take is the same as the others, so far... I have a Chris King on one bike, that replaced a Race Face headset that I was never happy with. The RaceFace was difficult to adjust properly, it wanted to be either too loose or too tight. The sweet spot was hard to nail. The Chris King has been quiet, trouble free, and easy to adjust. One of my other bikes has a stock Cane Creek on it (came with it originally), probably a lower to mid range one. It has been trouble free and reliable for a long long time. Water gets past it rather easily though, only complaint. To sum up, Chris King headsets are awesome, but there are other good ones out there that are quite a bit less expensive. Cane Creek, good. Race Face, not so good (YMMV). Talking about Mountainbiking on a Mountainbiking message board -- also good! ;-)
Posted by Pilot a 32 year old on 01/06/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
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Thanks guys for all the info. I also think that my recreational riding doen't justify a top of the line headset. It looks like a Cane Creek is a good choice for me, unless I can find a Chris King at a good price. I recently bought an used Trek Fuel 80 which needs a little work. I will check back on this site for more information.
Thanks for guiding the path for the newbies.
Posted by JW a 37 year old Cross-Country Rider on 01/06/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
Just get the cane creek. I have one on my semi new bike,and my old one. I believe that they are lighter than CK. The one on my Stumpy has been going strong for about say 4 1/2 years. Its been through some stuff, but then again, I am just another XC weenie, not a big Huckster.
Paz
Posted by Papisimo on 01/06/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
Do not buy the Canecreek crap. Try a IRD technoglide headset, it has basiclly the same bearings as a King and there warranty is lifetime. The price is also half the price of a King, $69.99. I have both headsets and cannot tell the difference so why pay the difference.
Posted by Danmtchl a 33 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a 05 Giant Trance or a Salsa Bandito from Bakerfield, California on 01/10/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
Hmmm, $69 is half of $89? Have you had a Cane Creek headset fail on you? Why is CC crap? I'm on the edge of my seat, please explain!
Posted by Black Bart on 01/10/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
Cane Creeks tolerances are terrible, they creek and the seals do not do their job in keeping out contaminents and constantly out of adjustment. I was also pricing the Chris King headset not the Cane Creek. A King HS is minimum $100.00 and the IRD is $69.99. Hey bart it is just my opinion, why are you so piturbed, do you actually make the headsets??
Posted by Danmtchl on 01/11/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
Is this regardless of riding style?
Posted by JasonLee a 28 year old on 01/11/05
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No, a King HS is a minimum of $89.00 from Supergo or Performance. Even if it was $100, $70 is not half, not even close.
I have a CC HS on my bike that I've adjusted once in the last 3+ years, no creaks, no problems. Looks like others have had the same experience with Cane Creek as I have, it works just fine for most applications.I'm not perturbed, merely amused when someone makes statements which are total bull.
Posted by Black Bart on 01/11/05
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I think everyone may not be on the same page with the headsets...Models? There are different models of CC HS's. I had an S2 that rusted and was total crap, replaced it with a King on the XC bike. My DH bike has a CC S6, I've had no problems at all with it. The XC bike I've ordered has an S6 on and I will keep it. Maybe you guys have different experiences because you have different headsets?
Posted by MtnbikeMike on 01/11/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
My opinion is my opinion, if I don't like cane creek well...I still don't like theml. I am entitled my opinion to so go f*** yourself BART. I work in a LBS, were I see cane creek headsets come in all the time and they are JUNK. They may have made a few that were good quality. So Three cheers for Barts headset for still working. Remember I was just trying to help out a fellow cyclist with a recommendation with other headsets. It's just an opinion.
Posted by Danmtchl on 01/12/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
way to kill em with kindness!!!!
care to name your LBS?
Paz Afuera
Posted by Papisimo on 01/12/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
It is your opinion that the best price on a CK is $100, you are wrong. (the prices are online, go look)
It is your opinion that $70 is half of $100, again you are wrong. (does your shop have a calculator?)
It is your opinion that CC is crap. My experience and that of others tells a different story, and with your track record of accuracy you should understand if your opinion is not given much weight. Tell me, do you usually recommend top of the line components to everyone who goes to your shop? Do you think someone who is buying a used MPB may be more interested in keeping it running for the most reasonable price than knowing they have the best part that can be made? More to the point, does JW sound like he really wants to shell out $70-$100 or does he just want it to work again? Come on, dazzle us with your LBS skills. And remember, you didn't just help with a recommendation for another HS, you called everyone else's recommendations crap. Oh yeah, and lighten up. You play with bikes for a living, you shouldn't be so highstrung.
Posted by Black Bart on 01/12/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
Never had a problem with CC, though my CK headset on my Yeti did freeze up on me. CC is fine, never had any problems. Maybe your installation was incorrect, and that is why you had problems, just a guess.
Paz Afuera
Posted by Papisimo on 01/11/05
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If you haven't already bought the headset, here's an idea: hunt for a "Syncros" headset on eBay. Syncros made a headset that was of "King Quality"... a very good headset, but then went out of business... They're still sometimes on the Bay from sellers that are liquidating them at about $40. That's a great deal on a great product. Otherwise, the thing to know about King headsets are that you only buy them once: they don't wear out. The King on one of my bikes has been in constant use since 1992. Amortize and it works out great!
Posted by EBasil on 01/11/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
Thanks everyone for their advice and recommendations.
Apparently, most people believe that a Chris King is the best money can buy. Cane Creek, being about mid-range in pricing, also have a loyal following.
For me, I think it comes down to how much money I want to spend for a headset. I probably should have include the type of riding I do in my original post so people can take that into consideration when replying. I do cross-country ridings on fire roads and singletracks, about once a week. I don't race, I don't do big drops. The most air I get would probably from riding off the curb. I don't ride in the rain and I avoid muddy trails. To me, mountain biking is for fitness and recreation.
When considering all these factors, and the fact that I just spent $550 on a used Trek Fuel, I don't believe spending around $100 for a Chris King is justified. It's like me buying a $100K Italian sportscar for commute to my 9 to 5 job or shelling out $4000 on rims for my Toyota.
For that reason, I went on eBay and bought a new Cane Creek S2. Total price with shipping: $29.50 Pretty reasonable. When I receive it next week, I will try to install it. If it looks difficult, and I understand it may need special tools, I will take the bike to a LBS.
Thanks again to everyone.
Posted by JW a 38 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Trek Fuel 80 on 01/12/05
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I think you made the correct choice. In removing the old headset and pressing the new one, unless you've done it before, I suggest you don't even mess with it. Not that it's super difficult, but if you mess it up, you could ruin the headtube, essentially ruining your frame. It's worth the few bucks to the LBS for the extra piece of mind. If you really want to give it a go, let me know and I'll type up detailed instructions for you.
Posted by El Jefe a 35 year old on 01/12/05
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JW--- I just spent $550 on a used Trek Fuel,
#1, thats too much for a f'in used Fuel 80, unless its a late 2003 or 04 but whats done is done. Have fun
riding. But a HS is something u shouldnt think about and a sealed bearing one is always the best kind.
Here's what I use on my bikes-- FSA Pig Pro---50 bucks at your LBS or less on snail order.
Dont confuse it w/ the FSA Pig which has spider bearings that Jenson USA pimps out for $20 bucks.
Posted by Mongoose a 67 year old riding a Spider on 01/26/05
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Thanks Mongoose for the suggestion. However, I have already bought a Cane Creek S2 for $29.50. I believe it has sealed beraings and I think that price is pretty reasonable. I installed it about a week ago with a home-made headset press. I was having some play in the front end and noticed some missing bearings in the old Aheadset. The new headset solved the problem. Took the bike out to Turnbull Canyon on Sunday. Had no problem at all. I am pretty happy with the purchase so far and hope the headset will last for a long time. As far as the bike purchase goes, you're right in saying that "what is done is done". Shopping for a bike on eBay, I was a winner for a Giant NRS for $399 but the seller refused to ship after the auction ended. *#@!... The Trek Fuel is a 2001 model and $550 was about the going rate on eBay. I would love to pay less but the low price was not available to me. Thanks again.
Posted by JW a 38 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Trek Fuel 80 on 01/26/05
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The prices you are quoting are mail order prices not prices from a LBS individually owned shop. A King HS suggested retail price is $114.00-134.00, so yes my calculations are right. He was looking anywhere from a cane creek to a king, that runs the whole price gammet($25.00-$134.00). I don't always recommend high end stuff but he could of gotten just as good as a King but for less money. If he did not want to spend that much I would of said an FSA $25.00. I am not the Highstrung one here, who is getting upset at calling someone's headset crap, It was not intentional and you are the only one who bitched. I love playing with bikes, I have the easy life and no worries. Did a mud ride today and could'nt be better. If you don't like my opinion or recommendation oh well no sweat off my back.
Posted by Danmtchl on 01/12/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
Ah, I get it. Here, try it this way,
"A King HS is minimum* $100.00 and the IRD is $69.99.*minimum is the best price my shop will give you and it is in no way intended or implied that this is the lowest price available to you on the open market. Actually, for you, the best I can do is $134.00" If responding to someone who disagrees with your opinion and points out errors in your post with "go f*** yourself" is your idea "no sweat off my back", what do you consider highstrung? Two more things, where did you ride in the mud and how long will you be trolling here? And can we get a "three cheers" for Papisimo's CC HS lasting 4 1/2 years? I don't want anyone feeling jealous or left out.
Posted by Black Bart on 01/12/05
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- Re: Choosing a headset
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and Hey, you're almost funny too!
Posted by Thc Professor on 01/26/05
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