What kind of headset should I get for my new ZANK?

[shinomaster]

I will probably wind up with a Chris King because they are seemingly bomb- proof and King is a great sponsor for our Cross Crusade series. They show up early and serve FREE coffee and tea!!
Still, something bothers me about spending over $100 on a little headset. Should I consider anything else like a Cane Creek, or campy?

[SoCalSteve]

I will probably wind up with a Chris King because they are seemingly bomb- proof and King is a great sponsor for our Cross Crusade series. They show up early and serve FREE coffee and tea!!
Still, something bothers me about spending over $100 on a little headset. Should I consider anything else like a Cane Creek, or campy?

No

Steve (and thats the last thing I'm gonna say on the subject)

[shinomaster]

No, why?

[Grant McLean]

If you wish, take the time to consider all your options.
weigh and inspect every model of headset on the market,
take all the measurements, ask for feedback,
... and then install the chris king.

:)

-g

[shinomaster]

If you wish, take the time to consider all your options.
weigh and inspect every model of headset on the market,
take all the measurements, ask for feedback,
... and then install the chris king.

:)

-g

WHY?WHY?

[Grant McLean]

WHY?WHY?

because it's the best headset, silly.

-g

[shinomaster]

Ok here is the deal. I rode for years with an ultegra headset on my Paramount, which turned out to have a cracked race. I could still ride no hands, steer, and it never loosened. I didn't even know it was cracked and the bearings were dry..
I had an ultegra on my Atlanta as well. I have a chorus threadless on my Caad4 and have been riding it for four years without an overhaul (oops) and it's still smooth. My cross bikes headset seized up four times. Yes four! I just spray some lube in it after I race in the mud and it looses up and spins great. Maybe I'm just not "getting it?" What is so important about the headset anyway?

[chrisroph]

king

will outlast any 3 other headsets

so be cheap and buy the best

also made in portland

[shinomaster]

king

will outlast any 3 other headsets

so be cheap and buy the best

also made in portland


Good enough reason for me.

[maunahaole]

How many dollars worth of Chris King sponsored coffee and tea have you had? This is analogous to supporting your LBS - support the business that supports your pastime. The bonus of it all is that you get a killer HS out of the deal to mount on a nice frame. If you go in the other direction, you will always wish you got the King in the first place.

[shinomaster]

How many dollars worth of Chris King sponsored coffee and tea have you had? This is analogous to supporting your LBS - support the business that supports your pastime. The bonus of it all is that you get a killer HS out of the deal to mount on a nice frame. If you go in the other direction, you will always wish you got the King in the first place.


If the pretty color Zank I choose has a color coordinated headset, then oh hells yes I'll get one, because style is everything. Also, I have consumed a LOT of Stumptown coffee on the King's dime.

[Grant McLean]

Ok here is the deal. I rode for years with an ultegra headset on my Paramount, which turned out to have a cracked race. I could still ride no hands, steer, and it never loosened. I didn't even know it was cracked and the bearings were dry..
I had an ultegra on my Atlanta as well. I have a chorus threadless on my Caad4 and have been riding it for four years without an overhaul (oops) and it's still smooth. My cross bikes headset seized up four times. Yes four! I just spray some lube in it after I race in the mud and it looses up and spins great. Maybe I'm just not "getting it?" What is so important about the headset anyway?

Ulterga headsets are awesome, but they are threaded only.
A chorus headset is $75-80, so what's the big deal about saving $20?
It's not like there are great headsets that are free, so what you're
considering is the difference in price between a king and the others,
it's not $100 more.

-g

[shinomaster]

Ulterga headsets are awesome, but they are threaded only.
A chorus headset is $75-80, so what's the big deal about saving $20?
It's not like there are great headsets that are free, so what you're
considering is the difference in price between a king and the others,
it's not $100 more.

-g


Hey I'm just checking the options. I think I only paid $40 the chorus HS :)

[Fixed]

bro... bikes always tell me i have a king and i got pampered
21 st on jan king day get a king :beer: imho

[DarrenCT]

shino,

zank cross or road?

[shinomaster]

It's going to be a town bike. :rolleyes: You know, like a Hybrid.

[Grant McLean]

I think I only paid $40 the chorus HS :)

great. so you don't pay retail, and you're still too cheap to buy
a king headset at cost? oi vey. momma mia!

-g

[shinomaster]

great. so you don't pay retail, and you're still too cheap to buy
a king headset at cost? oi vey. momma mia!

-g



Hey, some of us are poor!

[coylifut]

you will buy and install a king headset. if you don't, Christoph won't cut the fork and build it up for you. You'll be all alone out there.

[chrisroph]

you will buy and install a king headset. if you don't, Christoph won't cut the fork and build it up for you. You'll be all alone out there.

sometimes, terry finishes my sentences

[Satellite]

Chris King nobody else even makes a headset. Oh did I mention to get a Chris King.

[Louis]

In my experience expensive headsets are some of the most overrated components on bikes. I've used < 20$ headsets that for many years and thousands and thousands of miles have given me 99% of the functionality of a $100 headset. Yes, King headsets work very well, but so do a bunch of other models that aren't nearly as expensive.

Louis

[DarrenCT]

im sure other headsets work well, HOWEVER

its not that big a $ jump to just get the best atmo

its not like the difference between a $200 shiet carbon frame
and a $6,000 carbon parlee or serotta

[manet]

you want, you can have my chris king headset when i push it outta my spectrum. it's fried. it'd make any hybrid happy. it's silver. about 60,000 miles.

[smudgecycles]

you want, you can have my chris king headset when i push it outta my spectrum. it's fried. it'd make any hybrid happy. it's silver. about 60,000 miles. Fried? Something that a dental pick, a parts washer and some grease can't fix.

Get a King with an FSA CX top cap. :bike:

[manet]

its an internal flic-stand.
it's grooved to a heavy beat for too long.
it flops shut like a screen door on a hot summer nite.

[SoCalSteve]

No, why?

Because, thats why!

nuff said'

Steve

[smudgecycles]

its an internal flic-stand.
it's grooved to a heavy beat for too long.
it flops shut like a screen door on a hot summer nite.

bummer, with a little time and a lathe, it might make the worlds best toilet paper holder. Officially put me in line when you knock it out of the frame. ;)

[chrisroph]

its an internal flic-stand.
it's grooved to a heavy beat for too long.
it flops shut like a screen door on a hot summer nite.

if you send it to ck they'll probably just send you a new one

[Steve Hampsten]

bummer, with a little time and a lathe, it might make the worlds best toilet paper holder

Too late, I have that. With a Campy Tipo QR no less.

Stainless steel, Columbus dropouts, the Full Chicago.

neener neener

[coylifut]

In my experience expensive headsets are some of the most overrated components on bikes. I've used < 20$ headsets that for many years and thousands and thousands of miles have given me 99% of the functionality of a $100 headset. Yes, King headsets work very well, but so do a bunch of other models that aren't nearly as expensive.

Louis

guessing you haven't raced a lot of cross with those cheapo headsets. think about 40+ races in a couple of years over stutter bumps while dipped in wet cement.

[gdw]

Kings are great but Cane Creek's sealed bearing S2's are on sale at Nashbar for $14. No snob appeal but light and reliable.
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600093&subcategory=60001191&brand=&sku=17379&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Threadless%20Head sets

[shinomaster]

sometimes, terry finishes my sentences


Too bad he can't spell you name.. :banana:

[William]

http://www.pubhousedialogues.com/media/blogs/curmudgeon/obi-wan-mind-trick.jpg


~You will buy a King headset.....~

~You don't need to look at other headsets....~

~They are not the headsets you are looking for....~

~Move along....~





William ;)

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesunimages/EB9D0A0A7CD8FAAD14AA96010F8EE40C.gif

[sspielman]

Too late, I have that. With a Campy Tipo QR no less.

Stainless steel, Columbus dropouts, the Full Chicago.

neener neener

Photos are needed!!!

[J.Greene]

I'm looking forward to trying the new Crank Bros headset. It's 1 1/8 only so it won't help you with your Zank, but I think I got a bike or two here that is 1 1/8.

JG

[Too Tall]

That's settled uh whatever :rolleyes:
So tell me what bar tape you plan to RAWK HARD? WOO HOO bannana.

William, tell me you didn't spend the day making that muppets animation m'kay? I figure if you did than it's time to detox.

[davids]

The jerk is one of the few people in the know who isn't on the CK bandwagon. But he politely shut his mouth and put one on my Peg when I asked.

Get the CK. You're putting it on a Zanconato for God's sake!

[chrisroph]

Too bad he can't spell you name.. :banana:

neither can i

[chrisroph]

The jerk is one of the few people in the know who isn't on the CK bandwagon. But he politely shut his mouth and put one on my Peg when I asked.

Get the CK. You're putting it on a Zanconato for God's sake!


jerk don't cross

[Vancouverdave]

I like Chrisroph's line--"be cheap and buy the best." +1

[flux]

Shino,

My Cane Creek Volos's do the job fine come every fall/winter. Sure Chris King's are the best (debatable) but there are a couple lateral moves to make in that dept. Also, as you insist on drinking expensive imported beer every weekend, you will be forever stuck in this rut of penny pinching your bikes all things remaining equal.

[William]

Shino,

Also, as you insist on drinking expensive imported beer every weekend, you will be forever stuck in this rut of penny pinching your bikes all things remaining equal.

Yeah! How many Old Rasputin's are you willing to give up to get that CK??






William

[lincolnsydney]

I run anything but CK... OK, I'm running away now :)

[michael white]

come to think of it, I've had great luck with just about all cartridge headsets. . . still CK is a no brainer.

[shinomaster]

Flux....I drink expensive beer every night.! :beer:

[soulspinner]

cheap beer or cheap headsets-nobody wins there...

[jerk]

kings are bulbous and round and look stupid on most bikes. one exception that proves the rule is how awesome this '08 colnago c50 rabobank looked with a mango chris king. so frucking perfect......

but still it looks pretty dumb on most bikes. works great sure-but most headsets work great. what shocks me is that folks will put up with these awful bottom brackets, be they isis or external or whatever with horrible drag and poor longevity yet they'll only use chris king headsets. that is the one bearing assembly that as long as something isn't pitted and its installed and adjusted correctly it doesn't make a bit of difference in terms of function.

jerk

[davids]

kings are bulbous and round and look stupid on most bikes. one exception that proves the rule is how awesome this '08 colnago c50 rabobank looked with a mango chris king. so frucking perfect......

but still it looks pretty dumb on most bikes. works great sure-but most headsets work great. what shocks me is that folks will put up with these awful bottom brackets, be they isis or external or whatever with horrible drag and poor longevity yet they'll only use chris king headsets. that is the one bearing assembly that as long as something isn't pitted and its installed and adjusted correctly it doesn't make a bit of difference in terms of function.

jerk"Fast and bulbous" has a long, proud history. But yeah (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=459017&postcount=38).

http://www.beefheart.com/datharp/albums/related/pics/fastnbulbous_back.jpg

[goonster]

what shocks me is that folks will put up with these awful bottom brackets, be they isis or external or whatever with horrible drag and poor longevity yet they'll only use chris king headsets.

Today is the day I learned to love The Jerk, atmo. :beer:

[jchasse]

kings are bulbous and round and look stupid on most bikes.

jerk

:no:

[jtferraro]

It's 1 1/8 only so it won't help you with your Zank
JG

Provided shino goes w/the curved blade fork, it's available (correct me if I'm wrong or course, Zank).

[Sasha18]

what shocks me is that folks will put up with these awful bottom brackets, be they isis or external or whatever with horrible drag and poor longevity
jerk

What is the Bottom Bracket equivalent of Chris King? Phil Wood? How about in an external cup? Chris King needs to start making BBs.

[RudAwkning]

If you're gonna use and abuse the headset (cyclocross, rain, commuting), buy a CK for the 10 year warranty alone.

[shinomaster]

kings are bulbous and round and look stupid on most bikes. one exception that proves the rule is how awesome this '08 colnago c50 rabobank looked with a mango chris king. so frucking perfect......

but still it looks pretty dumb on most bikes. works great sure-but most headsets work great. what shocks me is that folks will put up with these awful bottom brackets, be they isis or external or whatever with horrible drag and poor longevity yet they'll only use chris king headsets. that is the one bearing assembly that as long as something isn't pitted and its installed and adjusted correctly it doesn't make a bit of difference in terms of function.

jerk



Wow, I never thought the Jerk and i would agree on something. No MP ultra -dork crank is going on my Zank, just an old square tapered campy. :banana:

[RudAwkning]

kings are bulbous and round and look stupid on most bikes.
jerk

Wow. Never heard that one before. I think any headset that isn't round and bulbous looks stupid on a bike. Gimme a classic Campy style headset any day of the week over some awful, angular POS. Hell, I'd settle for a $60 FSA Orbit X.

[shinomaster]

NAshbar has that cane creek for $14.00

[RudAwkning]

NAshbar has that cane creek for $14.00

There's a reason. It's an awful, angular POS :D

[mjb266]

With King's dedication to enviro/social responsibility and their commitment to making Cross Crusade happen you've got your answer. Free coffee in 50 degree mud fests...

As a cross racing Portland resident you should feel guilty even considering other options.

[shinomaster]

With King's dedication to enviro/social responsibility and their commitment to making Cross Crusade happen you've got your answer. Free coffee in 50 degree mud fests...

As a cross racing Portland resident you should feel guilty even considering other options.


How dare you judge me.

[DarrenCT]

cheap beer or cheap headsets-nobody wins there...

+1

although id rather have a cheap hs then a cheap beer

:beer:

[shinomaster]

+1

although id rather have a cheap hs then a cheap beer

:beer:


Yeah me too.

[Louis]

guessing you haven't raced a lot of cross with those cheapo headsets. think about 40+ races in a couple of years over stutter bumps while dipped in wet cement.

So Coy, exactly what would you say is the percentage of the bikes owned by all the people on this forum that are subjected to this?

[coylifut]

So Coy, exactly what would you say is the percentage of the bikes owned by all the people on this forum that are subjected to this?

dunno, but I do know that skinny fat boy will using it in the wet and gritty environs of the PNW and power washing the bike about every fall weekend.

[shinomaster]

dunno, but I do know that skinny fat boy will using it in the wet and gritty environs of the PNW and power washing the bike about every fall weekend.

Who you calling skinny? :) True, I think the hose damages the bike more then the races.

[chrisroph]

that is the one bearing assembly that as long as something isn't pitted and its installed and adjusted correctly it doesn't make a bit of difference in terms of function.



true most headsets work fine for a long while, but in these parts cross bikes and winter bikes tend to go through campys, shimanos, etc much faster than kings

[J.Greene]

.

[soulspinner]

+1

although id rather have a cheap hs then a cheap beer

:beer:


I make do with fsa headsets at 50 clams and Sam Adams. :beer: