na975
09-01-05, 03:42 PM
wheres the cheapest place to buy? links :/
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - chris king headset
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Ken Cox
09-01-05, 04:01 PM
I recently replaced my cheap OEM headset with a Chris King, or, rather, I should say my lbs replaced it.
I could have gotten it cheaper online, but I needed someone to install it.
Somehow it seems wrong to take my own bacon and eggs to a restaurant and ask them to cook them for me.
I have a friend who says he could have installed my Chris King headset with two by fours and a hammer, or something like that, but the idea didn't sit as well as the thought of my lbs, who sells these things and has done this hundreds of times with the proper tools, doing it.
So, I went to the lbs's I trusted and asked them each for a competitive bid, total price installed.
I could have gotten it cheaper online, but I needed someone to install it.
Somehow it seems wrong to take my own bacon and eggs to a restaurant and ask them to cook them for me.
I have a friend who says he could have installed my Chris King headset with two by fours and a hammer, or something like that, but the idea didn't sit as well as the thought of my lbs, who sells these things and has done this hundreds of times with the proper tools, doing it.
So, I went to the lbs's I trusted and asked them each for a competitive bid, total price installed.
na975
09-01-05, 04:12 PM
im looking for place to purchase thats less than $125.
jayrooney
09-01-05, 04:17 PM
I recently replaced my cheap OEM headset with a Chris King, or, rather, I should say my lbs replaced it.
I could have gotten it cheaper online, but I needed someone to install it.
Somehow it seems wrong to take my own bacon and eggs to a restaurant and ask them to cook them for me.
I have a friend who says he could have installed my Chris King headset with two by fours and a hammer, or something like that, but the idea didn't sit as well as the thought of my lbs, who sells these things and has done this hundreds of times with the proper tools, doing it.
So, I went to the lbs's I trusted and asked them each for a competitive bid, total price installed.
Then the LBS takes your bike to the back room and installs the headset with the proper 2x4's and hammers :) I installed a CK headset with 2x4's it works, the proper tools are probably alot safer.
I could have gotten it cheaper online, but I needed someone to install it.
Somehow it seems wrong to take my own bacon and eggs to a restaurant and ask them to cook them for me.
I have a friend who says he could have installed my Chris King headset with two by fours and a hammer, or something like that, but the idea didn't sit as well as the thought of my lbs, who sells these things and has done this hundreds of times with the proper tools, doing it.
So, I went to the lbs's I trusted and asked them each for a competitive bid, total price installed.
Then the LBS takes your bike to the back room and installs the headset with the proper 2x4's and hammers :) I installed a CK headset with 2x4's it works, the proper tools are probably alot safer.
na975
09-01-05, 04:19 PM
this is funny
jim-bob
09-01-05, 04:39 PM
Chris King keeps a pretty tight rein on pricing. Good luck finding anything new and wildly below $125.
YellowFixedGear
09-01-05, 05:08 PM
www.houseoftrack.com
100 and free shipping!
someone on CL NY posted that said they wanted a Chris King Headset and only wanted to pay $50.00 for it. They also said it had to be (NEW)
if anyone finds them at that price.. let me know.. I want 100 of them
100 and free shipping!
someone on CL NY posted that said they wanted a Chris King Headset and only wanted to pay $50.00 for it. They also said it had to be (NEW)
if anyone finds them at that price.. let me know.. I want 100 of them
jasonyates
09-01-05, 05:10 PM
Not to take this thread too much off topic, but Ken Cox: were you having a problem with the stock headset? And is there a noticable improvement with the new one?
marcelinyc
09-01-05, 05:16 PM
Brooklyn 86 street and 3 ave lbs.100$ installation included
Ken Cox
09-01-05, 05:22 PM
I paid $130 installed at WebCyclery.
My stock headset started to "clunk" when I used the front brake.
Improvement?
No clunk, yet. :)
My stock headset started to "clunk" when I used the front brake.
Improvement?
No clunk, yet. :)
eat_raw
09-01-05, 05:32 PM
Brooklyn 86 street and 3 ave lbs.100$ installation included
What's the name of the shop?
What's the name of the shop?
LV2TNDM
09-01-05, 06:09 PM
It's a pricey component, but worth the money. If it's a 1 1/8" you'll be able to use it on any future bike you may own.
My tandem hung on my wall for four months after a rainy drive down the Pacific coast. When I finally pulled the fork to do an overhaul, water poured out! (Oops, shoulda gotten to that sooner!) The headset sat for four months bathing in water! And this headset is on a mtn. tandem (lots of offroad use that trip - Trail 401 in Crested Butte, Slickrock {attempt**), so it got lots of abuse. Well, after flushing and re-greasing the bearings, it worked flawless and still does!
But don't install with hammer and 2X4's. Proper installation involves reaming, facing and deburring the head tube (to keep the frame from "potato-peeling" aluminum from the cups), a headset press and King setting tools for ideal installtion. If you do that you'll probably never wear one out.
But that being said, you'll find some online sellers offering it a bit below MSRP. Just don't waste 30 minutes of your LBS salesman's time asking about King, only to walk in a week later with one and then ask for favors on the installation. Have some class!
My tandem hung on my wall for four months after a rainy drive down the Pacific coast. When I finally pulled the fork to do an overhaul, water poured out! (Oops, shoulda gotten to that sooner!) The headset sat for four months bathing in water! And this headset is on a mtn. tandem (lots of offroad use that trip - Trail 401 in Crested Butte, Slickrock {attempt**), so it got lots of abuse. Well, after flushing and re-greasing the bearings, it worked flawless and still does!
But don't install with hammer and 2X4's. Proper installation involves reaming, facing and deburring the head tube (to keep the frame from "potato-peeling" aluminum from the cups), a headset press and King setting tools for ideal installtion. If you do that you'll probably never wear one out.
But that being said, you'll find some online sellers offering it a bit below MSRP. Just don't waste 30 minutes of your LBS salesman's time asking about King, only to walk in a week later with one and then ask for favors on the installation. Have some class!
ostro
09-01-05, 07:54 PM
read all about facing (http://www.chrisking.com/tech/tech_headsets.html) your headtube for a CK headset.
i have heard that no face = no warranty
i have heard that no face = no warranty
poopncow
09-02-05, 12:37 AM
Do it yourself has great rewards, but after spending bucks on a CK, wouldn't u want to make sure it is installed in a way which you get every penny's worth? It would seem that any misaligment would detract from the smoothness (and increase wear?) and may result in seat...er...set, settling problems later. LBS Revolution bike shop Georgetown, purchased, installed with reaming and facing (alum frame) $120... note it was raining that day. THANKS PINKY!
hypersnazz
09-02-05, 12:45 AM
Ganked from another thread:
"A bearing is only as good as its mounting."
"A bearing is only as good as its mounting."
LóFarkas
09-02-05, 03:45 AM
An LBS mounted my headset with a hammer only :eek:
I could have done that... I went to the shop because I don't have a headset press and I wanted it done properly. Hungarian LBS's do scary things. No torque wrenches to be seen anywhere, etc.
Edit: it was a cheapo headset I got for $8. I wouldn't let that kid touch a King
I could have done that... I went to the shop because I don't have a headset press and I wanted it done properly. Hungarian LBS's do scary things. No torque wrenches to be seen anywhere, etc.
Edit: it was a cheapo headset I got for $8. I wouldn't let that kid touch a King
marcelinyc
09-02-05, 08:06 AM
i dont remember, look it up yourself!
eat_raw
09-02-05, 12:24 PM
i dont remember, look it up yourself!
Since I know there's no bike shop at 86th and 3rd in Brooklyn, no need for me to look it up.
Since I know there's no bike shop at 86th and 3rd in Brooklyn, no need for me to look it up.
daveIT
09-02-05, 06:33 PM
Yeah, search the forum for some great reviews of "bike king" haha!
www.houseoftrack.com
100 and free shipping!
someone on CL NY posted that said they wanted a Chris King Headset and only wanted to pay $50.00 for it. They also said it had to be (NEW)
if anyone finds them at that price.. let me know.. I want 100 of them
www.houseoftrack.com
100 and free shipping!
someone on CL NY posted that said they wanted a Chris King Headset and only wanted to pay $50.00 for it. They also said it had to be (NEW)
if anyone finds them at that price.. let me know.. I want 100 of them
12XU
09-02-05, 06:57 PM
Get a job at a bike shop and order direct from King for the best deal.
potus
09-02-05, 07:05 PM
CK heatsets also require special adaptors for the press like these
http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=867191616175&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Headset&tc=Press%20Adaptors&item_id=KG-PA1
http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=867191616175&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Headset&tc=Press%20Adaptors&item_id=KG-PA1
modmon
09-02-05, 07:33 PM
ive got a 1" chris king headset in blue im trying to sell if anyone is interested. very lightly used.
modmon
09-03-05, 06:33 AM
heres a pic
adamkell
09-03-05, 08:16 AM
I got excited for a moment there. A blue _threaded_ headset and you'd have a PM from me. Anyone else? Quick! Before we get moderated! :D
na975
09-03-05, 10:42 AM
i found it for $123. ship includ.
eddiebrannan
09-03-05, 02:01 PM
Since I know there's no bike shop at 86th and 3rd in Brooklyn, no need for me to look it up.
there is. it's down the street from bay ridge bikes (http://www.bayridgebikes.com/store.htm), which is an excellent store, known to all dh and freeriders in nyc, and a place that will definitely stock ck headsets and know how to instal them properly. i don't mknow about the 86th st place
there is. it's down the street from bay ridge bikes (http://www.bayridgebikes.com/store.htm), which is an excellent store, known to all dh and freeriders in nyc, and a place that will definitely stock ck headsets and know how to instal them properly. i don't mknow about the 86th st place
eat_raw
09-03-05, 03:32 PM
there is. it's down the street from bay ridge bikes (http://www.bayridgebikes.com/store.htm), which is an excellent store, known to all dh and freeriders in nyc, and a place that will definitely stock ck headsets and know how to instal them properly. i don't mknow about the 86th st place
Yeah. I know them; they're real good about installing parts you buy from them. Not very fixed oriented, however.
They're on 3rd between 89th and 90th st.
A few years ago, another shop opened on 3rd and probably between 87th and 88th. They've since moved to 5th and 72nd (or so).
Make it to the track yet, Ed?
I sure haven't. Still can't made a decision on a track frame.
At least I have my daily riding at the park (wind and all).
Yeah. I know them; they're real good about installing parts you buy from them. Not very fixed oriented, however.
They're on 3rd between 89th and 90th st.
A few years ago, another shop opened on 3rd and probably between 87th and 88th. They've since moved to 5th and 72nd (or so).
Make it to the track yet, Ed?
I sure haven't. Still can't made a decision on a track frame.
At least I have my daily riding at the park (wind and all).
Ken Cox
09-03-05, 05:36 PM
Earlier I wrote about taking my bacon and eggs to a restaurant and asking them to cook them for me.
Someone sent me a Private Message that got me thinking more about that.
My lbs of choice, WebCyclery, has mixed prices: some very good and some not.
They also sell on the internet and they give me lots of advice.
If I took up their time asking them about wheels, bought the components they recommended online from another vendor, and then took the parts to them for them to make into a wheel, well, I don't know.
I could see it both ways.
On my Chris King headset, they simply gave me a price installed without breaking it down between parts and labor.
I could have asked for separate bids for parts and labor.
I thought my bacon and eggs analogy covered it, but now, thanks to my fellow forumite who wrote to me, I don't know.
Someone sent me a Private Message that got me thinking more about that.
My lbs of choice, WebCyclery, has mixed prices: some very good and some not.
They also sell on the internet and they give me lots of advice.
If I took up their time asking them about wheels, bought the components they recommended online from another vendor, and then took the parts to them for them to make into a wheel, well, I don't know.
I could see it both ways.
On my Chris King headset, they simply gave me a price installed without breaking it down between parts and labor.
I could have asked for separate bids for parts and labor.
I thought my bacon and eggs analogy covered it, but now, thanks to my fellow forumite who wrote to me, I don't know.
eddiebrannan
09-03-05, 06:06 PM
Make it to the track yet, Ed?
nope. on deadline. sucks. will be done this week, so next saturday for sure. got this new colnago fork on there so will be sweet to take it where it was designed for.
nope. on deadline. sucks. will be done this week, so next saturday for sure. got this new colnago fork on there so will be sweet to take it where it was designed for.
r-dub
09-04-05, 05:59 PM
don't forget, there's always the us$10 home depot headset press that works fine...I use it to install headsets pretty frequently...after tapping and facing with the campy kit (significanly more than us$10)
ryan_c
09-04-05, 11:22 PM
don't forget, there's always the us$10 home depot headset press that works fine...I use it to install headsets pretty frequently...after tapping and facing with the campy kit (significanly more than us$10)
In case anyone is curious what r-dub is talking about, I'm guessing it's this tried and true method.
Ingredients:
1 Very long bolt
1 Matching nut
2 bushings that fit well in your upper and lower headset cups
2 washers to go over bolt at least as big as the bushings
To make:
Preheat oven to 350 deg. F
On bolt, place 1 washer, 1 bushing then 1 headset cup.
Place through headtube, add other headset cup, bushing, and washer, follow with nut.
Tighten nut until the cups are pressed in place.
Serves 1
Obviously this doesn't include facing or reaming (chasing is for threads, not headset) which I think should be done on any bike you actually care about.
In case anyone is curious what r-dub is talking about, I'm guessing it's this tried and true method.
Ingredients:
1 Very long bolt
1 Matching nut
2 bushings that fit well in your upper and lower headset cups
2 washers to go over bolt at least as big as the bushings
To make:
Preheat oven to 350 deg. F
On bolt, place 1 washer, 1 bushing then 1 headset cup.
Place through headtube, add other headset cup, bushing, and washer, follow with nut.
Tighten nut until the cups are pressed in place.
Serves 1
Obviously this doesn't include facing or reaming (chasing is for threads, not headset) which I think should be done on any bike you actually care about.