Mountain Biking - Headsets

How much are they really worth the upgrade?

I know most, if not all of us would like to get a really nice CK headset, but thats talking in ideals, and i want to dip into realism if i may? If you had a Zero Stack headset for example. Pretty basic, nothing special. Would you bother to upgrade it to something better? Money is a factor obviously, or we would all be riding 4k MTB's.

So yay or nay? Is it really worth it?

How much are they really worth the upgrade?

I know most, if not all of us would like to get a really nice CK headset, but thats talking in ideals, and i want to dip into realism if i may? If you had a Zero Stack headset for example. Pretty basic, nothing special. Would you bother to upgrade it to something better? Money is a factor obviously, or we would all be riding 4k MTB's.

So yay or nay? Is it really worth it?
i was struggling with many restless nights with this same question when i joined last may. my therapist couldn't give me a straight answer either.

the general consensus i got from many of the very experienced folks here is that if its not broke, don't fix it. (for HS) as long as it turns smoothly just leave it. since HS are a press fit, i would think it is not something you should just change unless there is a reason.

i upgraded a lot on my bike, but just left the stock HS that is probably not worth much. maybe a 35 dollar or so back in the day...i don't even know. it still turns smoothly though!!

I would have to agree with mx_599. Just about any headset can be reliable if set properly. If you are in a position that if the headset fails and you can either wait until you can afford one, or if your need the bike soon and have the money, then rather just leave it until you either get an unbelievable deal or your headset fails. Otherwise just get one now and keep it as a spare, for when you need it.

PS. I do not know what type of riding you do so I cannot tell how long it might last.

Brendan

How much are they really worth the upgrade?

I know most, if not all of us would like to get a really nice CK headset, but thats talking in ideals, and i want to dip into realism if i may? If you had a Zero Stack headset for example. Pretty basic, nothing special. Would you bother to upgrade it to something better? Money is a factor obviously, or we would all be riding 4k MTB's.

So yay or nay? Is it really worth it?
Considering that putting a CK on a Zero Stack frame is NOT a drop in operation http://www.chrisking.com/headsets/hds_perdido.html

Some frames designed to work with the "Zero-Stack" or ZS system can be converted to Perdido™ using our tools. To provide a better interface between the headset and the frame, Perdido Headsets require a deeper and larger diameter bore than the Zero-Stack headset. This increase in bore depth may damage or weaken some frames. Not all Zero-Stack frames can be converted to Perdido, contact your frame builder to find out if your frame can be converted.
It all depends on how bad you want it

I'd say the headset is possibly the worst upgrade you can make unless there is a problem with your current one. Your much better off spending the money on other components where the difference between cheap and expensive is actually noticeable while riding.
If you already have reasonable components then hold off upgrading until your old stuff wears out or breaks.

Take it from someone who just changed his headset to a pink Chris King one. You do not *need* to change it, but if you've run out of other things to change and would like to treat yourself to a new headset, you've pretty much bought a headset for life.

Thanks for the replies guys.

:)

And besides, zerostack is a pretty nice headset.

Really? Thats reassuring then.

The time to replace a headset is when you forget to maintain the Thing and it goes rusty and solid. Till then, whatever is fitted is good enough. In the meantime get a regular service schedule worked out and say every 6 weeks, strio it down, clean and regrease. The original fitment should last a long time this way, and won't give any problems.