Bicycle Mechanics - FSA Pig DH Headsets & King Headsets.. please help me...

Hey guys. I have an 03' BigHit Comp w/ a 03' Jr.T on it. My problem is that my stock headset (FSA Tank) keeps coming loose. It *will not* stay tight for more than a 2-3 rides. I don't want to ovalize my expensive frame, so which headset should I get?

I know that King's are "the best there is" ... but are they strong enough for hucking, jumps, DJ's, trails, Urban Assault missions, and everything in-between? Can they withstand the extra pressure of a Dual-Clamp fork? (excuse my ignorance here...).

I've heard nothing but good things about the King .. except for the price. I'll have to shell out $100 bones, plus installation. ( I dont have a cup-press).

I've heard several people say that the Pig DH Pro is good, and is the "poor-man's Chris King" ... but with having such ****ty luck with this current FSA.. I'm seriously questioning another one. Is the tank just a piece of ****, and the Pig is way better, or are most FSA's like this? For god's sake my lower race *SLID ON* the steerer tube, and I had to shim it up. :evil: .

Please help me out here with your opinions on what I should do.... bite the $100 bullet and get the king, or risk another crappy headset that won't stay adjusted properly like this... and buy another FSA.

Help!

-Matt

WHen you say loose, the cups are coming loose from the headtube? Why not check into the Chris King Steelset, if you are worried about ovalizing your frame. That would be the ultimate in protection.

I say don't risk it. That's what I did. Wanted to save money and ended up with a **** headset. If what they say about King is true, then definitely get one. That’s what I’m going to do when the I’m through with C2

Originally posted by BigHit-Maniac
Hey guys. I have an 03' BigHit Comp w/ a 03' Jr.T on it. My problem is that my stock headset (FSA Tank) keeps coming loose. It *will not* stay tight for more than a 2-3 rides. I don't want to ovalize my expensive frame, so which headset should I get?

I know that King's are "the best there is" ... but are they strong enough for hucking, jumps, DJ's, trails, Urban Assault missions, and everything in-between? Can they withstand the extra pressure of a Dual-Clamp fork? (excuse my ignorance here...).



They are definately strong enough. Raceface also has one in the same price range but without the kickass warranty. I currenty ride the FSA pig DH sealed bearing headset and think it is the second best. And DEFINATELY the best value at 40$ cdn.



I've heard several people say that the Pig DH Pro is good, and is the "poor-man's Chris King" ... but with having such ****ty luck with this current FSA.. I'm seriously questioning another one. Is the tank just a piece of ****, and the Pig is way better, or are most FSA's like this? For god's sake my lower race *SLID ON* the steerer tube, and I had to shim it up. :evil: .


Wow that sounds like an issue with the steerer it should need some banging to mount FOR SURE. Please tell me the cups have no slop. If they do there is really only one choice. The FSA is solid but if you have had some slop with the cups definately go with the steelheadset as it will be the best protection against ovalisation. Keep in mind it takes more than mounting cost as they also have to face (I think that is the term) deeper into the headtube in order to make room for the longer cups.

Cheers.

The cups themselves on my frame *are NOT* loose.

When I pull the fork out, the cups are super tight... like they're supposed to be.

The only thing that's foobar'd is the darn lower-race. (where it presses onto the steerer).

I think I just may go King.


:beer:

A mechanic may try to 'knurl' the crown race seat. This would give a better press fit. However, this would be a temporary solution, based on your riding. My vote is for King.

Good Luck!

Originally posted by BigHit-Maniac
The cups themselves on my frame *are NOT* loose.

When I pull the fork out, the cups are super tight... like they're supposed to be.

The only thing that's foobar'd is the darn lower-race. (where it presses onto the steerer).

I think I just may go King.


:beer:

Are you 100% sure its the race and the steerer? It would be really really odd to expand the side of a race while compressed the bloated part of the steerer seems more likely. I don't even know if at this point there is anything wrong with the race.

Thank god the cups aren't loose woooo (wipes forehead)

Toughest of them all is the steelset but it is the most expensive, there is no question about that.. not to say that other headsets are not good. The FSA makes some excellent headsets. If the races are coming loose it is not the headset's fault though. THe headset itself does not keep the race's in place. It is the force being pushed down from your stem. When you tighten the headset cap, be sure to loosen the bolts on your stem.

Yeah, I always loosen the stantion-clamp bolts, and adjust the top-cap first, so that it pulls the steerer to where it needs to be.

Once the headset feels right, (good smooth steering, and no play) I tighten down the stantion clamp bolts and the center clamp bolt.

My fork uses the integrated stem.

I think the bulge to keep the race on is screwed...get it checked by a mech before spending a bunch of cash.

Wow that sounds like an issue with the steerer it should need some banging to mount FOR SURE

On some of the FSA headsets the lower race has a split in it so it just slides on and off when needed. If the headset is torqued properly then it will cause no problems.

The FSA Pig Pro, RaceFace DH, Chris King Steel all have steel cups. The problem you will run into with the C.K. Steel is your head tube. It slides in so far that you may need to file down the lip on the inside of the head tube.

Oh yeah, one other headset that you might want to look at is the WOOdman Jupiter. I did some reaserch on it and have gotten good feed back. I just ordered one for $66 from WOOdman to test out.

And one more thought. You could always use a Headlock. You will need to remove the star nut. It is just a long bolt that fits through the steerer and basically clamps the headset down. They run about $20 and they definitly work.

Yeah. I can't fit a C.K Steelset in my frame unless I take it to a machinest and have the head-tube reamed. It get's like 3mm thicker down in there... (like a noticible "ridge" if you look at it from the top).

I might look into one of those Azonic clamp dealies... but those are kinda gh3tto aren't they?


I'm either going to get a Pig DH Pro or a C.K NoThreadSet.

It just depends on how big my next paycheck is. ;)

Did you have this loosening problem with your old fork, I know you have not had the zocci very long. Did you install the zocci yourself or did the lbs do it. I assume that there is enough gap between the top cap and the stem to allow for it to compress the bearings, like say 2 or 3 mm? If all is well there then I would assume that the steerer needs to be knurled so that the lower race fits on tightly (assuming it is not a split style) as that is likely the cause of your misadjustment woes.

-Ryan

Originally posted by BigHit-Maniac
I might look into one of those Azonic clamp dealies... but those are kinda gh3tto aren't they?


No ... you won't even notice.

Did you have this loosening problem with your old fork, I know you have not had the zocci very long. Did you install the zocci yourself or did the lbs do it. I assume that there is enough gap between the top cap and the stem to allow for it to compress the bearings, like say 2 or 3 mm? If all is well there then I would assume that the steerer needs to be knurled so that the lower race fits on tightly (assuming it is not a split style) as that is likely the cause of your misadjustment woes.


Hey there Ryan. No.. the headset did NOT loosen with the old fork in there. (03' DJ II). I had it installed by my friend who has been a bikeshop mechanic for over 7 years. He has all the right tools, and has installed countless forks.

I shimmed the lower race with a ring made out of a pop-can. The darn thing could be put on *by hand* without my shim... and it's not the "split style" kind either.

I've tried everything else known to man... and I've had 3 differnent shops look at it with no avail.

I'm just now going to buy a new headset.. I dont wanna mess up my expensive frame from a POS headset.

I still can't decide between the King or the Pig DH Pro.

I've heard nothing but good remarks about both of them.... ;)

Both are great and it really depends on which one you want on the front. Ck definately looks cooler...but the pig mascot is cooler...

you know, every time you abberviate Chris King with C.K., I think "Calvin Klein"...and for a sec I think, "Calvin Klein makes bike parts?" then I snap out of it.

I would say if money is not the problem get the steelset, you know that can take any abuse you can throw at it, otherwise the pig is a great headset to get at less then half the cost.

How about this e-mail ChrisKing and FSA and ask them if they feel their headset (or call them), will fix your problem. See which you get better service from and use that as the deciding factor.

I just did it.

I just ordered a Gold-Colored Chris King NoThreadset.


AHHHH!!! I was expecting to walk in and order a Pig DH... and I wound up ordering the King instead. Doh' . Oh well. This'll be BAD-ASS! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Hey figure the Chris King you can get any color you want to so will match better :)

Yeah. The gold one looks super cool.

I'll snap some pics of it on my BH once it's installed. :beer: