Why is Chris King headset 3 times more $$$?

[rideon7]

Just discovered that the new Specialized Roubaix frameset I bought, which arrived the day before Christmas :) , doesn't include a headset, so I'll need to buy one. The headset on my LeMond is a Cane Creek, which has worked fine for me, and I can get a Cane Creek S3 at PerformanceBike.com for $39.99. A Chris King headset, on the other hand, goes for $129.99. Other than the choice of colors, why in the heck is the Chris King more than three times as expensive? Just name? Bling? I just can't imagine that great of a performance difference for the price.

N.B.: I thought about putting this question up on the Road Cycling forum but this place is just so much more . . . civilized!

[Retro Grouch]

I think that it's a combination of everything. They look great, they have name recognition, all of the tolerences are snug and they really do seem to hold up a little better. Whether all of those factors combine to equal the price difference is a decision only you can make.

If you're building a "no compromises" bike and you think that you might kick yourself every time you look at it for cheaping out on the headset, the extra $90.00 might be well worth it.

[Soil_Sampler]

almost the same reasons the CC110 goes for $140.

http://www.canecreek.com/cane-creek-110-headset.html

[maddmaxx]

Are you sure that the S3 is the right headset for your frame. All of the new Roubaix frames take an integraged headset.

If that were true you would be looking at a Cane Creek IS2 or IS6 or 8 if that were your brand choice. If FSA then I would recomend an Orbit IS or Orbit IS carbon.

The Chris King Headsets use a very high grade of bearing and have some ultra precise machine work on the races. One of those should last a long long time.....thats why so pricey.

[big john]

Chris King does things in the most eco-friendly way he can, not the cheapest.

[Steve B.]

I upgraded once to a CK 1" threaded on a road bike. It looked nice, till I had the replace the Klein frame under warrenty. As the CK was new, I intended to swap it to the new frame. Unfortunatly it needed extra spacers and nothing but CK spacers would work, and they had stopped making that model. I was SOL.

Shimano Ultegra 1" is every bit as good and cheaper, IMO, and that's what I have used on all my bikes that have 1".

CK in my mind and like a lot of similar stuff, is marketing at it's best.

Steve B.

[stapfam]

I use the headsets that came with the bikes and other than the MTB that stood for 6 months with water in the headset and I did not check it out- I have never had problems with a headset. And that has included some very cheap basic headsets. BUT there are certain makes and types that run smoother- require less maintenance and generraly give a better ride than others- Chris King headsets are one of those. Worth the money? Don't know but have knotchy steering for a 50 mile ride and you will want something better.

I normally use Cane creek- or buy bikes with cane creek - and like them.The bearings are sealed and if they do cause a problem can easily be changed.

[rideon7]

Are you sure that the S3 is the right headset for your frame. All of the new Roubaix frames take an integraged headset.

If that were true you would be looking at a Cane Creek IS2 or IS6 or 8 if that were your brand choice. If FSA then I would recomend an Orbit IS or Orbit IS carbon.

The Chris King Headsets use a very high grade of bearing and have some ultra precise machine work on the races. One of those should last a long long time.....thats why so pricey.

Ah, right you are. Thanks for drawing my attention to that or I would have spent time and money wondering why I couldn't get the S3 headset to go on the Roubaix.

[rideon7]

Chris King does things in the most eco-friendly way he can, not the cheapest.

Don't know that something that is less expensive is the cheapest. I think there are very functional components out there that will work just as well as pricier components. Some trade-off, in weight, for example, but just a matter of priorities. Very cool that CK takes the green road. Thank you for that info.

[rideon7]

I think that it's a combination of everything. They look great, they have name recognition, all of the tolerences are snug and they really do seem to hold up a little better. Whether all of those factors combine to equal the price difference is a decision only you can make.

If you're building a "no compromises" bike and you think that you might kick yourself every time you look at it for cheaping out on the headset, the extra $90.00 might be well worth it.

My tastes run more toward reliability and bang for buck than bling and sting. The components on the build are going to be Ultegra, with a Dura-Ace chain just to get the cachet of D.A. on the bike somewhere.

[rideon7]

I use the headsets that came with the bikes and other than the MTB that stood for 6 months with water in the headset and I did not check it out- I have never had problems with a headset. And that has included some very cheap basic headsets. BUT there are certain makes and types that run smoother- require less maintenance and generraly give a better ride than others- Chris King headsets are one of those. Worth the money? Don't know but have knotchy steering for a 50 mile ride and you will want something better.

I normally use Cane creek- or buy bikes with cane creek - and like them.The bearings are sealed and if they do cause a problem can easily be changed.

The Cane Creek on my LeMond has also done fine. Stock parts on assembled bikes aren't always that great--wheelsets seem to be a cost-savings area for a lot of bike makers--so I reckon I'll take it up at least a notch for the headset on the Roubaix. Have never had knotchy steering, but last summer did see an ovalized steering tube on an old Bianchi a friend of mine had. Could not be salvaged. Poor bike had to be taken out and shot.

[BCIpam]

I have CK headsets on all my bikes (that's 4 bikes). Not saying Cane Creek are bad but CK's will last a lifetime. If you don't keep your bikes that long, look at something else. I tend to keep bikes awhile and ride them to death. I know the CK headsets won't cause me any problems...

and they are blingy! ;) Nothing wrong with alittle bling (ask me about my CK wheelsets!)

[Ken Cox]

The very top of the line Cane Creek headset matches Chris King's headset, but the Cane Creek costs more money, they make them in China, and they have no regard for the environment.

I like Cane Creek stuff.
I think Cane Creek's other products represent the best value for the money.

In the case of Cane Creek's headset, I have to give the nod to Chris King on the basis of made-in-America environmental responsibility, and price.

I have a Chris King NoThread head set and Cane Creek S-8 on different bikes, and I like them both.
At my riding weight, I need a top quality headset.

If buying a new head set today in the $120-$140 range, I would go with Chris King again.

I would have no second thoughts, though, about a $140 Cane Creek 110, the counterpart to Chris King's NoThreadset.

[genec]

I think that it's a combination of everything. They look great, they have name recognition, all of the tolerences are snug and they really do seem to hold up a little better. Whether all of those factors combine to equal the price difference is a decision only you can make.

If you're building a "no compromises" bike and you think that you might kick yourself every time you look at it for cheaping out on the headset, the extra $90.00 might be well worth it.

No, the OP cannot make that decision... How can anyone "decide" these things without some experience/knowledge with the thing (what ever it is) first. This was why the OP asked the question in the first place... without the knowledge of the specifics you mentioned, to the OP, this was just a more expensive part with no reasonable justification.

[big john]

Lots to read here. He gives a 10 year warranty, too.
http://www.chrisking.com/pucks/index.html

[BluesDawg]

I have no doubt that King headsets are finely crafted, great functioning things. But headsets costing 1/3 the price work beautifully and can last longer than the rest of the bike. I just can't see how anything can be 3 times better than that.

[edzo]

I have no doubt that King headsets are finely crafted, great functioning things. But headsets costing 1/3 the price work beautifully and can last longer than the rest of the bike. I just can't see how anything can be 3 times better than that.

I'm with you. 3 times better ? sheesh.

Chris King is more like 10 times better


I have them on all my bikes. never need to readjust them, never notchy, last forever in
all sorts of crud. worth the loot times eleventy

[BluesDawg]

I'm with you. 3 times better ? sheesh.

Chris King is more like 10 times better


I have them on all my bikes. never need to readjust them, never notchy, last forever in
all sorts of crud. worth the loot times eleventy

You must have had a whole helluvalot more problems with headsets than I have.

[gear]

Like a Campy shifter a CK headset can be rebuilt.

[edzo]

You must have had a whole helluvalot more problems with headsets than I have.

I like to ride hard and put my bikes away wet. and I don't wash or wipe my bikes
dopwn except the chain. I ride mtb in the mud a huge amount of the time
(logging roads and powerlines, mud riding doesn't ruin the trail) and all headsets
I used in the past got notchy or gummy or loose.

since using CK....no problems. maybe headsets got better. I only use CK now
so the only time I have anything else is if a new bike comes built
with something different. perhaps other headsets caught up in quality to
some degree.

lemme think...nope. I am still tightening the other ones
once in a while. cane creek, and a ritchey. both get loose after a few hundred
miles or beatings.

I dunno ...all the bike shop insiders and hard core riders I know of choose CK headsets
over the others.

[Retro Grouch]

Like a Campy shifter a CK headset can be rebuilt.

??????

[maddmaxx]

Any modern cartridge bearing headset can be rebuilt by tossing in a new bearing set.

IMHO save the money, by a Cane Creek or FSA with sealed bearings, take care of your bike just a little and let the "insiders" hang around the LBS drinking Red Bull and spending money.

[Soil_Sampler]

??????

I think he means serviced(cleaned&greased)

[BSLeVan]

Other than the choice of colors, why in the heck is the Chris King more than three times as expensive? Just name? Bling? I just can't imagine that great of a performance difference for the price.

Perhaps I'm being a cynic, but they cost more because people will pay more for them. If the market wouldn't support the product at that price, they wouldn't cost as much. Now as to why the market will support this price, that's a different question. I suspect there are very few riders that need or would notice and performance difference between a Cane Creek and the CK, and perhaps even fewer who would wear out a Cane Creek. (Yes, I know there are some who would or could.) Hence, I think the bling factor and/or pride of ownership play a really big part in this. Please note I'm not making a value judgement about this. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to feel proud of what one owns. Nor, do I think there is anything wrong with wanting simplicity.

[rideon7]

Lots to read here. He gives a 10 year warranty, too.
http://www.chrisking.com/pucks/index.html

Good link. I enjoyed reading about the company's green practices.

I also checked out their info on the site about integrated headsets. I don't think CK makes an integrated headset and they don't like them. This is a line at the end of their article about the integrated headset: “Don’t let your future bike have this foolish headset.” Then there is a call to action to contact bike manufacturers, frame builders, etc. to get rid of it.

http://www.chrisking.com/pdfs/Int%20Headsets%20Explained.pdf

Their general discussion/explanation of headsets is here:

http://www.chrisking.com/headsets/hds_index.html

[rideon7]

An update to my earlier post that my new frameset lacked a headset. Okay, the headset IS there, or at least some components of the headset are there--I'm still trying to determine if both the centering sleeve and and fork sleeve are included. Will probably have to drop by my LBS to have them give me their opinion. But the top cap and bolt (star nut) are not included, which means I'll have to buy them.

I am also wondering if anyone has installed one of the top cap/bolt components that do not use a star nut, a sort of expander bolt that secures as you the top cap bolt is tightened (yeah, a bit like the old quil type stems). Any ideas about the use of this type of top bolt with a carbon fiber fork (pressures and torques and all that)? Here's an example of what I'm thinking of:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/HS408Z19-Fsa+Compressor+Top+Cap.aspx

[stapfam]

I am also wondering if anyone has installed one of the top cap/bolt components that do not use a star nut, a sort of expander bolt that secures as you the top cap bolt is tightened (yeah, a bit like the old quil type stems). Any ideas about the use of this type of top bolt with a carbon fiber fork (pressures and torques and all that)? Here's an example of what I'm thinking of:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/HS408Z19-Fsa+Compressor+Top+Cap.aspx

The Boreas has a CF fork and steerer and it has one of the expander units fitted. Can't tell you the name as I just looked at it and without altering anything- bolted it back up again. Just a word of warning -and it also goes for star nuts in metal steerers-- Do not tighten them down too tight. Obvious why on C.F. Steerers but if you really tension that star nut with the tightening nut- It can slip.

Now if you want Bling and excellent engineering Then Hope do a Head Doctor- works superbly but quite expensive for something you cannot see.

[oilman_15106]

almost the same reasons the CC110 goes for $140.

http://www.canecreek.com/cane-creek-110-headset.html

I was going to bring up the Solos but this looks better.

[maddmaxx]

An update to my earlier post that my new frameset lacked a headset. Okay, the headset IS there, or at least some components of the headset are there--I'm still trying to determine if both the centering sleeve and and fork sleeve are included. Will probably have to drop by my LBS to have them give me their opinion. But the top cap and bolt (star nut) are not included, which means I'll have to buy them.

I am also wondering if anyone has installed one of the top cap/bolt components that do not use a star nut, a sort of expander bolt that secures as you the top cap bolt is tightened (yeah, a bit like the old quil type stems). Any ideas about the use of this type of top bolt with a carbon fiber fork (pressures and torques and all that)? Here's an example of what I'm thinking of:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/HS408Z19-Fsa+Compressor+Top+Cap.aspx

I have to ask again, "are you sure what type of headset this frame takes"?
I suspect but cannot confirm that it will be of the integrated type. If so then the "sleeves" or bearing cups that you are looking at are only part of a very inexpensive caged ball headset and you probably do not want them. Under those sleeves, the head tube will have the proper machined steps for the cartridge bearings to drop right in without cups. If this is true than everything you need including star washer will be in the new headset.

If in fact this frame does not use an integrated headset then the "sleeves" are still redundant as the new appropriate headset will have all the parts you need. The remaining choices for headsets are Zero Stack, normally but not always) seen on new mountain bikes, or conventional. In headset part numbering this would be shown as (cane creek names used for clarity) S-3 (insert the specific model number after the dash) for conventional IS-6 for integrated or ZS-2 for Zero Stack. You may have to go the the frame manufacturer's website to get the data sheet for your frame.

If you are installing a fork with a carbon fiber steering tube than you will need to use one of the compressor caps that you mention as star nuts are bad news in a carbon steerer. If its an alloy steering tube that the star nut will be fine. Your probably going to need the LBS to drive the crown race onto the fork and they can drive the star nut in at the same time.

[rideon7]

I have to ask again, "are you sure what type of headset this frame takes"?
I suspect but cannot confirm that it will be of the integrated type. If so then the "sleeves" or bearing cups that you are looking at are only part of a very inexpensive caged ball headset and you probably do not want them. Under those sleeves, the head tube will have the proper machined steps for the cartridge bearings to drop right in without cups. If this is true than everything you need including star washer will be in the new headset.

If in fact this frame does not use an integrated headset then the "sleeves" are still redundant as the new appropriate headset will have all the parts you need. The remaining choices for headsets are Zero Stack, normally but not always) seen on new mountain bikes, or conventional. In headset part numbering this would be shown as (cane creek names used for clarity) S-3 (insert the specific model number after the dash) for conventional IS-6 for integrated or ZS-2 for Zero Stack. You may have to go the the frame manufacturer's website to get the data sheet for your frame.

If you are installing a fork with a carbon fiber steering tube than you will need to use one of the compressor caps that you mention as star nuts are bad news in a carbon steerer. If its an alloy steering tube that the star nut will be fine. Your probably going to need the LBS to drive the crown race onto the fork and they can drive the star nut in at the same time.

I went to the Specialized Web site and was told the Roubaix Comp (which is the frameset I have) uses Specialized "integrated threadless cartridge sealed bearings." The fork fits into the headtube and with all the bits attached (included the bearings set into the headtube), rotates very nicely. Now I am wondering if I should bother to replace the headset it came with, having to remove the headset already in the head tube, or simply buy the compression bolt/top cap? Again, this may come down to subjective--or not so subjective--ideas about reliability and quality, and, of course, cost.

[rideon7]

The Boreas has a CF fork and steerer and it has one of the expander units fitted. Can't tell you the name as I just looked at it and without altering anything- bolted it back up again. Just a word of warning -and it also goes for star nuts in metal steerers-- Do not tighten them down too tight. Obvious why on C.F. Steerers but if you really tension that star nut with the tightening nut- It can slip.

Wow! Pulled your Borea's top cap off to check the steerer! I'm flattered!

[Retro Grouch]

[QUOTE=rideon7;5877057] Now I am wondering if I should bother to replace the headset it came with, having to remove the headset already in the head tube, or simply buy the compression bolt/top cap?/QUOTE]

You can't replace your headset. It's integrated with the head tube and conventional headsets won't fit. If and when your headset dies all that you have to do is to buy two new cartridge bearings that have angular faces that match the angled stops that are machined into your head tube.

If your fork has a carbon fiber steerer tube (and it probably does), buy a compression bolt and top cap. If your fork happens to have a metal steerer tube, a star nut and top cap will suit your needs.

[rideon7]

You can't replace your headset. It's integrated with the head tube and conventional headsets won't fit. If and when your headset dies all that you have to do is to buy two new cartridge bearings that have angular faces that match the angled stops that are machined into your head tube.

If your fork has a carbon fiber steerer tube (and it probably does), buy a compression bolt and top cap. If your fork happens to have a metal steerer tube, a star nut and top cap will suit your needs.

Yes, the carbon fiber fork has a c.f. steerer tube, so will buy the compression bolt and top cap. Thank you for the info.

[robtown]

Cane Creek 1 1/8" S2 headset at Nashbar $15

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=17379&PID=1542015

[Six jours]

Why is Chris King headset 3 times more $$$?

Because it's a good headset with a boutique cache.

The problem of headset longevity was solved decades ago with tapered roller bearings. These last essentially forever. It doesn't appear, though, that they made the transition to threadless. Perhaps their reasonable price tag did not attract the type that rides bicycles these days.

[rideon7]

Just bought this compression cap off eBay. It's new, Italian-made, Dolce Vita brand. Retails for $26.00. I paid less. Carbon cap. Looks great and will do the job.