Bicycle Mechanics - Torelli Express headset question?

Bought a Torelli Express frame that came in the mail today. I've got all the components and parts for the build except for the headset. Could anyone advise with a list of headset candidates for this frame. Will it be 1" or 1 1/8", integrated or non-integrated? Thanks for your help. I am DYING to get her built up and out on the road.

Measure the OD of the fork steerer. That should tell you if it's 1" or 1-1/8". As to integrated or non integrated, a look at the frame should tell you but if it's integrated you have to determine what of several integrated/zero stack designs it takes. A trip to the LBS is in order.

BTW, if you are really not sure of any of these things, are you really cabable of doing the build yourself?

Measure the OD of the fork steerer. That should tell you if it's 1" or 1-1/8". As to integrated or non integrated, a look at the frame should tell you but if it's integrated you have to determine what of several integrated/zero stack designs it takes. A trip to the LBS is in order.

BTW, if you are really not sure of any of these things, are you really cabable of doing the build yourself?


Thanks for the vote of confidence. Yes, I am laughing at myself as well. I have built up from frames a Tommasso, S-Works E5, Masi Gran Criterium, Scattante SSR for SS use and a Motobecane Outcast 29er for commuting. I honestly don't have trouble building bikes, hunting up the components and parts from the internet, except that, once in a while, I get stuck on a headset problem. Like with the S-Works E5 proprietary headset that came with the used frame and was missing some parts. In the case of the steel Torelli, the head tube has larger inside diameter than my old Ciocc COM 12.5 steel frame with a 1" head tube. So, I assume the Torelli is 1 1/8". The wrench at the Torelli site I e-mailed last week told me the Express has a 1" head tube. The ends of the Torelli head tube flare out like the head tube on my other bikes that accept integrated headsets. Thus the confusion on my part. I tried a Chris King NoThreadset 1 1/8" that I had lying around and a Cane Creek S-3 spare headset and they just don't come close to fitting into the head tube. The flare is too large.
I am aware that I can solve the problem by visiting my LBS but I got home tonight to find the new frame awaiting me, but the shop had already closed. I like not having to visit the shop because I try to ride, not drive, almost everywhere and carrying a frame on my back as I pedal is less than ideal. Also, if I could get an answer tonight, I could that much more quickly order the correct headset online. I have posted this same headset question on the Torelli site, via e-mail to the shop I bought from that is 3,000 miles away and to Bikyle (a Philly Torelli dealer).
So, instead of busting my sorry a** chops, how about some help?

Well, your initial posting didn't exactly inspire confidence in your expertise level so I suggested a bike shop might be needed. We do get a lot of questions here from people who buy components and frames but have absolutely no idea what they are getting into. So, OK, you've established your bona fides and I apologize for the perceived slight.

Anyway, my advice still stands; can you measure the fork's steerer OD as that will determine if the headset has to be 1" or 1-1/8"? As to which integrated/zero stack headset fits, either your selling dealer or Torelli's distributor are the only reliable sources unless you find someone here with exactly the same model and year frame.

Guess I am partially answering my own question in this post. Got an e-mail from the shop owner who sold me the Torelli informing me that I was right, he was wrong. I had been misled to believe the head tube accepted a 1" conventional press fit headset. Turns out my frame accepts a 1 1/8" integrated. He told me it was a 40.0 mm OD "campy" style integrated headset that would work. That still leaves me lacking a specific answer as to what particular headset to buy, but I am closer than I was yesterday when I first posted. I reckon I am glad that I am not quite as stupid as I first imagined. Still, if anyone here can advise exacty which headset to buy, I would be grateful. Thanks.