Winter Cycling - Decent headset?

Hi

I'm building up a winter bike for commuting in Ottawa, Canada. That means lots of snow, salt, ice, water, and corrosion. Most components do not last more than one or two winter seasons.

My question is, which headset is well suited for these conditions? There are expensive HS's on the market with excellent seals (cane creek 110, chris king, etc); they are designed to be a durable investment, but I'm not sure they will hold up to salt and extreme temperature fluctuations well enough to warrant the price. On the other hand, I don't want to replace a cheap HS every season. Is there a good compromise? What will hold up for at least a few years but will not break the bank?

Thanks,
Pete

Hi

I'm building up a winter bike for commuting in Ottawa, Canada. That means lots of snow, salt, ice, water, and corrosion. Most components do not last more than one or two winter seasons.

My question is, which headset is well suited for these conditions? There are expensive HS's on the market with excellent seals (cane creek 110, chris king, etc); they are designed to be a durable investment, but I'm not sure they will hold up to salt and extreme temperature fluctuations well enough to warrant the price. On the other hand, I don't want to replace a cheap HS every season. Is there a good compromise? What will hold up for at least a few years but will not break the bank?

Thanks,
Pete

Go with a Cane Creek S-2. It has sealed bearings and is cheap enough that you can ruin it and not be sad about it;)

+1 on CC S2

Thanks, I was looking at the S-8 for the stainless steel bearings but the S-2 sounds like a good option. I just need to throw some good fenders on the front. Past years I had been riding with a front fender, but one that only covered behind the suspension fork and did not protect the headtube or HS. I've ordered a rigid replacement, and that fork has mounts for full fenders.

Thanks, I was looking at the S-8 for the stainless steel bearings but the S-2 sounds like a good option. I just need to throw some good fenders on the front. Past years I had been riding with a front fender, but one that only covered behind the suspension fork and did not protect the headtube or HS. I've ordered a rigid replacement, and that fork has mounts for full fenders.

Either would do. The S-8 isn't horribly expensive compared to the S-2. Stainless steel is more resistant to salt corrosion but not impervious.

I run a suspension fork with a SKS blade in the winter time. Complete protection of the headset and it's not too heavy. Plus I still get the benefit of the fork in rutted snow pack:thumb: Here's what it looks like

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/cyccommute/IMG_0175.jpg

I run a suspension fork with a SKS blade in the winter time. Complete protection of the headset and it's not too heavy.

Interesting. How does the fender attach to the fork?

Interesting. How does the fender attach to the fork?

It uses a threaded insert that goes into the bottom of the shock. The fender slides onto the insert. Here's what the inserts look like

http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://media.rei.com/media/r/1218843.jpg&usg=AFQjCNFzfmvkPc8EdJBbJdH7BsnDs9e0Fw

The orange parts of the shock (below) slides onto the adapter

http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://media.rei.com/media/697814Prd.jpg&usg=AFQjCNEm8GyDu37rQyFHNH4wQmXVnU_9Jg

I think the one in the picture is a Planet Bike fender I tried but didn't like. I now have an SKS Shockblade. Works very well.

Good to know, thanks

Alright, in the end I went for a CC S-3. It appears well designed for keeping junk out, and though the sealed bearings aren't stainless, they're easily swapped. With a good set of fenders and the lizardskins / innertube condoms, the inexpensive (sub-$40 with shipping, from Cambria) HS should last. I'll post updates after the first big test this winter. Thanks for all your helpful comments.