Bicycle Mechanics - Best Threadless Headset for the Money?

I'm looking for a threadless headset for my bike build (KHS Flite 800 '02 road frame if that helps).
' just wondering what brand to go with. I just need something decent.
Please recommend something and where to buy it.

Thanks in advance!

Chris King.

Cane Creek's S-3. You can pick them up on eBay for less than 30 bucks, and they work great. They hold their adjustment better than headsets costing 3-4x as much.

Another vote for Cane Creek headsets. Very nice for the price.

Also had good luck with FSA headsets.

Chris King is the best headset made. Cane Creek is a better deal for the money,FSA too....

chris king

I should have titled my post better. I apologize.
Yes , I do mean a good value for the money. CK is probably the best, but I'm looking to spend <$50.
Looks like Cane Creek is what I'm looking for.

Here's some useful info:

http://www.pvdwiki.com/index.php?title=The_BEST_Headset

If I was compelled to spend over $100 on a headset, I'd still choose a Cane Creek over a King (and yes, I've used both).

You might want to check out the Torelli web site because they offer their threadless or threaded headset. I am waiting on the threaded headset but I have used (and sell) their threadless headsets. They are very nice. Actually they are Cane Creek headsets w/Torelli on them. They sell for $50 or less.

You might want to check out the Torelli web site because they offer their threadless or threaded headset. I am waiting on the threaded headset but I have used (and sell) their threadless headsets. They are very nice. Actually they are Cane Creek headsets w/Torelli on them. They sell for $50 or less.


I don't see it there. Do I need to contact them directly and ask for it?


Thanks to all for the info's!
If there's more, please keep them coming.

I'd say my King threaded headset is the best threaded headset I've had. On the threadless there can be issues with Kings on longer travel forks, attributed to the lack of a compression ring on the Kings (although even on my 160mm Van36 this has not been an issue). Haven't heard a complaint with the King and road forks, though. I'm using a Cane Creek S-3 also, it's a fine headset for the money. Mostly I run Kings, better color selection and I like being able to switch forks back and forth without switching crown races. Just make sure whatever threadless headset you use is properly lubed and adjusted and it'll work well for a long time.

Fancy headsets are overrated, IMO... beats me why there's such a market for them. Almost any crap will work fine, as long as it's adjusted right and can stay that way.

The most noticeable difference between a $10 one and a $100 one is what, 50g? And better sealing.

Proper adjustment > quality on this score, big time. A headset is one of the first things I'd skimp on.

From my "research" I gathered that Cane Creek S3 is the best value for the money. I got mine for under $40 from Universal Cycles. It has cartridge bearings and looks very well made. I've just installed it yesterday in my Kona Sutra frame. I agree with Kimmo: no reason to spend big bucks on a headset.

Adam

I saw some Chris King headsets on display at my LBS in Shanghai, labeled for about a third of what they typically sell for. Upon inquiry, they were "fake".

1. I'm a bit suprised the man told me so frankly. I look and speak Chinese, so that might have helped.
2. I didn't know they made fake Chris King headsets.
3. Please don't buy one from China or Hong Kong on Ebay. Now that I think about it, I wonder if my XT derailleur is also a fake? I doubt it, but the existance of a reproduction part for such an obscure (in China, especially for laypeople) part suggests that Shimano would be a bigger target.

Here's some useful info:

http://www.pvdwiki.com/index.php?title=The_BEST_Headset

If I was compelled to spend over $100 on a headset, I'd still choose a Cane Creek over a King (and yes, I've used both).

Yep that made an impression on me too. If you still want bling while keeping the much better compression ring design, you can always get a Cane Creek 110.

I ordered the S3. Thanks to all!

I saw some Chris King headsets on display at my LBS in Shanghai, labeled for about a third of what they typically sell for. Upon inquiry, they were "fake".

1. I'm a bit suprised the man told me so frankly. I look and speak Chinese, so that might have helped.
2. I didn't know they made fake Chris King headsets.
3. Please don't buy one from China or Hong Kong on Ebay. Now that I think about it, I wonder if my XT derailleur is also a fake? I doubt it, but the existance of a reproduction part for such an obscure (in China, especially for laypeople) part suggests that Shimano would be a bigger target.

O_O


...Maybe they just target fashion accessories : p

and I thought the fake-part market only applied to Oakley sunglasses...

Fancy headsets are overrated, IMO... beats me why there's such a market for them. Almost any crap will work fine, as long as it's adjusted right and can stay that way.

The most noticeable difference between a $10 one and a $100 one is what, 50g? And better sealing.

Proper adjustment > quality on this score, big time. A headset is one of the first things I'd skimp on.

For that matter, why duzn't anybody offer half a threadless headset---ie. the top half what's pre-loaded via the stem? The bottom half of a threaded hs works just fine, regardless.

You can get conversion kits for King headsets that allow you to switch between threaded and threadless. These are pretty much what you describe, i.e. just a new top cap assembly. They cost as much as many full headsets though.