MrBoffin

Hi,

I've been lurking for some time.

I have a two years old Brompton M6R that I ride every working day. Not a huge distance at the moment due to a back injury but it is still ridden often.

Just recently I have noticed a creak that sounds as though it is emanating from the headset. I had the bike serviced but it is still there.

Rather than faff about, I thought I would just replace the whole headset, crown race etc. The Brompton headset is of course one option but it is a bit on the cheesy side. I would rather just do this once so I am looking for alternative offerings that fit.

What have other headsets have Brompton here tried? Any gotchas?

Thanks,

Mark

tudorowen1

Headset should last years..Just check it ..maybe just needs regreasing or tightening up..

leoho5

Tange Falcon 1 1/8"

MrBoffin

I agree. Hence my disappointment.

fietsbob

Look for another 1 1/8" threaded headset with a similar combined stack height.

maybe Chris King. (I dont know the dimensions , they do)

they, Brompton, used an aluminum headset with steel races when you bought the version with the Titanium component parts..



Headsets that are allowed to get loose and continue to be used get damaged , this doesn't happen if they stay in adjustment.


It's the acceleration across the gap , banging parts together that does it.

questionesse

Just to confirm - I've read that the Chris King 2Nut AND Grip Nut should fit - is that correct?
Should any of the two be a preferred choice?
Anyone got the weight of the two?

As far as I see (apart from the Tange one that dinokiddo sells) they're the only GOLD options, aren't they?

thx!

12boy

I have a Chris King Gripnut on my Brompton which has been there for 1000s of miles and to which I've never given a thought after it was installed. I, too, was irked by creaky headset noises, although I have noticed with Bromptons they seem to transmit noises in a weird way, so I am never sure at first if my BB,pedals or suspension elastomer are creaking, or perhaps my leather saddle. the Chris King works perfectly. they come in a variety of anodized colors and have a Ti version too. The aluminum ones are around 150.00. Check with your shop and see if a Velo Orange 1 1/8 will fit, or perhaps check with VO itself. They are 1/3 that price. I have used 3 of those, one in 1" for a Fuji Track and Husjak , and 1 in 1/18 for a Surly steamroller. They have have given me 0 problems as well. I think they weigh 112 grams. Sealed bearing BBs, headsets and wheels save so much grief in the long run.

blakcloud

Thanks 12boy for the information on the Chris King. I don't need one yet but that is what when I do and now I know the stack height is right for a Brompton.

bike.gang.uk

RIDEA and Joseph Kuosac also supply brompton heassets. RIDEA has gold color option.

fietsbob

I have a CK Grip nut as Part of My Bike friday Pocket Llama..

the BF company gets a different top part since the steerer tube passes thru it and another piece is clamped on
for More steering Mast support .

Brompton HS uses the 2_36mm wrench ends , the CK uses the 2_40 MM ends ..

questionesse

So you're saying CK won't fit a brompton?

keyven

I'm using the Tange - Chris King might be overkill.

fietsbob

Not blindly , you measured the available Stack height available on the fork steerer 1st hand?

12boy

As said above, A CK will fit because I have been using one for several years. Once installed it can be pretty much forgotten.

questionesse

That's the space between the frame and the stem?

bmac.to

Th CK does fit - but I wouldnt choose the 2Nut CK headset as I suspect you will under the recommended steering tube height. The GripNut works on a shorter tube than the 2Nut - when I installed my GripNut, the steering tube protruded enough to meet the requirements in the CK documentation.

fietsbob

Bike headset Stack Height , just 1 item from Googling


https://www.google.com/search?q=Bike...Qgu3vsd9x-M%3A

https://s4.photobucket.com/user/recip...eight.jpg.html

asked here before https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...t-options.html

# 11 is where the picture with dimensions to measure is posted.






'/,

LePatron

I've been through the Tange light wight head set but could never get the proper adjustment with it. I now have a Chris King Grip Nut and highly recommend going with this option if you want to replace the OEM steel unit. It comes in at about 30 g heavier and is a bit more expensive than the Tange but it's of top quality and the inner collar design makes it more adaptable to short fork steerers.
BTW: With both the Tange and the CK headsets you'll have to trim the plastic spacer for the handlebar catch to avoid rubbing the lower cup.

queenillasng

Googled and found this: Ridea Headset: at ohmybike

Looks light and quite strong.

Not sure do you still need it or not.

badmother

This is not a forum to sell bikeparts. Stopp this nonsens!

CHenry

The issue is finding better-quality 1.125 inch threaded headsets. The Brompton ones are cheap, not sealed bearings. If you buy the ultralight Ti bike option, they use an alloy-bodied headset, otherwise, it is steel.

Chris King (USA) makes the 2-Nut and Grip-Nut headsets, they are very nice and have different colors for matching/contrasting the paint finish. They are made in aluminum alloy and other metals. I understand Hope (UK) offers similar choices.

Online, (eBay) Joseph Kuosac is a brand that has very nice and reasonably-priced alloy headsets in a black finish. Tange headsets are also similar and available online.