Needle bearing headsets
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What are my choices and do you have any particular recommendations. Ideally I'd prefer steel cups.
And please, no "buy a King" comments.
And please, no "buy a King" comments.
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You didn't mention the size. I've used an FSA 1" Orbit UF with good results and it was still running smoothly when I sold the bike so I'd try another one if the opportunity came up again. It's only about 1/3 the cost of a King.
#4
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Originally Posted by dooley
What are my choices and do you have any particular recommendations. Ideally I'd prefer steel cups.
And please, no "buy a King" comments.
And please, no "buy a King" comments.
Tim
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I've got an FSA orbit on my MTB. It has been great, no complaints. I've had it for 3 or 4 years.
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The Stronglight O Light comes in 1 1/8" and has sealed needle bearings. You can find them for about $70.00 US.
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Originally Posted by darkmother
I've got an FSA orbit on my MTB. It has been great, no complaints. I've had it for 3 or 4 years.
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Originally Posted by cs1
Just out of curiousity, why don't you want to buy a Chris King?
Tim
Tim
#10
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Originally Posted by dooley
Because I don't like the design and they don't use needle bearings.
Tim
#11
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Dooley:
Did you ever find the needle bearing headset? I scoured around and can't really find any. Stronglight still makes one but no one seems to carry it. Let me know.
Tim
Did you ever find the needle bearing headset? I scoured around and can't really find any. Stronglight still makes one but no one seems to carry it. Let me know.
Tim
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For MTB, the FSA Pig Pro is just about the defacto standard for hardcore use. For road, I'd look at the Torelli. It's a high quality headset, looks good, and he offers the replacement bearings at a very reasonable price.
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Not found one yet, but that Torelli one does look nice.
I'm having doubts about whether needle bearings are best for a bike like mine, it worked awesomely on my BMX but then the steerer tube on that doesn't flex at all.
This is the only steel needle bearing one I've found, but it has zero sealing... https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...id_headset.jpg
I'm having doubts about whether needle bearings are best for a bike like mine, it worked awesomely on my BMX but then the steerer tube on that doesn't flex at all.
This is the only steel needle bearing one I've found, but it has zero sealing... https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...id_headset.jpg
Last edited by dooley; 06-07-05 at 03:44 PM.
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Originally Posted by dooley
Because I don't like the design and they don't use needle bearings.
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I know some of the Shimano headsets used to use needle bearings... i want to say the old Dura Ace or Ultegra did... not sure if they still do but its something to check into.
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I was just reading something this morning about a headset that uses roller bearings in the lower for strength and balls in the upper for stability. Sounds like a good arrangement but I cannot remember which one it is or where I saw it; that's what I get for hitting the 'net before my first cup of coffee...
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Originally Posted by seely
I know some of the Shimano headsets used to use needle bearings... i want to say the old Dura Ace or Ultegra did... not sure if they still do but its something to check into.
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Originally Posted by seely
I know some of the Shimano headsets used to use needle bearings... i want to say the old Dura Ace or Ultegra did... not sure if they still do but its something to check into.
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xxcycle in France carries Stronglight headsets. They ship to the US and EU and are affordably priced in both Euro and USD. I've ordered from them before without incident. Harris cyclery carries a more limited selection of Stronglight headsets.
As far as whether needle or balls are better for headsets is concerned, needles don't index, balls do. The other nice feature of Stronglights is that the bearing races are replaceable without removing any press-fit parts.
https://www.xxcycle.com/cgi-bin/shop....36&MARQUEID=31
As far as whether needle or balls are better for headsets is concerned, needles don't index, balls do. The other nice feature of Stronglights is that the bearing races are replaceable without removing any press-fit parts.
https://www.xxcycle.com/cgi-bin/shop....36&MARQUEID=31
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Originally Posted by dooley
Not found one yet, but that Torelli one does look nice.
I'm having doubts about whether needle bearings are best for a bike like mine, it worked awesomely on my BMX but then the steerer tube on that doesn't flex at all.
This is the only steel needle bearing one I've found, but it has zero sealing... https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...id_headset.jpg
I'm having doubts about whether needle bearings are best for a bike like mine, it worked awesomely on my BMX but then the steerer tube on that doesn't flex at all.
This is the only steel needle bearing one I've found, but it has zero sealing... https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...id_headset.jpg
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Originally Posted by Expatriate
What kind of bike is this for?
I've gone and bought a King Steelset now, oh well....
Last edited by dooley; 06-08-05 at 11:52 AM.
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Originally Posted by dooley
BMX.
I've gone and bought a King Steelset now, oh well....
I've gone and bought a King Steelset now, oh well....
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#24
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Originally Posted by dooley
What are my choices and do you have any particular recommendations. Ideally I'd prefer steel cups.
And please, no "buy a King" comments.
And please, no "buy a King" comments.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...166807547&rd=1
Interchangable with Stronglight.
Tim
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Originally Posted by rmfnla
I was just reading something this morning about a headset that uses roller bearings in the lower for strength and balls in the upper for stability. Sounds like a good arrangement but I cannot remember which one it is or where I saw it; that's what I get for hitting the 'net before my first cup of coffee...
Speaking of that, is there any compelling reason to not swap headset upper/lowers?