Originally Posted by
aseth
The frame is a Surly Cross Check. I'm building it up as a one-speed load-bearing, errand-running, 4-season around the town and possibly light touring bike, if that makes any difference.
I agree that a CK headset is a great component but wildly overpriced and completely over the top for your purposes. It costs over 25% of the cost of your entire frame and fork! I have a CK headset on a Campy Chorus equipped Litespeed but only because it came as part of a frame/fork/headset package deal. It's been an excellent headset but I would not have paid that much as a separate purchase.
I also have a Cross Check built up as a rain/errand/utility bike and it has a Cane Creek S8 headset that has also been completely satisfactory despite continual abuse. I also have FSA Orbit headsets on two other bikes and they have been equally satisfactory. One of the FSA's has well over 20,000 miles and is still in perfect condition.