Originally Posted by sbarner

This is an old thread, I know, but there are a few issues with this headset that are worth pointing out. While the cartridge bearing design is likely superior to the standard cup and cone designs of the other threaded headsets mentioned here, I've found that the Origin 8 does not have the greatest fit between the parts, and tends to have play even with the assembly overtightened. I do not believe this is due to incorrect facing on the frame and fork. The second problem is that the bearings are not actually sealed, even though the descriptions claim they are. The upper bearing is fairly well shielded by the top nut. Though popular, the upper inserted cup headset design is by its nature inferior to the older, inserted cone design, though the Origin 8 does take the standard precautions to try to keep the elements out. The lower race is a different story. There's no shield at all and there's a very large gap that would allow road grime to be thrown into the headset on a non-fendered bike. There is no contact seal on the inserted bearing to protect it. I wouldn't recommend using this headset on a bike without fenders and it wouldn't be a bad idea to carefully cut a shield out of a plastic container to place between the lower headset cup and the crown race. This is a cheap headset and it looks like it was designed to be no more than that.