Originally Posted by
lostarchitect
To add one more voice, I would use the VO cartridge bearing headset. If that's too much, use the Tange. What model Trek is it? I have an '83 600 and it came with a Tange headset originally, I think.
My 84 Trek 660 came with Stronglight B10 headset, it was a really nice and real light weight headset. I put about 130,000 miles on that headset and it's still good to go, but I replaced it with a Superbe headset because I like silver better then black, but I still have the Stronglight. I'm thinking about putting the Stronglight on my Fuji Club when I change out the original steel fork for a aluminum one that I just finished polishing to a near chrome like appearance.
In reality headsets rarely fail if their properly maintained, the need for a $75 to $130 plus headset seems crazy too me. I have cheap arse Walmart bikes that are 20 years old now, left out in weather, crashed too many times to know, and the headsets are still fine; my parents have old three speed Schwinns they bought in the 50's that still have their original headsets; I've never had a headset fail. I think the Tange Levine LV1500 is more then good enough for the high mileage rider, in other words it will probably last a lifetime of normal riding.