Originally Posted by
striknein
I like cartridge bearings and a split crown race. Beyond that the only real difference between them are stack height and what color you want, and stack height's basically irrelevant if you're building from brand new parts.
This. I wish I could still find the headset I installed in my Kona in March '12, the Cane Creek Tank Jump. It's heavy as hell, but incredibly durable and smooth.
Given my size, I will never again use a headset that contains loose ball/caged ball bearings...cartridge only. I've destroyed too many parts just COMMUTING.