Originally Posted by
Danny01
I never understood the expensive headsets. A $40 Cane Creek and a $150 CK feel no different when on a ride. For those who say I'll keep this bike for 25 years, and the $150 headset will end up saving me money, here's the other side of the argument: Let's say you have to swap out a $40 headset 4x during that same amount of time, costing you ~$160. Great! you saved $10 and enjoyed having some jewelry on your bike. Not so fast.
Your analysis is flawed. First, one would be extraordinarily lucky to only go through 4 CC40s in the lifespan of a CK. Second, you've ignored the labor involved in repeatedly replacing the CC40. My time isn't free, nor is the time of the mechanic at a local LBS. Figure an extra $25 per CC40, in 2017 dollars. Combined with a more realistic estimate of the relative lifespans, and the CK is looking like a better value all the time. :-)
Further, any extra expense associated with the time value of money is more than justified by the enhanced user experience associated with better quality kit.
Originally Posted by
Danny01
But this is a hobby. There is no need for justification.
For you, perhaps. For me, a bicycle is simply a practical means of transportation. If I don't need to get to point B from Point A, I'm unlikely to get on a bike.
I tend to agree with Dan, over at RodBikes.com. A month of daily utility and commuting is equivalent to a year of fair weather recreational riding, with respect to wear and tear on a bike. The Chris King headset was specifically designed for the use cases that chew up and spit out lesser headsets (e.g., fully-loaded touring). Perhaps your bike gets babied to the extent that heavy-duty components aren't justified. Mine does not.