I wouldn't say the hubs, cranks and headset on my swift are high grade either... but once taken apart and repacked and and adjusted they work very well. In some ways, loose bearing hubs and headsets, properly set up and maintained are smoother and easier rolling than cartridge bearings, but they do require a lot of attention. When they are no longer they can be replaced with better components but a crap frame will always be a crap frame. If the stack height on the headset is 40 mm, Velo Orange makes a cartridge Rinko headset that allows for removing the fork with no tools. Pull the wheels, take off the fork/handlebars and stem and it should pack up nicely for car trips.