Originally Posted by
JohnDThompson
If you're looking for a durable headset, get one with roller bearings in the lower race rather than balls, e.g.:
Roller Drive Threaded Headset ? Interloc Racing Design / IRD
Riding with a loose threaded headset likely won't damage the
frame, but it can damage the fork, as the threaded cup can erode the threads on the steer tube if the headset isn't properly adjusted.
While roller bearings have their advantages, primarily the ability to take higher loads, this is irrelevant for headset bearing durability. It's the fore-aft micro movements that destroy the bearings (OK, mud and water as well, for the lower one, especially if not using mudguards).
For handling fore-aft vibration movement, these bearings are worse than angular contact ball bearings.
They can help those with high speed bar shimmy problem - since they provide a bit more drag (and hence rotation damping). But for durability, I wouldn't bet on these over good quality angular contact ball bearings.
My 2c on
bicycle bearing types.
Adjusting threadless headset preload.