Originally Posted by bolotaur
I'm in the market for a new headset myself, so I've been seeing the same variance. Thing is, for your $125 you get sealed cartridge bearings. Neat-o.
You can get sealed cartirige bearings for $40 too. If you LBS says you need a king to get a decent sealed bearing headset they are trying to screw you over, run away.
Aheadsets work but they kind of suck There are plenty of headsets in the $40-60 range that will work about as well as a CK. That is where you should be looking unless the bike is a junker.