Headsets are the new hype item. The pushy salesman at the LBS will tell you that you absolutely have to have a headset. Elitists will look down their noses if you deign to ride their bike paths on a bike without a headset. But here's the dirty little secret: a headset is just wasted weight. Sure it's a little extra bling, but it's also a little extra mass - remember, "chrome don't get you home." Headsets don't make you go ANY faster! They provide no propulsive force! Next time you are out shopping for a bike, and they start going on and on about the headset, RUN don't walk away...

"What does a headset do?" NOTHING! Except feed the smugness of elitists and drag down the speed of suckers.