Headset and stem - Road vs. mtb
01-31-07, 09:20 PM
#1
i ride a bicycle
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,021
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Headset and stem - Road vs. mtb
I'm in the market for a 1 1/8" threadless headset, and a stem. The primary shopping criteria is "cheap". When browsing eBay and Craigslist for deals, is there any real difference between threadless headsets and stems marketed as "Road" or "Mountain"?
I sometimes find it's more trouble than it's worth to try and source stuff on eBay/CL; can someone make a recommendation for innexpensive headsets if I decide to buy new?
Thanks,
Mac
P.S. I do realize the stem needs to have the proper clamp diameter for my bars.
I sometimes find it's more trouble than it's worth to try and source stuff on eBay/CL; can someone make a recommendation for innexpensive headsets if I decide to buy new?
Thanks,
Mac
P.S. I do realize the stem needs to have the proper clamp diameter for my bars.
01-31-07, 09:47 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
The difference, as you suspected, is the handlebar clamp size.
01-31-07, 09:53 PM
#3
i ride a bicycle
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,021
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
The difference, as you suspected, is the handlebar clamp size.
Mac
01-31-07, 09:56 PM
#4
hello
With headsets, up to a certain price point, you get what you pay for so don't go too cheap there...
As far as stems, you can find bargain stems everywhere....
As far as stems, you can find bargain stems everywhere....
01-31-07, 09:57 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Raleigh NC
Posts: 1,020
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by sac02
How about headsets - Can I just use any 1 1/8" headset my little heart desires? Is it that simple? (admittedly disregarding arguments about quality)
Mac
Mac
02-01-07, 08:03 AM
#6
Your mom
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,544
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Have to agree with headset cost. I have a $10 Nashbar headset on my fixie and I cannot adjust it correctly - either too tight or too loose. I'm newly converted to the opinion that any part with bearings needs to be quality.
02-01-07, 10:27 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 387
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My gut tells me that decent mountain headsets will have better seals than the same priced road headsets, at the cost of a little more drag. I could be totally off on this however.
02-01-07, 12:40 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
Originally Posted by tellyho
Have to agree with headset cost. I have a $10 Nashbar headset on my fixie and I cannot adjust it correctly - either too tight or too loose. I'm newly converted to the opinion that any part with bearings needs to be quality.
) Nashbar 1" cartridge bearing threaded headset on my rain/beater/errand bike and, after three years and about 6000 miles of abuse and bad weather, it is still smooth and quiet and has held it's adjustment perfectly.
