***Butch***

I need to replace the specialized mindest headset in my roubaix elite frame and am not sure what headset to use. Is the mindset a proprietary headset that needs to be replaced with one from specialized or can I simply replace it with an cane creek or campy headset? Thanks.

seriouslysilly

i just received a specialized frame with integrated system and asked a similar question a few weeks ago. i also called cane creek with the same question. Specialized uses the IS standard from what i've been told and suggested I can choose between the IS-2, IS-6, IS-8.
I didn't call FSA or other companies to confirm campatibility and didn't want to take a chance so I stuck with getting a Cane Creek. I haven't been able to mount it yet since I still have to go to the LBS and have the crown race fitted on the fork. But the sealed bearings seated in the headtube.

***Butch***

Just what I was looking for. Thanks!

***Butch***

Aggh. Just talked to my Specialized dealer and they called Specialized support. Specailized support says that you can only use the Specailized Mindset headset. Maybe I'll give Cane Creek a call and see what they have to say.

seriouslysilly

Cane creek asked me that frame I had and he stated that the frame was for the standard IS.
hope it goes well for you also

***Butch***

Thought I'd update this thread for anyone in the future:

Specailized claims that only their Mindset will work on these frames, but Cane Creek says that that's not true. If you remove the entied headset assembly in the frame so that it's just the bare frame, the Cane Creek IS-2 type headsets will work fine. It might be the case that the top cap will need to be spaced up a little, but other than that, it will work.

CaseLawZ28

What was your final result?

***Butch***

It worked fine!

Here's a step-by-step:

1. Remove bearings and everything you can by hand. You should be left with two black cup things in the head tube (they have holes in them) and a race on the fork.
2. Remove the cups from the head tube. I very carefully used a hammer and screwdriver. I know it's scary, but my standard cup pusher wouldn't work because of the way Specialized forms the headtube. The cups pop out without too much work, but if you're worried about the caveman method, take the frame to a Specialized shop and they can remove them. After the cups are out, the head tube looks like any other integrated head tube.
3. Purchase Cane Creek IS-2 headset (the other cane creek headsets will work fine, I just happened to use the IS-2).
4. Install new race on fork (the old might work, I don't know.).
5. Push bearings into head tube by hand.
6. The Specialized headset was a bit taller on top than the Cane Creek, so I had to use a 3mm spacer above the bearing, but below the top cap. The 3mm is just a regular head tube space that normally goes above the headset.
7. Your done. I've got thousands of miles on my Cane Creek headset in my Roubaix with no issues.

Replacing this headset is no different than any other headset replacement job with the exception of step 6. Good luck.

CaseLawZ28

Thanks. That's what I thought. I was confused because my headtube has a problem. The bearings are NOT coming out after 2 hours of effort. We'll see what the Specialized representative says tomorrow.