I am the original owner of a 2006 Specialized Tarmac Expert with the original headset (Specialized Mindset Plus, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, sealed stainless steel cartridge bearings, carbon 20mm cone with two 5mm alloy spacers).

It seems to be fine, but after 4 years and 12,000 miles should I be thinking about replacing it?

Also, being used to doing all the work on my own bike, I want to be careful who I take it to if I decide to have a new headset installed. Versus a steel frame, are the cups just as difficult to remove/install? I have visions of some shop kid whacking away at the cups on my carbon frame.

integrated usually means there are no cups pressed in the frame. the cartridge bearing is a slip fit directly in the frame and pulls out by hand. should be an easy replacement.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Lock the front brake and rock the bike back and forth. There should be no play. The fork should move from side to side with no indexing.
I have shimano sealed bearing threaded headsets on my steel bikes and every once in a while I will pull them and pop the seals and relube them. I have over 100k miles on two bikes and have replaced one bearing set.

+1

Thanks for the replies..I'm pretty fastidious about the headset adjustment..so no play.
Looks like the bearing replacement is something I can easily handle. I'll look at an online manual..

At this point..I think the headsets good to go.

If you keep it correctly adjusted, it should last a very long time, particularly since it's larger than traditional headsets which can last ages.

The cartridge bearings are probably less sensitive to insufficient preload, too.

Why would you want to replace a bearing that isn't showing any problems? Headsets wear out over time, and there's no danger or negative consequences to waiting until there's a problem, such as indexing, or unsmooth steering.

If the cartridges aren't sealed you might flush them clean and regrease from time to time to extend their life. Also if they're identical you can switch top for bottom since the bottom gets 90% of the wear.

Otherwise enjoy something that works, and don't replace it until it doesn't anymore.

I'm not familiar with these new-fangled integrated headsets, but it occurs to me that if you just have a cartridge bearing sitting in a recess in the head tube, a loose headset could cause frame damage.

Is this correct?