mb158127

Asking for my touring build. I’m looking for a 1” threaded headset with a sealed cartridge, in black. I need to use a cable hanger, and I don’t want to cut my tube.

Im surprisingly having trouble finding anything meeting the above criteria. There’s no Chris King 2nut around anymore; Velo Orange grand cru is sold out; cane creek has nothing.

I did come across this, but I’m hesitant to spend 90$ on something I never heard of...
https://www.dedhambike.com/product/i...YaAvvnEALw_wcB

can anyone suggest a reliable brand/model which is still available today?

if anyone has something NIB/unused to sell I’m interested as well. Especially a CK 2nut black.

noobinsf 

Tange Levin is a good one, but not sealed bearing. Nevertheless, it's excellent, reliable, and cheap: https://www.benscycle.com/tange-seik...oaAlIdEALw_wcB

There is also the Stronglight A9, which has sealed bearings, also excellent: https://custom-junkies.com/stronglig...-headset-black

For the record, Interloc (AKA "IRD") is supposed to make good stuff as well, but I've never used any of their components.

EDIT: You probably already know this, but just in case... Make sure you know whether your crown race interior diameter needs to be 26.4 or 27.0, as you'll need a compatible headset. The Tange can be found with either, and I believe the Stronglight as well. No idea about the IRD, but the one you posted is a 26.4.

tgot 

Any idea what a Centurion Pro Tour 15 would need?
Or, would I need to disassemble and measure?

My headset is a little rough.

Thanks!

oneclick 

*always* measure.

Sluggo

I can recommend the IRD roller bearing heaset, but I have not used their sealed bearing headset.
IRD headsets are made by Tange. Roller bearing models are silver only, but the sealed version is available in black. 26.4 only.

JohnDThompson 

Also be sure to measure the stack height of the current headset before ordering a replacement. The replacement must have the same or lower stack height in order to work (any difference can be made up with spacers, but if it's too tall the locknut won't engage securely with the steer tube). As noted, Tange Levin is an affordable, quality unit with low stack, but isn't sealed. Headsets with aluminum cups tend to be taller than those with steel cups.

Chombi1 

Regarding the newer Stronglight A9 with cartridge bearings. You might also consider finding and using the older style A9 headset with the needle bearings, instead of the newer one with cartridge bearing, as there's a big possibility that the older version of the headset could actually last much longer than the newer one (or most other cartridge bearing headsets), as already proven by many riders for many years, since Stronglight first issued the headset in the early 80's. This is because the needle (roller) bearings spreads the loads in the headset much better than ball bearings which the cartridge bearings in the later A9s.
The old needle bearing A9s were pretty much "install/adjust once after bedding in and forget". Only requiring the most minimal, occasional cleaning and lubricating maintenance, with most staying in perfect adjustment and working smoothly and close to zero wear for many years and miles.
Why Stronglight even replaced their pretty much, signature needle bearing design with cartridge bearings on the A9 is really puzzling.. Maybe they just changed the A9's design because "sealed cartridge bearing" spec is much more marketable these days??