Why are Headsets SO EXPENSIVE!
04-06-10, 11:34 AM
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Why are Headsets SO EXPENSIVE!
The headset on my project bike needs to be replaced after 25 years of service...thats what my mechanic said. so now im looking for a 1" threaded headset preferably vintage shimano 105.
so i went to the net and found a couple...but i only find 49.99 tags ond NOS shimano 105 headsets! and excuse me, that sounds ridiculous for an old ass part!
i was hoping 20.00! can anyone explain this to me**********
ARHHHGGGGGG
so i went to the net and found a couple...but i only find 49.99 tags ond NOS shimano 105 headsets! and excuse me, that sounds ridiculous for an old ass part!
i was hoping 20.00! can anyone explain this to me**********ARHHHGGGGGG
04-06-10, 11:40 AM
#2
sultan of schwinn
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Everything NOS mid-high end will be expensive. You can find some modern alternatives or some older NOS Tange headsets at the $10-15 range and the weight difference from 105 is not that much.
04-06-10, 11:54 AM
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Thrifty Bill
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+1 NOS is usually over priced. Anything wrong with a good used one?
04-06-10, 12:00 PM
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non good sir...
well i found some threaded 105 for 40.00 and they seem a lot newer...im using 1055 105 group and the ones im refering too are 5500 105...
well i found some threaded 105 for 40.00 and they seem a lot newer...im using 1055 105 group and the ones im refering too are 5500 105...
04-06-10, 12:01 PM
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Risk of pitted races.
My wish list includes a fork crown race for a Super Record early 80's vintage.
My wish list includes a fork crown race for a Super Record early 80's vintage.
04-06-10, 12:12 PM
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I just got a new Tange Levin for something like $25 from my LBS. The quality is nice, and the Phil Wood grease I used made it A+++.
04-06-10, 12:25 PM
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When a headset, or any of the other bearing races spend many years out of adjustment and ill maintained the bearing surfaces get roughed up and prevent smooth operation. +1 to the Tange products, they are affordable and pretty nice. I got a new alloy tange passage for $20.00 and have no regrets about it.
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04-06-10, 12:54 PM
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04-06-10, 01:06 PM
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+another for Tange. Like Kevinsubaru, I also paid around 25 bux for a Tange Levin from my LBS...It gets the job done as well as any other I've got.
04-06-10, 01:12 PM
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Another trick to keep using your existing headset is to replace the caged bearings on your current headset with loose ones.
04-06-10, 02:01 PM
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I have a YST on a Trek and it seems to be working just fine. AL/steel, ~110g, and was <$15 shipped new from an ebay seller.
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04-06-10, 04:03 PM
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Put "threaded headset" in Amazon's search egine and find them starting at about $5.00. Tange starting at about $15.00
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04-06-10, 04:08 PM
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I have used a couple of those YST headsets as well, right around $10 each for low end flips. I also have used a couple of Tanges and Ritcheys. On a keeper, I would go with the Tange or Ritchey.
Last edited by wrk101; 04-06-10 at 05:03 PM.
04-06-10, 04:16 PM
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I'd would NOT spend the money on a Shimano 105 or 600 ball bearing headset......or any mid-level ball bearing headset for that matter. In my opinion they dont last any longer or perform any better than a $20 entry level piece with plastic seals. I realize theses aren't 'vintage style' but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
I'd go with:
Entry level: Tange or Ritchey for $20. The Ritchey is a low stack height so it'll work on anything.
Mid level: A Shimano cartridge style for ~$50
High end: Chris King, Campy Record or Dura Ace.
I'd go with:
Entry level: Tange or Ritchey for $20. The Ritchey is a low stack height so it'll work on anything.
Mid level: A Shimano cartridge style for ~$50
High end: Chris King, Campy Record or Dura Ace.
Last edited by miamijim; 04-06-10 at 06:14 PM.
04-06-10, 06:12 PM
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The headset on my project bike needs to be replaced after 25 years of service...thats what my mechanic said. so now im looking for a 1" threaded headset preferably vintage shimano 105.
so i went to the net and found a couple...but i only find 49.99 tags ond NOS shimano 105 headsets! and excuse me, that sounds ridiculous for an old ass part! i was hoping 20.00! can anyone explain this to me**********
ARHHHGGGGGG
so i went to the net and found a couple...but i only find 49.99 tags ond NOS shimano 105 headsets! and excuse me, that sounds ridiculous for an old ass part!
i was hoping 20.00! can anyone explain this to me**********ARHHHGGGGGG
Not that there's anything wrong with Shimano or the 105's, it's just that reasonably priced replacements do exist on the market that will be perfectly functional.
04-06-10, 06:13 PM
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04-06-10, 11:34 PM
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Mild to wild, $13 to $110:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/h...eaded-iso.html
In my experience, cheap steel headsets, if kept properly adjusted, will last forever.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/h...eaded-iso.html
In my experience, cheap steel headsets, if kept properly adjusted, will last forever.
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04-06-10, 11:52 PM
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+1 - put one in my sister's bike this winter and it worked great. Paid $25.
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04-07-10, 02:29 AM
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Just be sure the stack height matches or less and you're fine using a reasonably priced replacement Tange.
Not necessary to pay a premium for a Shimano one.
Not necessary to pay a premium for a Shimano one.
04-07-10, 05:31 AM
#25
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Just avoid the Origin 8 with alloy cups. I got one of those on a frame I bought a while back. As nice as it seemed, even perfectly adjusted
it would make hammering noises like it was loose. This was on anything bigger than a pebble.,,,,BD
Mine was like this, only silver. Pretty, but meh...
https://www.origin-8.com/product_deta...d&cl1=HEADSETS
The bottom two are pretty reasonable. The Grand Cru is perty though?
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/h...eaded-iso.html
it would make hammering noises like it was loose. This was on anything bigger than a pebble.,,,,BD
Mine was like this, only silver. Pretty, but meh...
https://www.origin-8.com/product_deta...d&cl1=HEADSETS
The bottom two are pretty reasonable. The Grand Cru is perty though?
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/h...eaded-iso.html
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