Any headset recommendations?
 

I need to procure a 1 inch threaded headset for a 1983 Trek.

I'd like to find a new or NOS unit that will perform well without overspending. Any suggestions?

Is period correctness important to you?

if not, I'd go with a sealed cartridge like VO.

What is the stack height requirement? I would use a Ritchey Logic. If you need something short look for an old (88-91ish) 105

Tange would be my suggestion, you can get a decent quality headset for $10 or so new

A lot of the Tange modern stuff looks just like the old stuff, is cheap and widely available. Easily the best bang for the buck.

That said, my two favorites are an old Campagnolo aluminum model that I bought in bad cosmetic condition for about $20 and an old Tange Falcon that still looks great and came on a bike that I bought.

I also run a cheap steel Tange headset ($6) on my Bridgestone 400. It's best to replace the caged bearings with loose bearings (25 x 2). The caged bearings tend to stay at one location, which can result in "indexing" of the headset. Adjust the preload so that it is not binding across the full rotation of the fork. Excessive play will result in premature wear.

I've used the Tange Levins with good results.

http://www.amazon.com/Tange-Threaded.../dp/B000C17IW0

I'm kinda partial to the VO needle bearing headset. Since trek often used the Stronglight needle bearings around then, seems like a good match. The Tanges work well also...

My wife has an '84 610 and I have an '86 400 Elance. I just replaced the headsets in both. I put a velo orange sealed bearing one on hers. It works much better than the old one (which was a stronglight with needle bearings, but the one with the plastic cups- just not in good shape anymore). On mine, I put on a Miche Primato, which is the needle bearing headset that isn't a stronglight. Of the two, the VO looks more classic and is quite nice for the price. I'm also happy with the Miche, but it doesn't look period correct.

I like the Stronglight roller-bearing models, such as the Delta. Seem to last forever. Pretty light too.

First choice for that bike: The VO needle bearing, much like the A9 by Stronglight.
Second choice for that bike: The Tange Levin, just a finer model than the Passage.
Third choice for that bike: The Tange Passage in chrome. $10 and up to the task.

If I hadn't just bought a frame, I'd send you my Suntour.

Stronglight A9 (roller bearing) was probably the OEM headset. They've been out of production for a while, but turn up on eBay fairly often.

The Deltas were wonderful, but have beenout of production for a long time. I'd love to find a pair of English thread complete Deltas.

Tange was their favorite in 83, Tange is still in business and still making the Levin LV1500 model for about $53 on Amazon. Those headset held up nice, the other MA60 and the plain Leven were not that great but held up. Tange makes several different Levin models, they go down in price from the LV1500 I mentioned, so it depends on what you can afford...assuming you want the bike to remain factory stock looking as much as possible. The Tange LV1500 is a extremely reliable headset that could easily last 30 years.

Tange Levin, you won't get much better bang for the buck than this.

The VO needle bearing headsets are neat, I guess, but I don't see how they could be any better than a cartridge bearing unit. And in the looks department I think the cartridge unit is a clear winner.

I'm using the latter on 3 or 4 bikes and have been very pleased. It may not be a CK or Cane Creek 110, but it costs a whole lot less.

http://store.velo-orange.com/media/c...bearing-hs.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8361/8...1cafbfbc_b.jpg

I ordered one of these for my Croll, so I can finish up that build.

I look forward to trying it out.

How does the Miche roller bearing HS feel? I bought one for an upcoming build, but looking at the races, they appear to be very crudely machined/polished. I wonder how smooth it will feel and how long it will last... The price is certainly reasonable, I bought mine new for around $30, but now I'm skeptical.

I just put it on, so I don't really know yet in use or after much use. When I installed it, I did grease up the bearings and races pretty well. When I move the handlebar, it is smooth. Of course, my comparison is the original headset on the bike, which was badly indexed. Sorry I can't be of more help.

To add one more voice, I would use the VO cartridge bearing headset. If that's too much, use the Tange. What model Trek is it? I have an '83 600 and it came with a Tange headset originally, I think.

I have a 84 610 that I am rebuilding. Just put the original HS back in after cleaning and lubing with Phil Wood grease. Very smooth. It is the Stronglight A9(?) with good looking races. The only issue is the grey color from oxidation that will be address with "back to black" solution. This frame does not have any chrome on it so I thought the A9 would be ok given that the frame color will be dark green. I will assess when done with the build.

I think you are the second person stating the A9 didn't look good. Could you be more specific?

OK looked up on Velo Base. I have a B10 not an A9.

It's a 970. I think this bike came with a Campy headset. I'm building it up from the frameset with Shimano.

Although these have a beautiful mirrored finish, and the cartridge bearings are fabulous... to me they seemed like mismatched parts.

These caged bearing types are great if you need the JIS size fork crown race:
http://store.velo-orange.com/media/c.../file_2_13.jpg

I'm using a Shimano 6500 headset on another bike and it is great. Super smooth and super easy setup.

I don't understand what you're getting at.

Interesting.. How about Pics?

I'm overly critical about aesthetics. There's the nice curve of the cup, then the straight line of the tapered cone, then a spacer that seems too small, then the tapered top nut. 2 flats on the cone and 4 flats on the top nut.

It's like they were trying to get at this style, with 4 different designers working separately:
http://pbkmedia.probikekit.com/catal...1/0/101026.jpg

Oh. Well, in my pic the spacer is my own and not included with the headset. There is a thin lock, keyed washer that is included and is not the same diameter of the rest of the headset. I see you what you mean, it just doesn't bother me to the same degree, I guess.

Me? This is the best pic of the HP-6500 I have handy.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8296/7...e0bf8405_b.jpg

Is this unit a 26.4mm crown race (ISO), British thread?

I think I just read on Vintage Trek of steel racing frames (700 and above) coming with Campy Super Record, but I don't recall what year the catalog was for.

My 84 Trek 660 came with Stronglight B10 headset, it was a really nice and real light weight headset. I put about 130,000 miles on that headset and it's still good to go, but I replaced it with a Superbe headset because I like silver better then black, but I still have the Stronglight. I'm thinking about putting the Stronglight on my Fuji Club when I change out the original steel fork for a aluminum one that I just finished polishing to a near chrome like appearance.

In reality headsets rarely fail if their properly maintained, the need for a $75 to $130 plus headset seems crazy too me. I have cheap arse Walmart bikes that are 20 years old now, left out in weather, crashed too many times to know, and the headsets are still fine; my parents have old three speed Schwinns they bought in the 50's that still have their original headsets; I've never had a headset fail. I think the Tange Levine LV1500 is more then good enough for the high mileage rider, in other words it will probably last a lifetime of normal riding.