integrated headset advantages?
 

slightly more aero I guess. stiffer? how are they to service?

My first integrated headset frame was a Litespeed Sienna frame. It will be my last integrated headset. The headset would not stay tight even after one ride on a smooth bike path. The frame went back to litespeed several times and they eventually gave me a new frame because it was so bad. It too was an integrated headset so I sold it as a new frame never used. I bought a different make frame with a standard headset and have not had a problem since. I recently noticed most if not all of Litespeeds new frames are non-integrated headsets. Maybe they had more problems tha just mine, I don't know?

I also have a 2002 (I think) Giant TCR with an integrated headset and have not had any problems at all, so who knows. I highly doubt anyone on this forum would benefit from any aerodynamic difference of integrated vs. non-integrated.

#1 reason: cheaper.

don't the new cannondale system 6's have an integrated headset? Anybody have thoughts about that?

No. The integrated headtube construction is far more expensive.

My IS is working flawlessly. They save weight.

How would they be more aero? They require a larger diameter headtube than non-integrated, thus larger surface area and more drag.

Of course, the difference would be almost too small to measure.

Integrated headsets save weight. But the weight they save is minimal. The problem is if you gak up the integrated part of the headset you need a new frame. Not a good trade in my book.

I think integrated headsets will fade away in the next few years.

Actually, they weigh more in the long run because they require a heavier headtube and fork, according to Chris King.

http://chrisking.com/pdfs/Int%20Head...0Explained.pdf

Chris King, seller of headsets.

Good IHSs will last a long time while properly adjusted, as long as traditional headsets.

They did. My Siena started creaking and I discovered that the bearing cups had come loose in the frame. They "fixed" it under warranty but I sent it back and insisted they weld on a standard head tube... which they did at no charge (not even for shipping). Now I'm running a King headset and haven't had a single issue since.

Traditional headset > Integrated headset

How can you say that when a lot of us are still running headsets that were made before IHS even existed?

No advantages,They're a nightmare.Traditional or semi-Integrated are much easier servicable.
I've bought two bikes with these before,and within a year they were completely wrecked
Some pionts on why I don't like them

1) They scrape the inside of the frame on installation/uninstallation
2) Need special tools to get them out
3) The bottom bearing usually wears out quick,because there is no protection
4) You have to take the whole thing out to check the condition.

Cannondale's used them since the CAAD5. Integrated headsets were the change from the 4 to the 5.

I've got one that's five years old, it's been sweated on in a trainer, been rained on, been ridden for about 38,000 miles and I've never touched it other than to take it apart and regrease it.

Had another I got with a CAAD7 frame and I moved it to two other frames, sold it, and it's still being ridden.

That does not make it better. I've just never had the issues I read about, nor have I had anyone I know who rides these bikes have these issues.

With all due respect to King, they lost a heckuva lot of potential customers when Cannondale went integrated with the CAAD5, so I'd probably be saying the same things if I was them.

Why Cannondale figured it out and Litespeed didn't, who knows? Maybe because they worked with FSA to build one that's only for them and they made the investment to do it right? Since that's all they make (same with the System Six bb's now, although you can get an adapter to keep the Six standard), they have to get it right.

Campy makes an integrated headset for Cannondale, too, called the Hiddenset.

wow, seeing this post has me a bit on the edge.
i just received a specialized frame with the integrated headset. I also ordered a new integrated fork and headset.
This is my first experience with integrated system (not that i have much experience with bicycles anyway) and has me a bit concerned about swapping from my current traditional bike to this one.

I sure hope I don't come across the same probs as mentioned above.
that said, how about experiences with Specialized integrated systems?

Chris King, who seems to know his stuff.
An IH should be cheaper to make as the tolerances on the headtube are not as tight. Aero and such is negligable. IMHO it's like other integrated parts. It works (well, sort of) so long as you don't want to change anything. I don't believe that people's problems with loosening headsets are related to cheap compression plugs and such. I don't really inderstand how an IH cann loosen the clamp above it unless the entire system is poorly machined and can slide.

I don't like integrated headsets. However, I like using integrated forks with standard headsets, solely for aesthetic reasons.

The biggest problem with integrated headsets is probably going to be sourcing replacement parts. Whilst many wealthier racers get a new bike every year, there are many riders who use the same bike for years if not decades. The supply of traditional, low stack threaded headsets is becoming limitted and these were ubiquitous 15 years ago.

Hundreds of thousands of bikes with integrated headsets are slod every year, and the vast majority of them have absolutely no problem. I wouldn't sweat it.