Integrated Headset VS. Non-Integrated Headset
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: Pedal Force ZX3
Integrated Headset VS. Non-Integrated Headset
Can one installed a regular cup headset in a frame headtube that takes integrated headsets? I have a ordered mistakenly a Cane Creek that has cups and my fame accepts integrated Headsets.
#3
or tarckeemoon, depending
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,017
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From: the pesto of cities
Bikes: Davidson Impulse, Merckx Titanium AX, Bruce Gordon Rock & Road, Cross Check custom build, On-One Il Pomino, Shawver Cycles cross, Zion 737, Mercian Vincitore, Brompton S1L, Charge Juicer
Looks like it's time to return it...
...and get a new frame.
...and get a new frame.
#5
Large Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Okinawa
Bikes: 05 Giant TCR 0; 94 Le Mond Alpe d'Huez; 83 Colnago Saronni; 81 San Rensho Katana Super Export track bike, #A116-56; 97 GT Zaskar
integrated headset means that the cups for the headset are part of the frame...
supposedly lighter, but probably used to make manufauring cheaper. not able to be replaced, so if the bearings die, so does the frame.
Now, the rival system of an "internal headset" is a different matter: the cups from a headset like an Orbit (vane creek) are pushed into a recess inside the frame, and thus the whole bearing set is hidden from view which is supposedly better for wind resistance(?) and gives a wider headtube (which defeats the wind resistance idea) but gives you a stiffer fork mounting.
make sure you're not confusing integrated and internal systems.
supposedly lighter, but probably used to make manufauring cheaper. not able to be replaced, so if the bearings die, so does the frame.
Now, the rival system of an "internal headset" is a different matter: the cups from a headset like an Orbit (vane creek) are pushed into a recess inside the frame, and thus the whole bearing set is hidden from view which is supposedly better for wind resistance(?) and gives a wider headtube (which defeats the wind resistance idea) but gives you a stiffer fork mounting.
make sure you're not confusing integrated and internal systems.
#6
Have bike. Will travel.
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: -=Toronto=-
Bikes: '06 Orbea Orca, '03 Rocky Mountain Vertex 70, '05 Surly Steamroller, '06 Fetish Fixation
This is not true. Especially in the case of a sealed integrated headset, you just pop out the old bearings and pop in a new set.
In an integrated headset with lose or caged bearing (which seems unlikely): if you let the headset go to hell (meaning the bearing are left dry, or with grit inside, or adjusted incorrectly more a period of time, start to pit the cups, thus destroying them) you may well be looking at a new frame. Most "good quality" integrated headsets will be sealed for this reason.
In an integrated headset with lose or caged bearing (which seems unlikely): if you let the headset go to hell (meaning the bearing are left dry, or with grit inside, or adjusted incorrectly more a period of time, start to pit the cups, thus destroying them) you may well be looking at a new frame. Most "good quality" integrated headsets will be sealed for this reason.
#7
Quarq shill

Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Ohio
Bikes: 08 Felt F4, 05 Fuji Team SL, 08 Planet X Stealth, 10 Kona Jake the Snake, 03 Giant OCR flat bar.
integrated headset means that the cups for the headset are part of the frame...
supposedly lighter, but probably used to make manufauring cheaper. not able to be replaced, so if the bearings die, so does the frame.
make sure you're not confusing integrated and internal systems.
supposedly lighter, but probably used to make manufauring cheaper. not able to be replaced, so if the bearings die, so does the frame.
make sure you're not confusing integrated and internal systems.
No, it means they are in a cup inside the frame. They can still be removed.
And no, you cannot use them interchangeably.
See here:
https://www.chrisking.com/tech/int_he...explain_1.html
#8
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
A conventional headest has cups that press into and rest above and below the headtube.
A "hidden" or "zero stack" headset uses cups similar to conventional headset that are pressed into the inside of an oversized headtube.
An integrated headset has no cups. Angled stops are machined into the inside of the headtube and cartridge bearings with a matching angle are held in place by the preload pressure. Since they are cartridge bearings, the balls don't push directly against and can't brinnel the bearing stops.
#9
King of the Dolomites
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: At the front of the pack
Bikes: Treks and Cannondales, Willier, Giant
integrated headset means that the cups for the headset are part of the frame...
supposedly lighter, but probably used to make manufauring cheaper. not able to be replaced, so if the bearings die, so does the frame.
Now, the rival system of an "internal headset" is a different matter: the cups from a headset like an Orbit (vane creek) are pushed into a recess inside the frame, and thus the whole bearing set is hidden from view which is supposedly better for wind resistance(?) and gives a wider headtube (which defeats the wind resistance idea) but gives you a stiffer fork mounting.
make sure you're not confusing integrated and internal systems.
supposedly lighter, but probably used to make manufauring cheaper. not able to be replaced, so if the bearings die, so does the frame.
Now, the rival system of an "internal headset" is a different matter: the cups from a headset like an Orbit (vane creek) are pushed into a recess inside the frame, and thus the whole bearing set is hidden from view which is supposedly better for wind resistance(?) and gives a wider headtube (which defeats the wind resistance idea) but gives you a stiffer fork mounting.
make sure you're not confusing integrated and internal systems.
#13
Beats me. Apparently I should have thrown away my Racelight frame three times if I listen to that guy!





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