Chris King headsets
 

I have never had a high dollar headset on any of my bikes. I also have never really been riding my bike and thought, "this cheap headset is really keeping me down."

I am just curious, can someone using one tell me why I would want to spend the money?

im buying one because they are manufactured in america by a small independent environmentally friendly company that stands behind their product and offers great support.

And while we're at it, tell us why CK rolls in a price range that corresponding Campy and Dura-Ace headsets don't reach.

what evanyyc said, and it's also the last headset you'll ever need to buy.

probably because they are manufactured in america by americans who are paid a living wage.

Is Dura-Ace and Campy stuff sweat-shop made?

also, everytime this subject comes up, it turns into a flamewar.

I had no intention of people engaging in flame warfare. I really just want someone to convince me to spend more money on my bike.

sorry, i didn't mean to imply that you were.

get the headset, they're awesome, and ck is (by all accounts) a great company.

Ive had a CK headset on my last two bikes that are no longer with us R.I.P, but the headset is still spinnin strong. And If your into stuuf that looks good they come in many colors.

Dammit, I knew this was going to happen as soon as I typed it. It has been established that Campagnolo employees do not work in sweatshop conditions, so I'm sorry if I started this up again, but please regard my question only in terms of quality.

This component/pricing situation has struck me as weird for a long time. Okay, so Phil hubs cost a small fortune, but if you're looking in that price range, there's a lot of competative sexiness: old Campy, all kindsa NJS stuff. I know there must be others, but CK is the only $100 headset I'm aware of and see on a regular basis. High-end manufacturers, like the ones I mentioned, cost less. IMO, I find the CK headsets to look a bit garish on a frame. So, seriously, what's the performance difference between all these? I mean, I believe that a CK headset will last forever---but won't a well-maintained DA last forever, too?

for me, it came down to an issue of selection.

i was looking for a 1", threaded headset, preferably ball bearing, that performed well, lasted a long time, and looked nice.

the options are somewhat limited. there are a number of sub-$25 headsets that don't rotate that smoothly or freely, and then it seems to jump straight to $85 Dura Ace headsets.

at that point, it's either a matter of "i'm already spending $85, why not spend another $30", maybe you want a choice of color, grip nut option, or you just get warm and fuzzy about lining some Oregon cyclist's pockets, as opposed to a big corporation.

i own and have owned a bunch of headsets and i can say that my CK headsets feel better, need less maintenance, and last longer than your garden variety $20 Tange headset, but i can't feel the difference between higher-end headsets.

Good thoughts all round.

My take on it and I'm just assuming/deducing is that CK stuff as I've known it, was geared moreso towards the MTB market, where components are built burly and tough and needed to last.

Considering the many reviews I've read on forums, mtbr, etc, concerning the longevity of a CK headset in mtb usage (typically, a decade or more), that's impressive. Consider the abuse that a headset on a mountain bike goes through and to pay what amounts to 10 bucks a year of use for a headset is a steal.

In addition to the fair wages, American made and so on, it's a worthy product.

One of those items, you set and forget.

Chris King Headsets are to almost all other headsets as fixed gear bikes are to almost all road bikes. There is a "set it and forget it" appeal to them. 20k on two headsets ( mountain and road) and NO problems.

A buddy of mine has had 1" king for almost 10 years, He has had it in at least 5 different frames. If you take care of it it WILL last forever. All the newer cartridge design headsets are just a cheap imitation of Kings design. As my pappy used to say "quality is remembered long after price is forgotten"

also, aside from being long lasting and functional, its like fine jewelry for your ride. bling bling.

true, but if CKs are like fine jewlery, i wonder how my girlfriend will feel if i got her one for christmas?

it has pretty colors

I've trashed campy and d.a. headsets (once via bad wrenching/hard riding, once via 'deferred maintenance') I've never trashed a King. (and that's not to say I haven't tried!) Not only that, but I know that if I do manage to destroy the king, they'll make it work again at a super-generous price, regardless of the fact that it will have been entirely my fault.

There is a very short list of companies that stand behind their products unequivocally, and Chris King is near the top of that list.

Is the CK headset on a frame I'm about to sell worth keeping? I mean, the whole FRAME won't go for $100 even WITH the CK headset!

yes it is. keep it.

This is my thinking....
I'll put on a $100 headset on a nice $1000 frame, and maybe a $20 generic headset on a used $100 frame, perhaps an Ultegra headset on a Steamroller, and a Record headset on a Cinelli Olympic, for instance, headset choices basically reflecting value of framesets......although I've never been able to really tell the difference in performance among them.

You get what you pay for . . .
Chris King builds to te highest tolerances with the best materials, and yes, made in the US.
Do you want to spend $25 for a cheap headset, replace it 4 times in 10,000 miles or put in one $100 headset that will last much longer and still not need adjusting/replacing??

Chris King doesn't obsoletize parts. Did I mention they don't obsoletize parts? Shimano (notoriously) can't hold a candle to CK in this respect.

If I meet a girl that will go all goshy because I gave her a CK headset for Xmas, I 'll marry her :D