So the Orbit Headset on the IRO Website... Does anyone have anything good/bad to say about it? I'm either getting that one, or Aheadset STS, or FSA "the pig." is one better than the others, or are they all the same?

on a similar note, the IRO Bottom Bracket. I can get that one, or i can get a Miche Primato Track BB.
help?

are you going to be using miche cranks?

not unless i can find them somewhere for cheaper than the IRO set.

hrmm not likely

I have an Orbit on my Mark V and it's worked well with both forks I've thrown on it. It's no King, but for the money it's a good deal.

the orbit headset that came with my old mark v was pretty poorly made, as was an orbit is integrated headset that i just received. check out cane creek's headsets, quality stuff.

The Pig will last about six months. Then it develops hideous creak and bearings fall apart. In general, FSAs are not too good, if you do riding in wet/cold.

WTB Grease Guard, now there is a good budget headset.

the fsa pig I have on my surly instigator has survived the blue trail, 3 foot drops, and other such things for around 3 or 4 years now. the fsa orbit that was on the fuji track I picked up was crunchier than dry rice crispies within a month of light riding. could have been poorly maintained from the previous owner...

The Pig and the Orbit XL II/UF are a lot wider in the bottom cup (the Pig moreso) than the standard Orbit. So if your front is pretty tight, or run a front brake, there might be some rubbing. Other than that, the Pig has a pretty tall stack height. I think the Orbits are all about the same.

The only reason to choose anything other than the standard Orbit headset would be if you wanted the angular-contact bearings. Especially if it's going to be on a road/track bike.

i have the pig on my bmx and it's nice

The FSA and Cane Creek are made by the same manufacturer RH Industries. You have to look at features . the Orbit uses caged 5/32nd ball bearings. the Cane creek uses sealed cartridge bearings Some of the FSA Pig headsets are not even sealed so you have to keep them packed in grease, and service the grease regularly or they will give you very short service life. If your rough on headsets then get the sealed cartridge type you can replace bearings easily. The Cane creek S-2 and S-3 are cheap and well sealed both under $30 on Ebay. Sometimes online shops have them pretty cheap. Jensonusa has the S-3 for $30 on sale right now, Nashbar has Several on sale now with free shipping.

The Pig seems like total overkill for a street bike, unless you're planning on jumping the **** out of it.

but a chris king isn't overkill?

exactly.... I was going to splooge on one for my new carbon/aluminum setup but could not bring myself to do it.. I would rather save $90 or so and get something less unnecessary.

On a bmx setup = the schtuffffff

It's a different kind of overkill.

Now, a chris king steelset would be the same kind of overkill.

FSA headsets have TH Industries bearings. Tien Hsin Industries owns Full Speed Ahead. TH Industries does a lot of outsourced manufacturing, OEM and otherwise. Cane Creek does very little outsourcing, but I beleive their low end headsets are. The higher end headsets are made and manufactured in the US, but the bearings are outsourced. Hell, even Phil Wood outsources bearings.

I seriously love the knowledge arguments on here, it's like learning something from watching the o'riely factor...

I have an orbit X. It looks slick like a king and has sealed bearing but is about 1/2 the price. I say it pretty much rules. I don't care to comment on any other brands 'cause I don't know.

I want to lick your tongue

Cane Creek makes the best non-king threadless headsets out there. Gospel.

Opps thats a typo I meant TH not RH. But anyway FSA has a Download called the Headset Book and it shows exactly what TH Industries makes. One headset, Orbit extreme Cartridge, is the exact same as the Cane Creek S-3. also most of the Aheadset units. Cane Creek was started by Dia Compe in the 70s and in my opinion they make excellent products I have owned several of their headsets and a thud buster. Top notch! I just ordered an S-3 for my IRO group buy.

i hated the split crown race on my fsa orbit headset.

i could never get the thing REALLY tight and i think that was the cause...

btw, i am a cheap bastard and after destroying too many headsets i am finally coming around to the fact that chris king headsets are money well spent if you ride a lot.

oh baby!

I am putting a black Syncros steel headset on my CrossCheck. And a Race Face Atlas seatpost. And fully inted to use that ridiculously thick Wipperman BMX chain. Sometimes overkill is good, y´know?