greezychicken

I have to replace the integrated headset on a Specialized Langster Comp and wanted to know what headsets work with it. Does a Cane Creek IS8 work? Thanks.

Hirohsima

I called specialized and they are clueless. I have the std langster and they have a loose ball bearing setup. They are different in that they use press in cups rather than the standard integrated headset bevel.

My understanding however is that if you take out the cups there are 45 degree bevels inside the headtube and that you can shove some IS-2 (IS-8 I think is the same) bearings in there. The lip that holds the bearings are deeper inside the headtube than a frame that was meant to use internal bearings so I also understand that you will have to use a steerer spacer so the top-cap will fit properly above the headtube.

All of this is from trying to get non-existant information from the net and from Specialized themselves. I took apart my wife's Dolce Elite headset hopeing for a different set of bearings, but the only difference was that they were sealed better but were not cartridge bearings.

Specialized insists on doing their headsets differently. The only thing I was able to get from the tech from Spec is that if I want to replace my headset I would need to buy a full Mindset headset kit from my local dealer (they don't sell them on their website).

Hope this helps, I have been in search of a replacement headset for my Langster for the last 6 months and still don't have a solution.

larryl

Good luck finding a Mindset Headset. They have been out of stock for many, many months.

Tapeworm21

You can NOT replace the mindset if it's on your bike. You're kinda stuck with it. Fortunately, there really isn't much to them. You should never have to buy another mindset headset, just an overhaul. If you lose the crown race and compression cup and need another, I dunno what to tell you.