My Bianchi Pista has an integrated headset and it's a p.o.s. What replacement headsets would you all recommend?

Check out the one made by Chris King

i did, but they don't make a 1" for integrated headsets

Campys are good so I've heard. But beware there are two different types, Campy and something else (I should think Bianchis are Campy-type, since they're Italian and all there groupsets are Campy).

I have a 2004 Pista it doesn't have a intergrated headset. What year is yours? Spec's for 2004
Components
Headset VP AheadSet, 1" threadless
Handlebar Bianchi alloy track, 26.0mm
Stem Kalloy forged, 17o drop
Brakes/Levers none
Crankset TruVativ, 48T, ISIS drive
Bottom Bracket TruVativ ISIS drive, 108mm
Chain KMC 1/2x3/32
Cassette Shimano Dura Ace, 16T fixed cog
Pedals WTB clipless, 2-sided
Wheels Bianchi hi-flange track hubs; Mavic CXP-22 32h rims
Tires Continental Sport 1000, 700x23C
Derailleurs r/f none
Shifters none
Saddle WTB Rocket V Comp
Seatpost Kalloy alloy, 27.2mm

'04, the chrome one... if that's what you have, then yours is integrated too. The top bearing of the headset is seated in the frame, where it 'flares' out.

Don't let the chrome cups in the chrome headtube fool you. It's a nice fit but the cups can be knocked out and replaced.

so it's not integrated? Can I use a regular (chris king) headset?

Simply by looking at a photo of a chromed Pista, the headset does not look integrated to me.

George

curiosity: why do you say your headset's a piece of poop?

at first mine felt cheesy, but I tightened it up and now it feels great.

maybe it's the cheap fork (my one negative about the pista). Braking on long descents feels a little sketchy sometimes...I may get a new one that's a bit stiffer.

jeff

long descents? In Chicago?

I don't think it's built for road riding. I have to tighten it before every ride. Ever since I bought it, it's been giving me trouble, and the shop I bought it from refuses to replace it because they can't replicate the problem. I understand their hesitation, because I used to be the service manager for a motorcycle dealership, but it's still very frustrating. It 'thunks' hard when I brake (which is a great way to learn not to rely on the brake), and 'pops' when I'm starting from a stop. It has also chipped and flaked the chrome around the bottom of the top cup.
I guess I'm just going to have to replace it with a Chris King headset...

hahaha

whoa that sounds completely horrible. you're right, it looks like you got a bum headset.

"long descents" is a really subjective phrase. too funny

jeff

Hmmm.......that sure sounds like a loose headset to me....

if it has chipped the chrome on the head tube around the top cup, there might be some ovalizing of your head tube going on, or the very early warning signs of impending headtube damage...if it's just the chrome flaking off the headset cup itself, then you will need to definitely replace the headset.

i'm sure you already know this, but just in case and because i haven't seen anyone else explain it, this is how you adjust a threadless headset (a better explanation can probably be found in the mechanics forum in the barnett's manuals):
loosen the stem bolts, tighten the top cap to where it feels tight, but the bearings don't bind, then tighten up the stem bolts to lock in the adjustment. make sure the stem bolts are nice and tight and you should be all set.

tange makes a fairly good 1" threadless headset. you can get them through momovelo, located in beautiful downtown berkeley...AND you'd get to talk to kai, who is really one of the raddest people in berkeley to talk bikes with.

drop me a PM when you're gonna have some free time in SF. maybe we could hang out sometime this week. i just have to know far enough in advance to plan around BART's "commute times."

I have a Cane Creek 1" threadless, fully sealed cartridge bearings, no problems so far. As I said, Campy do great headsets too.

Sorry to dredge this old post up, but I have a quick question. I'm wondering if this applies to the '05 Pistas as well, i.e. they don't have an integrated headset (just looks like it), but in fact just have an ordinary 1" threadless.

If so, is there anything you need to know when buying a threadless headset besides the diameter? I've done some reading on here and have learned that there are both JIS and ISO standards, but I'm assuming the Pista doesn't go by JIS (it's a VP AheadSet). And finally, if anybody could offer a quick recommendation for a mid-range (not cheap, but it doesn't need to be super lightweight, or pro), I would be most grateful. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer--I would try to figure this out myself, but I'm out of the country and would really like to return with a new headset.

With threadless headsets, you have the fork diameter and the crown race diameter. ISO headsets have a 26.4 crown race, and JIS have a 27.0. Your Pista is ISO.

My recommendation on a headset is to look at the Cane Creek S-2. It's a great sealed threadless headset that won't break the bank. They can be had for about $40USD.

Great. I had a hunch, but just wanted to make sure. I think I am going to try to pick up an S-2--I've actually seen quite a few endorsements on this board. Thanks for your help!