Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

good budget headsets?

Search
Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

good budget headsets?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-10-12 | 11:20 AM
  #1  
throwawayington's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio

Bikes: Soma Van Ness

good budget headsets?

I'm starting my first build that involves a threadless headset and I could use some recommendations. It's a Soma Van Ness frameset, if that makes a difference. Ideally I would like to find a good headset for $50 or less, but since I've only ever worked with old 10-speeds that use quill stems I could use some education from you guys. Thanks!
throwawayington is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 11:23 AM
  #2  
yummygooey's Avatar
i smell bacon
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,574
Likes: 1

Bikes: Geekhouse Deerfield, GT Edge Ti, Spooky Skeletor, TET Track, Ritchey P-650b, Bridgestone MB-3

Used Chris King
FSA Orbit X
Cane Creek 40
VP Comp
yummygooey is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 11:53 AM
  #3  
CliftonGK1's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,373
Likes: 8
From: Columbus, OH

Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc

I've been really happy with my Velo Orange headsets, although they're right around the top of your $50 price range. I've found the 1 1/8 threadless VO headset to be every bit as smooth and durable as my King headset over the last year of use comparing the two.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
CliftonGK1 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 12:06 PM
  #4  
AEO's Avatar
AEO
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
Likes: 5
From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON

Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin

you should be able to buy a ritchey logic V2 or comp V2 for about $20~30
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
AEO is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 12:07 PM
  #5  
caloso's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,116
From: Sacramento, California, USA

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Happy with my Cane Creek headsets. Light, inexpensive, holds the fork on the bike.
caloso is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 12:10 PM
  #6  
throwawayington's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio

Bikes: Soma Van Ness

Originally Posted by CliftonGK1
I've been really happy with my Velo Orange headsets, although they're right around the top of your $50 price range. I've found the 1 1/8 threadless VO headset to be every bit as smooth and durable as my King headset over the last year of use comparing the two.
is this the one you're talking about?
https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...s-headset.html

Last edited by throwawayington; 01-10-12 at 12:10 PM. Reason: forgot to include link
throwawayington is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 12:22 PM
  #7  
TejanoTrackie's Avatar
Veteran Racer
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,855
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas

Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels

The VO headset looks a lot like the silver Orbit X I installed on my Soma Rush.
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
TejanoTrackie is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 12:28 PM
  #8  
Fakenger
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 1

Bikes: Yo Eddy Team, Serotta Colorado II

+1 For Cane Creek. I put a S-3 on an IRO and it was very very nice. I think I paid like $30 for it from Jensonusa.com. Definitely worth checking out. They come in black and silver too.
fxdgrjedi is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 12:34 PM
  #9  
Nagrom_'s Avatar
Fixie Infamous
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,480
Likes: 28
tell you the truth, the headset isnt a part you should drop a lot of cash for... as long as its a name brand, cane creek, FSA, ritchey, er whatever, its going to last longer than the bike... headsets are hard as f*ck to ruin
Nagrom_ is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 12:40 PM
  #10  
Fakenger
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 1

Bikes: Yo Eddy Team, Serotta Colorado II

Originally Posted by Nagrom_
headsets are hard as f*ck to ruin
unless one screws up the install... Just sayin. The LBS and their wonderful headset press is your friend.
fxdgrjedi is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 12:42 PM
  #11  
Nagrom_'s Avatar
Fixie Infamous
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,480
Likes: 28
Originally Posted by fxdgrjedi
unless one screws up the install... Just sayin. The LBS and their wonderful headset press is your friend.
QFT...

they also shouldn't charge you much to install it either...
Nagrom_ is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 01:02 PM
  #12  
throwawayington's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio

Bikes: Soma Van Ness

Originally Posted by Nagrom_
QFT...

they also shouldn't charge you much to install it either...
yeah, the mechanic at my LBS has never charged me more than $5 for stuff like that and is pretty helpful with showing me what to do so I can try it on my own the next go round.
throwawayington is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 01:27 PM
  #13  
old legs
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
Cane Creek S-3 best headset for the money....
Xgecko is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 01:46 PM
  #14  
jasonnc80's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Originally Posted by Xgecko
Cane Creek S-3 best headset for the money....
Cane Creek 40 series is equiv to the S-3. Don't think they make S-3 anymore but you can still find them online just about everywhere
jasonnc80 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 01:55 PM
  #15  
TejanoTrackie's Avatar
Veteran Racer
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,855
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas

Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels

Originally Posted by jasonnc80
Cane Creek 40 series is equiv to the S-3. Don't think they make S-3 anymore but you can still find them online just about everywhere
Yeah, I picked one up on closeout for $30 about a year ago. Still haven't used it, since the cheap stock headset on my Kilo WT hasn't died yet and the Soma Rush I built recently needed 1" threadless. My Salsa Caserroll came with an S-3, and it's a very smooth and durable headset.
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
TejanoTrackie is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 02:43 PM
  #16  
old legs
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
good to know though I don't think I'll be replacing mine anytime soon
Xgecko is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 03:08 PM
  #17  
EpicSchwinn's Avatar
Just smang it.
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 1
From: Bellingham

Bikes: Felt F1X, Kilo WT, Dawes Deadeye

I love that frameset. You should post some of your progress over in the Soma/Pake Lounge
EpicSchwinn is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 03:23 PM
  #18  
TejanoTrackie's Avatar
Veteran Racer
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,855
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas

Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels

Originally Posted by EpicSchwinn
I love that frameset. You should post some of your progress over in the Soma/Pake Lounge
Er, you talking to me or someone else ? I've already posted my Rush several times in your thread. Really, the only change since then is I've slapped on a second bottle cage for longer rides. I'm happy with the setup as it is and don't plan any changes.
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
TejanoTrackie is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 03:24 PM
  #19  
EpicSchwinn's Avatar
Just smang it.
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 1
From: Bellingham

Bikes: Felt F1X, Kilo WT, Dawes Deadeye

I was talking to the OP. He said he got a Soma Van Ness.
EpicSchwinn is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 03:26 PM
  #20  
TejanoTrackie's Avatar
Veteran Racer
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,855
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas

Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels

Originally Posted by EpicSchwinn
I was talking to the OP. He said he got a Soma Van Ness.
Never mind.
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
TejanoTrackie is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 04:33 PM
  #21  
CliftonGK1's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,373
Likes: 8
From: Columbus, OH

Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc

Originally Posted by throwawayington
is this the one you're talking about?
https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...s-headset.html
Yup. I've got that one on my Cross Check that I use for commuting and LD rides, and I have the 1" threaded version on an old Trek 400.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
CliftonGK1 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 07:29 PM
  #22  
throwawayington's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio

Bikes: Soma Van Ness

Originally Posted by EpicSchwinn
I love that frameset. You should post some of your progress over in the Soma/Pake Lounge
it just arrived today and it's a beautiful, why don't more companies make lugged frames? I'll definitely post there once I get it going next week.
throwawayington is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 07:35 PM
  #23  
Santaria's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,174
Likes: 0
From: Brownsville, TX

Bikes: Surly CC

Another vote for the VO or CC40. My new Handsome has the VO and the M80 has the CC40. I've never had an issue with the 40.
Santaria is offline  
Reply
Old 01-10-12 | 08:10 PM
  #24  
max5480's Avatar
Rhythm is rhythm
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 1
From: Salt Lake City
+1 cane creek s-3 (or whatever, 40 if that's what it is now)
max5480 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-12 | 12:26 PM
  #25  
max-a-mill's Avatar
aspiring dirtbag commuter
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 0
From: philly
if you want a headset that will last a long time just look for one with a cartridge bearing in the lower cup. that is the bearing theat takes all the abuse. then if it ever gets fouled up you can just replace the bearing.

most headsets will last a long time but beware of SUPER cheap headsets. i have pitted a couple $10 tange headsets in a couple months of use.
max-a-mill is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bananabacon
Road Cycling
25
07-21-21 08:27 PM
Carbon Unit
Road Cycling
22
05-03-12 02:45 PM
kip2250
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
19
04-17-12 09:52 PM
DVC45
Bicycle Mechanics
19
03-14-10 06:47 AM
Jupe
Bicycle Mechanics
12
01-25-10 06:37 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.