This question could be construed as being more appropriate for a tech board…but since I don’t know of any tri tech boards this is gonna have to do. Bought a frame for my wife that has an integrated headtube and I’m curious as to which make/model of heads et is considered the best. Trying to convince me to go another route is a bit moot since I have both the frame and now an integrated fork as well. Not looking to get flamed because of the choice (deal was too good to pass up) just looking for what people are using that works. I think newer Cervelos come with integrated headtubes…what brand of headset are they using? Thanks in advance for any tips.
I may be wrong on this but I thought there were some set standards by headset manufactures such that if you have the “IS” standard, you need a Cane Creek headset. The headset is maufactured to very specific and tight specs for that manufacturers design. See http://www.canecreek.com/site/product/headset/02_is2.html
I am sure there are others out there more knowledgeable than I so please pipe in. I also bought a new frame with an integrated headset. I must say I was pretty surprized when installing the headset…my reply was “is this all there is”. I feel a little better since it is a titanium frame with lifetime warranty (QR bike made by litespeed). My LBS says just make sure everything stays tight and don’t worry about it. So I don’t. I have a Cane Creek headset since my bike spec’d for that. So far everything seems fine. Good luck.
I vote for Cane Creek. They are at least all right. I have had several, I never have a problem. Neither do our customers as long as everything was assembled correctly. It isn’t rocket science.
I don;t think its necessary to be the least bit defensive about owning an integrated headset. I prefer them. They require less service and are extremely durable.
People are funny, they say, “Those suck- you can’t service or replace them…” Well, even that was entirely true (which it isn’t) you DON’T HAVE TO service and replace them, becasue they are integrated and seem to wear better and maintain their adjustment. DUH!!! That’s how it works!
A fish can’t sing songs, but it doesn’t need to. Now, if we could just get rid of these damn 31.8mm handlebars and stems…
There are several insert diameters for integrated headsets. 41.4mm, 41.8mm 42mm. All of these diameters and 45/45, 45/36, and 36/36 bearing tapers. These differences will narrow your options. Many makes actually use the same bearing, not size, the EXACT bearing (FSA, Cane Creek, Ritchey, etc…)
31.8 allows for universal road and MTB stems Tom, and greatly improves the torsional stiffness of carbon handlebars, which I know you aren’t a fan of either. 26.0 is the standard and as such everything “road” fits it by design (HRM, aerobars, computers, light mounts, top mount brake levers, etc…) I think the industry is going to accept 31.8mm like it did 1.125" headsets, it’ll just take a few years of painful “shim fitting” by many of these accesory makers to sort out the production of good fitting products.