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Headset
I'm looking for some advice on a new headset if I can please?
My current one has gone very gritty and after pulling it out, cleaning, re-greasing and putting back together is not much better 
.
I'm thinking I should replace the whole set and not just the bearings so that the seals and races (?) are replaced too. I did notice when I pulled it apart quite a lot of sand sitting above the star nut - I guess this has entered from the underside whilst riding and washing. Is it worthwhile trying to seal off the bottom of the tube?
The bike is a Scott Spark, and the manual says the headset is "1 1/8" semi integr. with 44.0mm cups".
Does a new headset include cups? Are the cups easy to get out of the frame? What about the race on the forks - is this replaced too?
Any recommendations on brand/model replacement headsets? (headset only, not bike...)
Many thanks,
Jon
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These days the price of a good set of bearings is not much more than a whole headset.This will include the cups, bearings, seals, race and stem cap. Semi Integrated are pressed cups meaning you will need tools to remove and insert the new one. These are some of the most expensive tools to buy so if you only plan on doing it once, probably best to get the bike shop to do it.
However, I bought mine on ebay as a home made kit. Do exactly the same job at a fraction of the price. The one thing you have to watch is the alignment of the cups as you press them back in, but to be honest a lot of people do it with a piece of wood and a rubber mallet. Personally I'd take a bit more care than that but it works.
If you want to go DIY, these are what you'll need:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mountain-Bike-Road-Bicycl...
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Icetoolz-Crown-Race-Remov...
You will pay a little extra but this is the best.
some CRC reviews:
****Rich from United Kingdom 14 October 2009 15:06
You don't even know you have any headset fitted, it's as though Chris has developed some kind of zero frictionless bearing. When it comes to a headset, there is no real compromise. You'll get a lifetime's use out of this where as you'll be replacing lesser headsets every year costing you more than the price of a CK. Stop looking and buy one, just not the blue one...
****Andy Livo from United Kingdom 20 November 2009 15:34
Over the past 20 years I have had that many headsets. All of them rubbish but not all cheap. None have lasted more than 18 months in NW English weather. The Chris King headset is a class apart. 3 years on and three pretty miserable winters and it runs as smooth as the day it was installed. Zero maintenance. If I had known then what I now know I would have got the Chris King headset in the first place and saved a load of money!
Got one from here
http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Merchant2/merchant...
Had the bike shop fit it and feels great
Got a new bottom bracket at the same time.
CB
A headset should last a long time, many years in fact. One must follow certain rules to achieve this.
The grit that gets in is inevitable. Happens to everyone who is reasonably keen and thus rides a lot. So, clean out the top of the steerer, just by wiping it out. Occasionally take the fork out of the bike, wipe everything clean with a dry cloth - no water or detergent of any kind please - , apply fresh grease ( general purpose type, not the light type such as slick honey ) and reassemble. Keep it adjusted correctly and check this regularly.
Always buy a headset with sealed bearings. If you can see the little balls in the cages, move on. Flash brands are great if that's your thang yet one can have many happy years with industry stalwarts such as FSA and Cane Creek. Remember that brands such as these are manufactured by Taiwan Heavy Industries and are cheap, tough and have a respectable weight. Only real DH specific headsets will feel heavy and anything integrated or semi integrated is pretty light by default.
And please, don't get all crazy on gram counting here. There are much more important things to worry about...
Thanks all. I've got an idea what I'm looking at now and what to buy. I did some google searching too and found some neat drawings of all the bits.
There seems to be a lot of headsets to choose from, but not too many that are semi-integrated so that helps my decision. I guess a CRC order is out too due to all the air traffic problems in Europe.
Thanks,
Jon
$45 including postage for my Scott Scale so pretty sure that it will fit your Spark
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RITCHEY-WCS-CARBON-PRESS-...