How to choose your road bike headset?
The headset contributes to reliable and precise steering of your bike. It also absorbs all the forces coming from the front wheel, which is why it will inevitably wear out and therefore needs to be replaced as soon as the steering loses its smoothness or play can be felt. Housed between the fork and the frame, the headset must conform to the standards of these two components. Here are some explanations to help you.
The standards
- The type: external, semi-integrated, integrated
- The insertion diameter in the frame
- The mounting diameter on the fork
- SHIS dimensions
Types of headsets
The multitude of headset cup standards combined with the 3 current fork steerer tube standards gives a staggering number of possibilities for making the wrong choice when you are not familiar with the subject. It is however relatively straightforward to identify the model you need thanks to three pieces of information:
Firstly, the insertion diameter: this is the internal diameter in the bare frame at the headset cup entry point. The value may differ between the top and bottom, so both must be measured carefully for a complete headset.
Secondly, the mounting diameter on the fork. This corresponds to the diameter of your fork's steerer tube. The value may differ between the top and bottom of the steerer tube, so both must be measured carefully for a complete headset.
Finally, the mounting type. If the bearing is housed in a cup that protrudes from the frame: no doubt it is an external (or EC*) A. If the bearing is still in a cup but recessed into the frame, it is a semi-integrated (or ZS*) B. In the last case where the bearing is placed directly in the frame without a cup, it is an integrated (or IS*) C. The type may differ between the top and bottom, so both must be identified carefully for a complete headset.
Finally, you will often hear about SHIS (Standardized Headset Identification System); it is simply the name of the standardisation, a synthesis of what we have just covered together. The SHIS always consists of: 2 letters for the type, a first value for the insertion in the frame, then a 2nd value for the fork steerer tube. For example, a headset whose SHIS is EC34/28.6 will be an external type headset, with a frame insertion of 34 mm and a fork steerer tube diameter of 28.6 mm.
Which headset should you choose?
As you will have certainly understood, the choice will be determined by the cup of your frame and the steerer tube of your fork (SHIS).
You will have the option to choose the material of the headset and the type of bearings. For the latter, you will find either durable ball cage systems that last well over time provided they are regularly maintained, or sealed bearings requiring less maintenance.
Note: if your frame is designed to fit a 1.5'' or tapered fork, there are headsets available that allow you to fit a standard 1''1/8 steerer fork.
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ROAD - Headsets and Bearings
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FSA ORBIT ZS NO.57 Semi-Integrated Headset 1"1/8 - 1.5" ZS44/ZS56
Regular price 447.00 SEKRegular priceUnit price per -
RITCHEY COMP 1"1/8 ZS44 Semi-Integrated Headset
Regular price 235.00 SEKRegular priceUnit price per -
RITCHEY COMP LOGIC 1"1/8 EC34 External Headset
Regular price 388.00 SEKRegular priceUnit price per -
FSA ORBIT CE Integrated Headset 1"1/8 IS42
Regular price 376.00 SEKRegular priceUnit price per -
FSA ORBIT EQUIPE 1"1/8 External Headset
Regular price 388.00 SEKRegular priceUnit price per -
FSA ORBIT C-40 NO.42 Integrated Headset 1"1/8 - 1.5" IS42/IS52
Regular price 564.00 SEKRegular priceUnit price per -
RITCHEY COMP Semi-Integrated Headset 1"1/8 - 1.5" ZS44/ZS56
Regular price 329.00 SEKRegular priceUnit price per -
Microspacer FSA ACR 1"1/8 28.6x0.25mm MW192
Regular price 20.00 SEKRegular priceUnit price per
