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Submitted by
MikeDate Reviewed: July 13, 2012
Strengths: This headset came stock on my Santa Cruz Blur LT in 2003. It has only now worn out (2012). Durable? I think so.
It does what it needs to do. It holds my fork and stem to my bike. And I did not have to think about it until now. I'll go for another one and save some dough.Weaknesses: None.Bottom Line: I dont think there is such thing as a wear-proof product. Even if I had gone with a serviceable type product, I would still have spent more money. All the good servicable headsets are $100+ to buy. And you need to spend $30-$40 on replacement parts when needed. So any way you slice it, the Cane Creek S3 is a more cost effective and viable option.
Worked for me for nine years!
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Submitted by
Subaru_Nation555
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington, VADate Reviewed: May 19, 2011
Strengths: Smooth, well built, attractive, performs well, cartridge bearings, starnut and spacers were includedWeaknesses: None so farBottom Line: I have only ever used cheap, loose-bearing headsets and needless to day I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth the S-3 headset is. If you're on a budget and want a good, reasonably priced headset, the S-3 is worth checking out. No word on durability but it should be fine.
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$32.00
Purchased At: Pricepoint.com
Similar Products Used: Various cheapo headsets
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Submitted by
mmmatt
a Downhiller
from London Ontario CanadaDate Reviewed: May 19, 2010
Strengths: This headset is Smooth! Strong too, i never double think anything like i did with my old headset.Weaknesses: Not a chris King, but for the price i paid, i'm more then happy about this headset.Bottom Line: Great inexpensive headset period.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At: Ebay
Similar Products Used: some fsa ball bearing
Bike Setup: 06 kona scrap SS
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Submitted by
Ericmopar
a Weekend Warrior
from Henderson NVDate Reviewed: March 8, 2010
Strengths: Lasts forever... in brutal desert conditions.
It's over 4yrs old and now on a second bike.Weaknesses: None for all mountain / XC riding.Bottom Line: It's tough.
I've never had to replace the bearings in over 4yrs and 8000 miles of riding at Bootleg. That's saying a lot folks.
I've just readjusted it once in awhile, and took it apart to clean the built up dust and grease out once a year.
I was going to replace the bearings during the new bike build a couple of weeks ago, but they are still sealed and turning smooth.
I'd recommend it to anyone, except maybe downhill riders.
Favorite Trail: Bootleg Canyon
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Similar Products Used: Cane Creek S-2, others so long ago I can't remember.
Bike Setup: It was on my San Andreas for a little over 4yrs.
Now it's on my Mountain Cycle Fury.
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Submitted by
10speedbiopacefreewheel
a Cross Country Rider
from coloradoDate Reviewed: February 5, 2010
Strengths: Great value, works perfect, clean and classy, comes in the only 2 colors that matter, black and polished(no gimmicky 20 colors) easy install. never had one fail on me.Weaknesses: ??? the snobs won't talk to me cause I don't have a Chris King
I wish it was made in the USA or some first world country.Bottom Line: Cane Creek INVENTED THE THREADLESS HEADSET!!!! what else do you want to know? most every other company pays them to use their patent. I had a million problems with my Chris King, which I got with a used bike I bought. I worked at a bike shop, no one there could get the P.O.S. setup, and when I called CK they were very rude and insisted that we didn't know how to install it, and that their product wasn't faulty. The best they would do was offer that I pay to ship it to them and they would inspect it and send it back. Chris King has terrible customer service.
but back to the S-3. I have always loved it. A shop favorite. works perfect and never had an issue with one yet. I have owned about 6, and installed probably 25. No regrets, get one.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Similar Products Used: VP, FSA, Chris King, Aheadset
Bike Setup: um... I have run this headset on commuters, geared mtb, SS mtbs, fixed-gear mtb, and my trials bike
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Submitted by
BokorSolo
a Weekend Warrior
from Prince William, VA, USADate Reviewed: December 26, 2009
Strengths: Strong enough for my purposes, set it an forget it. Good price.Weaknesses: Not sealed as well as I had thought.Bottom Line: This is a pretty good product for the price that is for sure. When I was switching forks on my hard tail I noticed that the bottom cartridge had a bit of rust beginning for form on it. After about a year then cartridge was completely brown from rust and whatever was happening from riding through water, mud and whatever. I guess that it served it purposes. Luckily, the cartridges were replaceable through Cane Creek and Performance did all the work for me. I can;t really remember what I paid for new cartridges, but it must have been like $10 or so.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: Performance
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Submitted by
rabidchicken
a Weekend Warrior
from FloridaDate Reviewed: October 5, 2009
Strengths: Inexpensive, Cane Creek name, sealed bearings, easy to install.Weaknesses: No problems as of yet. I haven't had to adjust anything.Bottom Line: Good bang for the buck.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At: online retailer
Bike Setup: Haro Sonix Werx
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Submitted by
brian
a Downhiller
from san rafael, caDate Reviewed: September 15, 2009
Strengths: smooooooth, solid, clean lookingWeaknesses: none
Bottom Line: I love this headset. its cheap, reliable, and super smooth. i have never had any problems with it and i am not nice to my bikes. to those who have had trouble with it, there seems to be a recurring theme: getting it free with a fork? maybe they throw it in because they couldnt sell it. just a thought
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Bike Setup: trek fuel ex8 set up slopestyle
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Submitted by
D1PHAM
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Clara, CA, USADate Reviewed: May 17, 2009
Strengths: -Light
-Nice finish
-Sealed Cartridge bearings
-Interloc Spacers
-Smooth functionality
-Does a great job of keeping contaminants away from the bearings.
-Low MSRP $60.00Weaknesses: NoneBottom Line: Great bang for the buck headset. Looks great, cartridge bearings are replaceable and is very smooth. A can't lose purchase.
Favorite Trail: Skeggs
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: Performance
Similar Products Used: FSA Orb
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Submitted by
krazychowmein
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CADate Reviewed: January 4, 2009
Strengths: Sturdy and installed easilyWeaknesses: None so farBottom Line: The product fitment is great and seems to be a quality product regardless of what others may have said this headset seems to be doing great so far.... again it's only been a month but it's working well!
Favorite Trail: Everywhere
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Other headsets
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz SL
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Submitted by
OctoCog
a Cross Country Rider
from Royersford PADate Reviewed: November 19, 2008
Strengths: stays properly adjusted, smooth, inexpensiveWeaknesses: noneBottom Line: works great - does what it needs to do and stays adjusted; no problems or issues with it
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: other cane creek headsets
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Submitted by
ja-red
a Cross Country Rider
from GreenvilleDate Reviewed: November 15, 2008
Strengths: cheap, ease of installWeaknesses: noneBottom Line: This is the best bang for buck headset I have ever ridden or installed period. I worked at a bike shop and installed many different headsets and had this on my personal bike that my dad is now riding and has been running great for 2+ years. I have also installed this on several friends bikes, one using only the star nut tightening the top cap on the stem/fork to press in the cups. If you can't install this correctly with the proper tools you should probably shouldn't be working on your own bike!
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: pricepoint
Similar Products Used: many including other cane creek and king
Bike Setup: kona kula custom build xt shifters & der , avid disc and manitou black
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Submitted by
Julius
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USADate Reviewed: June 2, 2008
Strengths: Cheap, robust, nice looking and no frillsWeaknesses: Not Chris King quality & performanceBottom Line: I have beaten the snot out of this headset and it's very solid for the price. I can't complain. For $30 it has done it's job and more. It's definitely useful for your "beater" bike.
Favorite Trail: Noble Canyon, CA
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: Price Point
Similar Products Used: Aheadset, FSA ZS
Bike Setup: Soma Juice 1x9 w/ Reba SL 29er
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Submitted by
Stephen
a Weekend Warrior
from Morehead City, NC, USADate Reviewed: February 16, 2008
Strengths: Quiet, solid construction, smooth as butter.Weaknesses: None so farBottom Line: I bought this headset to replace the lousy one that came with the bike after the lower bearings gave up the ghost. Old headset creaked and groaned despite adjustment from day one. Installed it myself with no difficulty. Fit the headtube like a glove and works flawlessly. The day I put it on I put 11 miles on it through a very rooty, somewhat technical trail. No adjustments required afterward and the bike tracks much better. I'd recommend it for X-ctry and all mountain use. Probably not beefy enough for freeride or DH use.
Favorite Trail: Anything singletrack
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: Pricepoint
Similar Products Used: Crappy Aheadset that came stock on my bike.
Bike Setup: Trek 4300 with Panaracer Fire XC pro tires and Shimano SPD pedals.
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Submitted by
Harriieee
a Weekend Warrior
from United KingdonDate Reviewed: December 2, 2007
Strengths: + It has given me no trouble whatsoever throughout the past year that I have ridden it. No sticky steering, no noise, no internals failing, nothing. Pretty cheap too.Weaknesses: Lots of people have slated this headset, but I have had no negative experiences whatsoever from it.Bottom Line: The biggest compliment that I can give this headset is that I didn't even know what type I was running until I was planning on building up a new hardtail and thought about what headset to put on that. I checked my SX Trail and found it to be running an S-3. I hadn't thought about the headset once in that time, and why should I have? it ran so smoothly and silently that it might just as well not have existed.
I see that this evidently isn't everyone's opinion, but I'm not meant to give an overview of the general opinion, I'm meant to give my own personal experience of this component - and my experience has been completely flawless. All the same, I won't be buying this headset again. I'm going NoThreadSet on my newest build, for safety's sake. But on my SX - I'll run it until it becomes a problem, and the way things are going, that may well still be a while. 5/5 (6/5 when it comes to value, if you ask me).
Favorite Trail: FF Trails
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: Came on my bike
Bike Setup: '06 SX Trail, Marzo 66, SRAM groupset, Fox DHX 4.
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