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Submitted by
elf 232
a Weekend Warrior
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | with bike | | Strengths: | It stayed in the frame i guess. | | Weaknesses: | Honestly, i hate putting out a few extra bucks, but this thing is already warping my steerer tube and I heard another reviewer say it damaged his frame. Dont waste your time, it will save you a lot of money in the long run. | | Similar Products Used: | Cane creek stuff | | Bike Setup: | Specialized enduro | | Bottom Line: | This is an enemy to your bike, I have put about 400 miles on it and its just squeaks and whines the whole ride. It loosens up after every single ride and is a bugger to mess with. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Lacey
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | black river adventurers | | Strengths: | none that I can think of! | | Weaknesses: | bearings, races. | | Similar Products Used: | cane creek, FSA orbit | | Bike Setup: | 00' fuji suncrest sx, full xt with sexy easton parts. | | Bottom Line: | I had this headset for approximately three years and I could never keep the headset tight enough. I retourqued after almost every ride. I purchased a azonic headlock to help rememdy problem but that also failed. Eventually this headset warped my head tube and ruined my frame. I am now using an FSA orbit on my BPstealth and I love it! Go spend the money on an FSA and forget about it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nitish
a Cross Country Rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any good 1 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Good Price, Easy servicing | | Weaknesses: | Weak, needs a lot of servicing, Not great manufacturing quality. Losens up easily. Bearings suck | | Similar Products Used: | King, Ritchey | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur
| | Bottom Line: | Its an Ok begginers head set, nothing more, buy yourself a king and it will pay for it self with no hassles or maintenance. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | durability | | Weaknesses: | Didn't had any for 6 year | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | I did look the last reviews and I don't beleave what people is saying!!! Mine has more than 4000 miles of riding and I didn't even grease it last 4 year! I'm doing all kind of riding: agressive wood riding to road riding. Maybe one of the headset was great on the production and I have it... :p | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Racer
from Massachuets
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything downhill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | simply...nothing
ROCK SHOX DELUXE for sale. Email me is interested. | | Weaknesses: | weak as hell, ball bearings SUCK! o and if you care bout looks it isn't to hot their either.
ROCK SHOX DELUXE for sale. Email me is interested. | | Similar Products Used: | i am not good with names.
ROCK SHOX DELUXE for sale. Email me is interested. | | Bike Setup: | stratos helix pro
psylo race
full XTR
Hope M4 disc brakes
race face cranks
...all the goodies
ROCK SHOX DELUXE for sale. Email me is interested. | | Bottom Line: | for some reason i had two of these headsets. I threw on of them on. Went out outside down my driveway and off a little stump, landed and the ball bearing had bent. Was only 2 or 3 foot jump. Went back inside, used the other one, went for a ride, came back and noticed my ball bearing was bent again. This thing is the biggest piece of crap. i see why i had two...i never wanted to use them. Weak as hell. Good thing i never used this in a race, never would of gotten of the starting line without haveing this thing bend. I am saying 1 chili, but this should 0 yes ZERO chili's. Never buy unless you want to waste money. Talking bout money i have a ROCK SHOX DELUXE for sale. Email me is interested. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Price Simplicity | | Bottom Line: | Never had the excess money to sow into a headset, rather than up-specing something else. Used them since the first, had good ones, great ones and OK ones.
Love reviews like Matt's below.....
"USED IT FOR 3 YEARS
CAN BUY IT FOR 10 BUCKS
THOROUGHLY THRASHED IT
(never needed servicing)
I DOUBT I WOULD TRUST BUYING ANOTHER ONE.."!!!!!!!!!!! (Then he gives it 4 chillis for Value!)
Can anyone tell me of anything else on the bike that you can thrash for 3 years and replace it the for the same for 10 bucks?
As the old saying goes "Don't look a gifted horse in the mouth"
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from St Louis
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | kokopelli trail loops in fruita | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Touring Cyclist | | Strengths: | good bang for the buck i guess, inexpensive | | Weaknesses: | not the strongest thing out there, but it served me well. | | Similar Products Used: | nothin' | | Bike Setup: | 99 Trek 7000 with a bunch of upgrades i don't care to list | | Bottom Line: | This thing came on my Trek 7000, which i bought in february of '99. I have thoroughly thrashed this bike. this bike has been through street sessions, more trials than a mountian bike should, commuting, and above all, lots and lots of XC. only once has the thing been taken apart and serviced, which was when i replaced the fork. that was when the bike was about 2 years old. anyway, lately i have noticed a crackling sound coming from the headtube, which i have deduced is the headset probably cracked. and it doesn't surprise me. i am not going to say that the thing is crap, because it isn't; but it is no king headset. i have seen the thing retail for 10 bucks, and if for that, i think you get a decent product. but i personally am hoping (note wording) to get a king headset. The bottom line is that it held up pretty well during the three years i used it. but that is just my experience. i doubt i would trust buying another one though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | None! | | Weaknesses: | It´s so weak. | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail racingbike | | Bottom Line: | Cheap piece of junk! Don´t ever think of buying this crap... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G
a Weekend Warrior
from Mass
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any with NO TRESSPASSING | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycleloft in Burllington MA | | Strengths: | Oh c'mon there aren't any | | Weaknesses: | 1)Plastic top cap 2) tolerances are unacceptable 3)Ball bearing quality horrible. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB grease guard - good quality except for the rubber bands | | Bike Setup: | Diamond back APEX Marzocchi Z2 SRAM and XT Bontrager and U.S.E shockpost - A beautifully crafted bike part | | Bottom Line: | Junk is all I can say. I have had this professionally pressed and packed and re-packed. This thing still losens and wobbles and shakes. It is true that you get what you pay for. Don't pay for this product. Dia- comp makes low end product period. Pay a little more get much better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walter
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Still works | | Weaknesses: | Plastic cap doesn't look all that great | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale M900 | | Bottom Line: | One of the only original parts on my Cannondale that still works. It came on the bike, the only difference I can imagine is that I swapt the standard fork with a RockShox, and in the proces greased the headset with plenty of water-resistant lithium-based high pressure grease. Also replaced the bottom cage with loose balls, a habit from a long time ago. I only took it apart a month ago, after six years of neglect. It rains half the year in Holland and I've took my bike halfway trough Europe, ALWAYS off road. Even drove into a lake a few years ago, no problem. So I guess the secret is to use lots of high quality grease and to stay away from high pressure cleaners. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Green
a Weekend Warrior
from London, England
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | 'The Bike Shop' | | Strengths: | Cheapy cheapy cheap cheap! | | Weaknesses: | needs regular lubing
fills with crap quite easily
creaky | | Similar Products Used: | god knows how many. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 GT Palomar | | Bottom Line: | S'ok I guess. Not great though. Dirt cheap to buy (ten quid) and seems to be built from reasonable grade materials. Nice'n'squeaky after a few miles so regular greasing is neccesary. Fills with crap easily so get Lizard skin or similar to protect it with. Much better than anything quilled, so as a cheap entry to the world of A-heads go for it! Reviewed as is, no point comparing it to a hundred quid headset now is there, unfortunately some people seem unable to realise that not everyone can afford or wants to spend huge amounts of moola on their bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis
a Weekend Warrior
from New York
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Cathedral Pines | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Byran Lake | | Strengths: | Came with bike, it works. | | Weaknesses: | Can't find any. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6000, IRC Mythos XC tires. | | Bottom Line: | This think works, plain and simple. After a year of riding trails it hasn't let me down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, MI
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | None, besides cheap | | Weaknesses: | Plastic top poor design. You get what you pay for I guess | | Similar Products Used: | NOthing can stoop this low | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn 95 .3 Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | THis was horrible 80 miles in 1 1/2 weeks of cross country riding. I use a lizard skin to protect my headsets and always have done well in the past with others. Of the 80 miles I've used this on Porbably 30 miles was in some mud and slope from rain in days before. But now what happens after 80 miles creaks and some slop. Pull it apart past the point of even attempt to degrease regrease and then pack again. HOrrible headset and it's getting nothing close to a fire as this should not be used by anyone. You get what you pay for and trust me 20 more bucks could get you something much more durable than this. I've since upgraded to a nice creek headset and love it with over 400 miles of some of the nastiest terrain. Only clean once and a peice of cake to assemble. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trey
a Racer
from Valrico
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Cheap | | Similar Products Used: | FSA
Cane Creek
King | | Bottom Line: | If you ride on pavement, this is not a bad headset at all. If your bike ever sees dirt, get something else. Contamination, flimsy, and rough are some of the words that come to mind with this headset. Since this is a mountain biking site, I will rate low on value (even though it is cheap) and overall under the assumption that everybody here is riding off-road.
Keep this headset for you neighborhood cruiser, where it is better than most threaded but leave it there. It is only a pretend headset for off-road.
Sure everybody can't go out and get a Chris King or Cane Creek S-5 but there are plenty good headsets less than $50 if you look hard. Even though this is a part that works best when you don't think about it, don't be afraid to spend a little extra on it. I'd rather think about the trail than the headset myself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glen
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came with the bike setup | | Strengths: | durable, sturdy, creak free(until now that is) | | Weaknesses: | none until the past few weeks | | Bottom Line: | This is on the Dia Compe G1 in the picture. I got this with my bike setup and it has lasted more than 3 years of hardcore riding. mud, rain, dirt, every natural element and the occasional bail. I had it rapacked once about 2 years back and now it's creaking. Maybe because I started trials but other than that, very durable. no breakage that I can see but I haven't opened it up yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AWKAKOV THE INSANE PARROT! (aka i_Parrot323)
a Racer
from MTB-obsessed place
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | *used* | | Strengths: | survives thru a year of rocks and roots after i bought it used | | Weaknesses: | BIG... and dont sprint in 24th gear | | Similar Products Used: | cheap junk... not very similar | | Bike Setup: | customfit barracuda, with parts from Trek and Dia-compe | | Bottom Line: | What the heck is wrong with you people? I got my bike used and the headset hasn't done anything wrong in a year! The only problem is that its big (changes the look of the whole front). And dont sprint on it in high gear. It kinda wobbles, but thats nothin' to worry about. All headsets do that I ride in the rain alot and got it all muddy and still nothin's wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John McChesney
a Cross Country Rider
from Steilacoom,WA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | ummm...it looks good in black | | Weaknesses: | ummm...it doesn't take out the garbage | | Similar Products Used: | old threaded headsets, Kleins headset (you know, the wacky only Klein uses it one) | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kilauea, AMP fork, speedplay pedals, WTB hubs, WTB BB | | Bottom Line: | I have never had a problem with it. I had this headset installed back when threadless headsets were new on the market, around '94. This guy has hung through commmuting and racing. I think most of the problems I have read come from bad installation. Remember--Dia-Compe was one of the first companies to offer such a product. If the first generation was better than subsequent, I would be suprised.
No experience servicing it tho---It still is smooth, so why mess witha good thing? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Racer
from boston, ma, usa
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere, usa | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | heavy, expensive, garbage | | Similar Products Used: | lots, including cheaper dia's that lasted longer | | Bike Setup: | sc superlight | | Bottom Line: | I'll tell you why all the bad reviews, the head set is LUGGAGE! after one lousy year or riding I went trough some light mud, after rinsing and drying my rig I heard this crunchy nuggetness. Took the thing apart, bearings everywhere! yay! GARBAGE P.O.S. !!!! and I upgraded to this stupid thing... so i tried to rebuild it.... NOPE the bearings were actually gone, i forget what the word is, it starts with a b, but the were kerplucked! I need to get a new headset, either a RF team sl or a syncros... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | I don't understand all these bad reviews. I've had it in my bike now for a year and haven't had to tighten it (or clean it really) it yet. Maybe if you are an extreme rider you would see some problems, but then again, this isn't what a lower priced headset is for. And the price of $80? It think people are rating the wrong headset. The one I have cost about $20. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonesy
a Weekend Warrior
from B.C.
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | ABSOLUTELY NONE!!!!!1 | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, noisy, dirty, ugly, cheap | | Similar Products Used: | I have never used a headset this cheap before | | Bike Setup: | 1998 Caldera | | Bottom Line: | This thing sucks wirse than a hoover vaccuum. The only reason I entered 1 month as how long i used it is because there was nothing less. After about a week of using it (consisting of maybe 2 big drops), the thing started creaking. Turns out the bearings broke loose and the seals were all busted. I replaced it with raceface and have used it ever since. DIACOMP SUCKS!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Woodbridge, VA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Gambrille/Watershed in MD | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
None | | Weaknesses: |
Cheap, no strength, | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
K2 5000, XTR, King Hubs w/ Bontrager rims | | Bottom Line: | This head set sucks! Been riding only 1.5 months, has caused steerer tube to sieze up, remains dirty all the time in dry conditions. Pulled it apart to get steerer free, lasted a week. Head set cracks & pings as you steer & makes a horrible noise with large hits. Will be at the shop tomorow morning having my new King put on. Can't wait! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trey
a Cross-Country Rider
from Valrico, Fl
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
none | | Weaknesses: |
its weak | | Similar Products Used: |
FSA | | Bike Setup: |
Raleigh m-200, manitou sxr | | Bottom Line: | If you want a headset get some other design I had problems keeping stuff out of mine for all conditions. And by the way Tony from Miami, I broke mine last time I rode the ridges at Carter Road. It worked out good though, I got to buy a new one and haven't had to do anything to my FSA. The only thing that is positive about this headset is that it is threadless. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Carter Park, Lakeland | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
low price. | | Weaknesses: |
poor design | | Bottom Line: | nick from ny. hits it right on the head, i spent 2 hours one evening with two other people looking for ball bearings on the floor of my guarage! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Raiti
a cross-country rider
from Copperas Cove, TX
Date Reviewed: February 28, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the Dia Compe as OEM on my '95 Cannondale, unfortunatley, I let the shop upgrade my rigid to an FS...they restacked my headset wrong and lost a seal. The other seal, made out of cheap plastic was quick to go. I've cleaned and restacked it myself several times, and it is a big pain! Repeat after me: simplify! Yeah, they're a lot of money, but after trying to settle for a LBS Tange replacement, I'm going to buy a high dollar cartridge jobbie (probably Cane Creek)! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick
a cross-country rider
from ny
Date Reviewed: February 17, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
OK - im not about to go criticize the performance of this headset, cause i havent fu$%ing got it on yet. I actually stopped my headset/fork install to tell everyone NOT to buy this headset unless they have hawkeye vision and alot of patience. The cartridge type bearings fall apart EASILY and the little balls fall to the floor and get lost real quick. Originally they start with 29 balls per cartirdge (I am down to 27 on the bottom cartridge THANKS) To anyone who gets suckered into this by cambria (or anyone else blowing them out) please be careful. they may well be a good headset perofrmance wise, but I pity the designer of this product, we are not dealing with a normal brain. to someone considering this but hasnt gotten it yet, DONT. remember this is the diacompa AC headset, the only one with cartridge type bearings. STEER CLEAR, good luck
if i could give this negative 5 chilles for shitty design, i would in a heart beat | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jamie l
a racer
from canada
Date Reviewed: January 10, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
this headset came on my bike. When i got it i thought oh good. threadless.
This headset is not insaneley good but it is not total crap either. I have rode it in dust sand clay mud and water since june 98. I got it cleaned out at the shop once and after that it was good once again. some of my friends have this headset too adn they don't have any real problems either. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a cross-country rider
from Knoxville TN, USA
Date Reviewed: January 9, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Good grief, I can't believe all of the lousy reviews for these headsets. A
message to the Plug-N-Play generation (of which I'm a part): THESE ARE NOT
SEALED BEARINGS!!! YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CLEAN THEM REASONABLY OFTEN. Cleaning
a threadless headset is easy and just takes a few minutes. Undo the stem pinch
bolt and star-nut bolt, remove the fork, de-grease and re-grease the bearings,
and put it all back together. Headset works great again in 15 minutes, tops.
It's cheap and will last a long time if properly maintained. Unless you live
somewhere where mud and rain are constants (e.g. Seattle/Vancouver area), save
your cash and stick to ball bearing headsets. The only thing I can think of that
would make these headsets any better would be a set of seals to keep water from
getting in to the frame tubes themselves (like the RaceFace headset). It's a
whole lot harder to dry your frame out than it is your headset. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
UNgasha
a racer
from College Station, Texas
Date Reviewed: December 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These headsets suck. They are the only brand of headsets I've owned on my mountain-bike, so I have nothing else t to really compare them to. All I know is that it always gets dirt in the bearings, so I hope you like cleaning! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Viking
a racer
from Mesquite
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The basic Dia Compe head set SUCKED. I had it on my full suspention bike, it would not stay clean.It developed an awful crunchy feeling after every wet ride.I took it apart to find the grease had turned into mud, and the tiny bearing fall out of the clip.Replaced it with a FSA Extreme,smooth no problems.Then I bought a hard tail used.Same Dia-compe head set same problems crunch-crunch | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas
a cross-country rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: July 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the AL 2 or whatever it's called on my bike and I don't have any complaints. I haven't serviced it in a 1.5 years now and it is still running smooth. Once I had to retighten a little bit, but I can live with that. For the money it is a great product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt cohen
a weekend warrior
from Reston, Va
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is an update on my Diacompe Aheadset problems. Called up Diacompe customer service. Got their number off the Cane Creek website on the net. Incidentally cane creek is made by Diacompe FYI. the guy at diacompe said he would send me a brand new headset free of charge but said that he doubted that the headset had a manufacturing defect. He said it probably wasn't adjusted properly, wasn't installed properly or wasn't properly maintained. He said that manufacturing defects were very rare in their products. I didn't think of it at the time but Ishould have told him to look at this product page and see all the people who have had a problem with Diacompe aheadsets. I will upgrade my previous rating by one star because of the excellent customer service.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave P
a cross-country rider
from Coloado
Date Reviewed: June 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the DiaCompe Kontak DL when I added a suspension fork to my bike and needed to go threadless. I had a small problem with the bottom race fiting the steer tube of the fork, but there was so little play several local techs just told me to use LocTite. 300 miles of Colorado climbing and descending and no problems yet. The thing is super smooth. I had heard about the cracking of the plastic cap and bought a metal one (even has AheadSet name on it) for $5. Some of those techs also warned me about the bottom seals coming loose when they get muddy, so I put on a Lizard Skins head seal. No problems whatsoever. I plan on riding this bike into the ground and replacing it with a custom built one. I'll get a King on that, but untill then, the DC is working just dandy. Three chile's cause of the extra stuff I needed to get. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hau
a cross-country rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
gentlemen, do not purchase this item if you do not have a million dollars reserve. it is a headset made in hell, even with extra soft suspension springs this piece of shit headset drags and moves in its cups. I would get a different one but the price doesn't include 'satisfaction guaranteed or your money back' so now I'm broke stuck with this... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Cohen
a weekend warrior
from Reston, VA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Diacompe Aheadset came stock on my 1997 Giant ATX 780 which I bought 7 months ago. Had my bike in the shop a month or so ago and the mechanic couldn't get the handlebars to stop creaking. Said I needed to replace the headset bearing. Decided not to have it done at that point. Forgot about it after leaving the shop. Brought it back in to have it replaced and a different mechanic told me I needed to have the whole headset replaced. I'm real new to mountain biking with the Giant being my first bike. I didn't realize that the headset was something that needed to be maintained. I'm really not qualified to give this product an accurate review but if it is going to break on me every six months I think I will give a different manufacturer a chance at impressing me with their headset. Can anyone tell me the price point for sealed units. What price do they start at?
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a cross-country rider
from Cheshire, UK
Date Reviewed: March 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got a Dia-Compe as stock on my new bike. It went for 2 years until it needed some attention, after breaking it open I could never get it adjusted right, requiring a re-tighten after every ride.... but still 3 sessions a week through 2 british winters isn't bad... 4 stars | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gilbert
a cross-country rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: March 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Most bikes come with the DC headset stock. It isn't a bad stock piece of equipment. Mine is smooth; real smooth. I never need to adjust it. However, a reasonably muddie ride requires an overhaul. I can't waste my time taking it apart after muddie rides--I will be replacing it with a sealed bearing headset soon. I currently recommend keeping it 'til it breaks or needs replacing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hammerman
a cross-country rider
from
Date Reviewed: February 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
It works when it's new .I upgraded my fork to a Bomber Z-2 and also developed a loose bottom seal on the Diacompe .When I inspected further I discovered the ball bearings looked like small pebbles. The only good thing about this headset is it gives you a reason to buy a Raceface (truly spectacular ! ).Diacompe is not for mountain/offroad use.It sucks ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony D
a cross-country rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: February 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got news for all you folks, the DiaCompe Kontak DL works just fine. I can't imagine conditions more muddy year-round then the Pacific Northwest. If it is installed properly (yes, this involves filing the contact points, facing the steerer tube and lubing the works and just don't make it work it is reliable and very smooth. With regular bike overhauls and cleanings, mine has lasted almost two years averaging 25 off-road miles per week all year long. Is a Race Face nice? Yes. Will King give you a 10 year warranty? Yes. I'm not trying to say the Compe is better. Iit IS however a high-quality part (at least the DL) from the folks who invented the whole threadless aheadset idea, and you can pick 'em up for $20 if you look hard enough. Don't be fooled by magazine ads and hype. Get what works and ride it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hedgehog
a cross-country rider
from California
Date Reviewed: January 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the Kontact (more expencive lighter aluminum one). I took this piece of crap apart and lubed it 4 times in 8 months and is still rusted out. If you ever ride in the rain or snow (even once) expect rust. Even creek crossing will deposit water inside this headset because it doesn't seal well. I have used Diacomp brakes on 3 or 4 different bikes with exellent results. So I thought the headset would have similar workmanship and quality. WRONG!!! Calling Diacomp has been an exercise in futility. Save up you pennys and get the Chris King or the Orbit (I know one of the Orbit's has sealed bearings, I thinks it's the XL). But whatever you do don't buy a Diacrap headset. ZERO RATING!!! NOT EVEN ONE!!!. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a downhiller
from Durango CO
Date Reviewed: December 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This headset is designed for budget and budget only. It was originally equiped on my Schwinn S-20, but when I got rid of the indy for a 98 Bomber Z-2 BAM, the leverage totally wrenched the bearings. The little ring that holds the upper bearings in place was practically braided inside the races. It also dug a major ring into my aluminum steerer tube, which is a pricy replacement on a Marzocchi fork! Only get this if you are tight for money or are riding a really inexpensive fork with short travel. It gets 2 stars for hitting the price point, though Orbit sells a much better, all aluminum model for $2 more. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alun Evans
a weekend warrior
from Swansea, Wales
Date Reviewed: December 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've just got some RST Mozo's and fitted them to my bike with a Diacompe A-headset. What can I say. This thing is the biggest pile of dog poop I have ever spent money on. I have installed everything correctly (I know this because I've installed other headsets in the past without problem) and I've checked and double checked everything. But if I tighten the thing until I can't turn my forks properly (i.e. so I know that the compression system IS working), the bl@%dy thing has STILL got play in it! The play could be coming from the fork but I've tightened all bolts, and the slop really does feel like it's coming from the headset. Apart from this (small amount) of play the headset seems to work fine; but the slop is quite simply unacceptable.
I will continue fiddling and riding until I get so fed up that I decide to splash more money on a different headset. Until then: only 1. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XCMTBiker
a racer
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: October 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This headset works fine, but if your doing any serious riding, or are in a muddy climate try something else. In the last 6 months i have busted 2 bearings, The bearings are cheap in themsleves. They are really flimsy almost like they are made out of tin, i once accidentaly dropped it on my floor, and the thing just FOLDED in half, thats what i can good overseas engineering. Also now that i have gotten the correct bearings, i cannot put enough tension on the headset, to eliminate slop. When i do eliminate slop, i can't turn my fork, its just a peice of crap. I am going to a king, it will last forvever, instead of just 3 weeks. 2 stars, because for the average 1ce everother week rider i'd be fine, for any serious rider, you've got to be lucky, or dumb to keep riding it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Forest Spirit
a
from The womb of the Mother Earth
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently purchased a Klein with a DC headset (Ahead stills sound like a kitchy marketing ploy, its just threadless)
I don't know what the model name is but it sucks. The top is a plastic dust cap. Guess what happens when you put plastic on the single most bashed and abused part of a bike. The bike is under warranty so the shop will replace it for free, with an identical peice of plastic. Whoo hoo!!! How long before the replacement breaks.
It broke because I tightened the allen to eliminate the slop. Boy, do I have egg on my face.
What the hell is any company (Asian, NA or Europe) doing puting plastic on a headset?To their credit the plastic was useless any way as the headset does still work fine, but come on. Get with the F@#$ing program | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Townsend
a
from weekend warrior
Date Reviewed: April 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had this headset for nearly 3 years with no problems whatsoever. i can't see the point in forking out heaps of $$$ when this does the job well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Akos
a cross-country rider
from Veszprem, Hungary
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been using this Aheadset for 3 years without any problem. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Greene
a weekend warrior
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 25, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
They are just average, save your cash and go for Race-Face or if you can Chris King | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
El Bastardo
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
To all You people out there complaining about loose Aheadsets, It's called and Allen wrench--Use it. I've had two DC aheadsets, one cheaper model with the plastic top bearing sheild, and a new all aluminum DL model. The parts fit together as well as any mass produced product, and I feel that It is well made. I've been riding around on some wash-board frozen trails right now (with a rigid fork) and it's still tight as a drum. If your headset was loose when you bought it, you should have a talk with the dealership. Overall, I don't see the need to plunk down 120+ dollars for a King when the standard one works (and looks) just fine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry McElroy
a cross-country rider
from SF, CA
Date Reviewed: February 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Some of these reviews are a little misleading--there are several models of AheadSets that I've seen. Just like anything else, there are heavier cheaper ones and nicer, lighter more expensive ones. I know because I switched from the steel headset that came on my bike to another AheadSet model (DL, I think). It's aluminum, and it must do a pretty good job of sealing off the bearings because I haven't had to touch it since I did the upgrade last year. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Sullivan
a cross-country rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: February 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Stock on my ProFlex. It was loose the whole time. At 6 months I took it apart to reservice it, and I could not get it tight again. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lois Segal
a cross-country rider
from Woodland Hills, CA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
If you need a new headset, why are you looking here? Go check out the KING headset reviews if you want a good one. This turkey came on my Proflex and it wobbled from day one unless I tightened it enough to prevent any handlebar movement! I replaced it with a King headset since I know from my experience with my road bike what works and what does not. The Diacompe would get no stars if this review system would allow it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ED Erwin
a cross-country rider
from Asheville,NC
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been using this headset on my Fat Chance now for about 4 years and had no problems at all. I ride hard, ride a 23 Wicked, IRD Titanium Blades with threadless steerer, weigh 230lbs and have snapped off several bottom bracket spindles but never had a problem with the Aheadset. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Were
a racer
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Had my AHEAD set on for just over a year. Great design in some respects but not in others. When I serviced the unit at approx 6mths there was a distinct lack of grease on the top bearing race definitely the reverse of my previous Ritchey Logic Headset which went for 4years with minimal maintenance and was replaced because I broke the bike. I'm now experienceing index steering and will be changing to either a Race Face or Chris King as cartridge bearing are definitely the way to go. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Berta
a cross-country rider
from SF.CA. USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
The head set was stock on my ProFlex. The bottom ball bearing race went bad after 3 months. Showed signs of comtamination of dirt although it had never been in wet muddy conditions. This was the model with loose balls. Replaced it with a Chris King sealed unit. Don't expect to ever have to replace that headset. If you go for this brand go for the sealed units. The loose ball units just don't make it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Deane
a cross-country rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
The Diacompe Aheadset ST2 is not worth purchasing. Ive ridden with one for
4 months, and its come loose continuously the whole time. This gets a little
discouraging, when I test the front brakes, and that little bit of movement
always seems to be there. Its not tough to repair, but the fact that its so
reoccuring is frustrating. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Bell
a racer
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This is an okay headset. aluminum cups and bearings make this a lightweight set, but I wish I bought one that had sealed bearings. Don't get me wrong, this is a great headset that ovvers great smoothness and control, but if I were you, I'd dish out the extra cash for a sealed bearing headset. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a cross-country rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This headset is light and reliable and alot less than the big name brands. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenny Danner
a
from Norman, Ok.
Date Reviewed: June 10, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This headset isn't as fancy as some of the big name headsets, but it is
efficient. It works and is still light. Not to mention the cost is cheaper
than the big names. I like the Dia-Compe and think it is a good headset for
the price. | | Overall Rating: |
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