Submitted by
fisher_rider05
a Cross Country Rider
from welaka, florida Date Reviewed: August 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Markham Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
local bike shop
Strengths:
strong, smooth
Weaknesses:
not sealed, heavy
Similar Products Used:
bontrager, quill systems
Bike Setup:
custom gary fisher hardtail
Bottom Line:
This is a heavy duty headset that will stand abuse. The only problem is that the bearings need to be cleaned and regreased once a year.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a
from Sheffield Date Reviewed: May 30, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Cheep! There decent large race and bearings.
Weaknesses:
not very well seeled
Bottom Line:
good afordable headset!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr Orange
a Weekend Warrior
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: October 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
the pig is strong and will take any punishmint you throw its way. I have had no problems with the pig since the day i got it
Weaknesses:
none that i am aware of
Similar Products Used:
chris king, brave
Bike Setup:
2007 specialized P.3, rock shox argyle 409, truvativ holzfeller OCT crank set & BB, holy roller tires,
Bottom Line:
i have only used this headet on my DJ so i dont know about other types of riding but it is perfect for DJ'ing. Not planning on replacing it until it breaks or i find something better which i doubt i will.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pedal Bike
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City, UT USA Date Reviewed: July 12, 2006
Favorite Trail:
John J. Rambo
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
The PIG takes a pounding on a full rigid singlespeed.
Weaknesses:
The PIG has no weaknesses.
Similar Products Used:
Ritchie crap...
Bike Setup:
Full Rigid SS
Bottom Line:
Before the PIG I couldn't find a cheap headset that actually takes a pounding. The PIG handles everything I throw at it. I'm talking NORBA downhill course, baby! Who cares about re-greasing. When it has served it's time, throw it out and get another one....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
juan
a Downhiller
from melbourne australia Date Reviewed: June 19, 2006
Favorite Trail:
barjarg
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
looks good
Weaknesses:
last 6 months
Bottom Line:
you dont wanna clean your headset every month,,, unsealed bearings get dirty too quick!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Soki
a Downhiller
from Ellensburg WA USA Date Reviewed: April 19, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At:
Recycle Shop
Strengths:
Great construction. Good materials. Looks great. Smooooooth and durable
Weaknesses:
not too sure about the non sealed bearings but it hasnt let me down yet
Similar Products Used:
Crane Creek's'
Bike Setup:
Haro F3, Rock Shox Tora, Alex y303's, MTB front hub, Hayes 9 front disk, primo dirtmonster's, husselfelt bars and stem...
Bottom Line:
Pretty darn good head set for the price. I’m using a hybrid setup and so far it hasn't complained one bit. I was worried about the dirt getting in it but it seems to be no real problem. The construction of the part is well laid out and the size of the lower race gives you a sense of comfort when doing drops. I am though quite surprised that 1/4" bearings would be this smooooth! Quick note though, I found that standard Valvoline black moly-grease "aka wheel bearing grease" works the best at keeping dirt out of this set up and also keeps the bearings protected better then a synthetic grease.
Good and quite use so far, if you want a good headset for your BMX or for your MTB for under $30 this is your best bet and if you are uncomfterble with unsealed bearings just get yourself the sealed version for another 20 samolians.
Cheers!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, BC Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Anything fun
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$25.00
Strengths:
Works very well for 1 day
Weaknesses:
This headset gets contaminated as soon as you take it out of the box
Similar Products Used:
Other open and sealed bearing set-ups
Bike Setup:
TST Ti hardtail, Marzocci MX Comp ETA, FSA Orbit XLII, Thompson hardware, Shimano drive, Crankbrother Candys, Chris King Hubs, Mavic 717 rims, etc
Bottom Line:
I'm a 210lb cross country rider.
Although I don't ride downhill, I'd have to agree with Matt's post that said, "Seals are about as good as putting paper round your headtube".
I've had two of these headsets and both got contaminated very quickly. In fact, my first headset was done so I stupidly went and got another one installed. After 1 day of riding, yes, that's right, 1 day of not very wet or muddy riding, the bottom cup was fouled and pitted. I have never had a problem with the top seal, just the bottom, and then you have a grindy headset that goes in the garbage or on your commuter (where it's been ever since). Did I mention that the same thing happend to the first headset as well...
Don't buy this headset. FSA does make some good products but this is just not it. If you want an FSA, spend the extra money and get an Orbit XLII.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chase Winslow
a Weekend Warrior
from Greensboro, NC, USA Date Reviewed: October 10, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Street/DJ's
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA/Re:Cycles Bike Shop
Strengths:
Cheap Cheap Cheap! Strong as hell, very elegant, 1/4" lower bearings, deep cups, polished finish looks trick.
Weaknesses:
Umm, none.
Similar Products Used:
FSA Pig DH, Cane Creek Double-X, Aheadset, Chris King Steelset, Cane Creek Tank, Woodman Saturn 1.5.
Anyone who has trouble with this headset didn't install it right, that's all I have to say. It costs a WHOPPING $25 usd, and I have used the first Pig I bought through multiple frames over the past 2 years, and it stills works perfectly and has ZERO play. And if you do have problems, FSA has a very similar warranty to that of Chris King, and you don't have to spend over a $100 dollars to get it. The Steelset will only fit if you ream the headtube of your frame, which is retarded, and costs way too much. The Pig performs just like it's competitor's more expensive headsets, at a fraction of the cost, plain and simple. I like the Pig's so much, I bought two more for my other bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: July 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
street
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$23.00
Purchased At:
Sportchek & www.ridesoul.com
Strengths:
Its a grest strong headset, but best of all is it's price. It's elegant. Very, very smooth bearings when sealed correctly with lots of synthetic grease. I love hearing the sound of the bearing and grease sliding together. Its so silent and charming compared to my old cane creek headset. The cups are thick and wide. Which makes your frame look beefy and tough. The big balls in the bottom cage rolls nicely and lasts a lot longer than smaller sized bearings that are incorporated in other headsets.
Weaknesses:
People complain about weight, but how is a few grams gonna hold you from busting out tricks?
Weight is not an issue in this product, only large items that have significant differences in weight should be considered a weakness (such as a DJ3 compared to a Pike).
I wish this headset came in cool colours like Chris King Precision Components.
Some dirt catches underneath the seal at the bottom cup, but no dirt enters the headtube or the main body of the headset.
Similar Products Used:
Cane Creek Tank TH Industries
Bike Setup:
Soul Cycles Loki, Psylo at 80mm, sram drivetrain, e13 chainguide + bash, FSA V-drive extreme cranks, Rhyno lites front and rear laced to formula 20mm hub and deore disc.
Bottom Line:
Get this headset if you can't afford a Chris King. Its rolls so smooth and It performs so well that I bought two. One for my brakeless bike (not yet built up) and my current build. They are strong and never comes loose after first installation. I am proud to own an FSA pig DH/BMX headset. I believe it was one of the best upgrades to my bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Colchester Date Reviewed: March 24, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Better than running with no headset.......slightly
Weaknesses:
Crap bearings, races cracked and bent and the actual balls are flat spotted. Seals are about as good as putting paper round your headtube and even though i clean and mantain my bike nearly everday the headset is still crap. Cups are now also rusting and i look after my bike more than myself
This headset works. Not a problem with it. Just greese the bearing every 2 months or so and your set. I use it for DH/FR and it takes everything I can throw at it. Buy this if your on a budjet, yet require a reliable headset. This won't let you down...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Smeagle
a
from Albuquerque, NM Date Reviewed: January 17, 2005
Favorite Trail:
UNM
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Fat Tire Cycles
Strengths:
It works, very well.
Similar Products Used:
Cane Creek C2, Aheadset, Chris King
Bike Setup:
P.2 Rhinolite/XT wheelset Chris King singlespeed Manitou Flick Avid 7.5" Discs
Bottom Line:
This headset has worked flawlessly with no maintenance for over a year now. I've taken it apart twice, but there was no need to work on it; It's solid and smooth, the only significant difference between this and my King is weight.
Bottom line: it's held up to a year of trials riding, it's as strong as any headset you'll find out there. Get it and love it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AJ
a Downhiller
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: January 2, 2005
Great headset, good bang for the buck. Maybe it won't last for like 10 years like a king can, but hell, look at it's price. Can take some big hits and it's great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a
from Sacramento, CA Date Reviewed: December 30, 2004
- Weight - More "play" then I would like - Attracts dirt
Bike Setup:
> Specialized P2 > Manitou Stance Static (RIP DJ III) > Gusset Single Speed > E-Thirteen Bashguard > FSA Pig > ODI Lock-ons > Maxxis rubber
Bottom Line:
Solid headset for an affordable price. It weighs more than I would like but that's because it is strong. You'll appreciate how quiet and smooth it is (if you lube it up properly of course). There is some minor play, but nothing too substantial. Ride Hard Everyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from north delta B.C Date Reviewed: November 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
street
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
bikeroom.com
Strengths:
big and looks good
Weaknesses:
sucks! get a sealed headset,ball bearings fall out everywhere and it feels weird when u turn if u dont use lots of grease and tune it perfect, never again will i buy ne thing from fsa!.
Bottom Line:
dont buy this headset! get a sealed headset so u dont have 2 worry about all the ball bearings falling everywhere, or just stay away from this headset.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
The Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Grass Valley, CA, USA Date Reviewed: October 4, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
a bunch of places
Strengths:
I was looking for a large stack height so my fork crown would clear my downtube, worked for that. Pretty colors :)
Weaknesses:
I have installed dozens of headsets before with no harm done, but i have installed 3 FSA PIG headsets and cracked the crown race on TWO of them! Replacement races are available for ~$6.
Bottom Line:
Mabey i'm just unlucky but I think the crown race on the 1/4" loose ball FSA pig headset is faulty.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Dean
a Weekend Warrior
from York, North Yorkshire Date Reviewed: August 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Glentress
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
somewhere in skipton!
Strengths:
Looks
Weaknesses:
Weight, terrible top race and bearings, top seal sucks
Similar Products Used:
scuzzy logic, specialised branded thingy others that i cant remember
Bike Setup:
Sworks Enduro, Z1 drop offs, hope M4's, blah blah blah
Bottom Line:
Looked and worked good when i bought it (this is my second - sold last on old bike), last one was a warranty replacement for a lesser headset. My mates and i have re-christened FSA to F***in shoddy accessories(!), after numerous repeated failures of headsets, bottom brackets and self extracting crank bolts not to mention the other things that i cant remember! I'm only 14.5 stones, dont jump much cos i'm a wimp and rarely wheely but yet the headset has lasted barely a year and all the races are heavily pitted dispite being regularly serviced (every 3 months ish). The top bearing race is toast! absolutely knackered.
Folks, vote with your feet - dont buy FSA - it sucks!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ragnar
a Weekend Warrior
from Germany Date Reviewed: August 1, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Strengths:
looks, strength
Weaknesses:
poor seals = regular maintenance required
Similar Products Used:
blablabla
Bike Setup:
GMP Mothership, SuperT, RS Pro Deluxe, GustavM, DT/SinTrack, FUNN parts
Bottom Line:
not to bad, will withstand the rigours of hardcore riding/DH/FR but................the seals are not worth mentioning, you gotta look after them often especially in mucky conditions, neglected them once after a sloppy downhill race and forgot to clean and regrease......2 months later they were junk....gonna try the pro next time
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AKRida
a Downhiller
from Canada Date Reviewed: June 20, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
cheap, strong, reliable
Weaknesses:
heavy
Bike Setup:
Banshee Scream, Boxxer Team
Bottom Line:
cheap headset, works great causes 1/2 the amount of others this headset has actually outlasted my previous bike i've had it on 2 different bikes over the past 3 1/2 years i ride atleast 5 nights a week of hard FR/DH maybe mine has been so good cause i have always used lighter non hackish forks like the boxxer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SilVeRaiN
a Downhiller
from Singapore Date Reviewed: February 13, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$22.00
Strengths:
A very strong headset, excellence control, nice looks
Weaknesses:
Heavy, a little front and back plAy, but its okay.
Bottom Line:
Buy this headset cos it is cheap and strong ( tried doing high jumps and drops with it). A must buy( recommended to those who like to abuse their bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Linus Malm
a Downhiller
from Umeå, Sweden Date Reviewed: January 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Åre
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Häggs
Strengths:
Easy to install. Cheap
Weaknesses:
Ball cage doesn't hold the lower balls, at all.. Weak, considering the weight.
Similar Products Used:
Bunch of weak Ritcheys
Bike Setup:
Bighit DH -02
Bottom Line:
I was told that with these headsets I would never ever experience headset failure again. I didn't belive it at the time, and seems I was right again. After just 3 months of DH/dirt biking, both cups have huge marks one them and the headset isn't running smoothly. That is too weak for my taste. Perhaps these works for XC, but then they are probably to heavy. These are not my choice for DH riding.
Thankfully they are really cheap..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt
a
from york Date Reviewed: September 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
£15, crc
Strengths:
cheap, strong, looks good, can be serviced (none of this sealed bearing cr@p)
Weaknesses:
some say the seals are cr@p but ive had no problems
Similar Products Used:
none, i got this and have one on all of my bikes
Bike Setup:
base - need i say more?
Bottom Line:
ace headset. i have one on both my 2 bikes and my brother has one too never had a single problem. only £15 i have an £80 headset that im selling as this is better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
yohon
a Weekend Warrior
from anchorage, alaska Date Reviewed: June 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
driveway
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
beefy
Weaknesses:
none that i can see.
Similar Products Used:
wtb greasegard headset
Bike Setup:
2000 haro werks dsr
Bottom Line:
great for the money. works / installed just fine. i wonder about the problems the other reviewer stated about the fit being off, mine works perfectly. curious to see how much dirt gets into it...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dennisd
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornwall, Ont. Date Reviewed: May 24, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Strengths:
Super strong Nice finish Deep cups Price is right Performs very well
Weaknesses:
Heavy Somewhat bulky
Bike Setup:
'03 Santa Cruz Bullit
Bottom Line:
The FSA pig was recommended to me by my bike store guy. His view was that the extra weight and bulkiness was worth it for the overall performance and stength. Can't say I disagree with him.
This headset is tough! I'm a big rider and I've destroyed a few headsets in my time, but this thing is near indestructible! Huge quarter inch bearings and deep cups make it solid up the wazoo. The front end feels tight, and the stem tracks smoothly. No problems with fit or play so far, but then installation as always, is key.
It is heavy, but if you want something strong for agressive xc riding, you can't go wrong here for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ellison Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville SC Date Reviewed: March 15, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Idaho Trail at Spartanburg
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Very strong
Weaknesses:
Heavy. has too much play. Attracts tons of much dirt and mud.
Similar Products Used:
Aheadset
Bike Setup:
2002 Trek Fuel. Full XT, Rolf Uracco wheelset, Easton Carbon Bar, Race Face Crankset, Time ATAC, Manitou Black Elite, Fox Float, and this crappy headset until i can get rid of it.
Bottom Line:
This headset blows. Luckily I didn't waste my money on it, it came on a bike I bought. Its bulky and it's heavy. But the main problem, is that there is some play between the bearings and the fork steerer. so my fork wobbles around in it even though the fork is the correct size. If I keep riding on it, something on my bike is going to break. The only good thing about it is that it is very strong. The oversize bearings allows for big drops and such. But it's not worth buying.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wayne
a Downhiller
from Nottingham Date Reviewed: February 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
sssh, it's my little special trail
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Strengths:
Strong large lower cup, 1/4' bearings, burly.
Weaknesses:
Heavy, but it's not for XC
Bike Setup:
Revell 450R, Z1's lots of Hope and DMR bits
Bottom Line:
Nice for the price
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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