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Reviews 1 - 9 (9 Reviews Total)
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User Reviews
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Submitted by
Jack Steele
a Cross Country Rider
from Hull,Quebec, CanadaDate Reviewed: May 7, 2005
Strengths: this product has worked without problems. others reviewing this headset have gotten theirs installed incorrectly, or should try lubing it up again.Weaknesses: none. it isn't as fancy as some of the others, but this is the real deal. isn't that you want? something that's real? without frills? no bs ,here, in this product.Bottom Line: By the way, all those with loose nuts can have theirs serviced or something like that. and optimally, the real seal is meant to be lubed with the GreaseGuard system that Suntour developed many years ago (and sold the patents, etc.) Funny thing is, bike parts work best when installed at the bike store, from experienced service people, or from experienced high school students working the first job of their lives. The Real Seal is for read.
I've ridden with a set for over 4 years and it rocks. I've had no problems.
Favorite Trail: multipleO
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Purchased At: local shop, across the river, where it's real
Similar Products Used: ahead set, chris king, ritchey.
Bike Setup: full xt with a SID 2003.
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Submitted by
Pablo
a Cross Country Rider
from Alpine Meadows, CA USADate Reviewed: September 13, 2004
Strengths: Race Face nameWeaknesses: Difficult to dial in. Poor engineering or quality control.Bottom Line: I had some difficulty dialing in adjustment originally. I realized after some time its poor interface with the frame and stem caused scoring on my steerer tube causing me to have to rebuild the fork. Inaccurate engineering causes the stem to rotate inside and independent of the top race which causes the premature wear. Expensive Bummer. Especially since I am without my main toy during peak riding season. Am replacing it with Chris King where I should have started in the first place. I'm considering replacing the Team SL that came on my road tandem because I fear similar damage on its carbon steerer tube
Favorite Trail: Tahoe Rim Trail
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Similar Products Used: Cane Creek, Race Face Team SL
Bike Setup: Ventana El Fuego frameset, Marzocchi Z2 X Fly, XTR groupo, Race Face cranks, BB, stem, and bars
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Submitted by
Peter Rooter
a Weekend Warrior
from Kamloops, BCDate Reviewed: July 5, 2004
Strengths: Looks marvelous!Weaknesses: Bottom bearing rustsBottom Line: Worked great until the bottom bearing rusted. It's gonna be a b!tch to get out - I better do it after the kids go to bed and close all the windows so the neighbors can't hear. Do yourself a favour and spend the exra few bucks on a Chris King headset...
Favorite Trail: Sorry, I can't divulge that info
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At: From a buddy
Similar Products Used: Cheap ones that didn't rust
Bike Setup: Kona Lava Dome, Marzocchi Z3 Forks, blah blah blah
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Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from EarthDate Reviewed: May 1, 2004
Strengths: Simple installation
smooth operation
tight tolerancesWeaknesses: Top CapBottom Line: I purchased the entire set of Park headset tools, so installation was a breeze and took about 10 minutes. The headset runs smooth and tolerances are good. However, RaceFace must've spent 2 cents on the top cap. That thing is a piece of junk. When I first held it, I swore I thought it was plastic. Who knows, maybe it is. In any event, unacceptable. Does it affect performance? No, but there's no excuse for a cheap-ass addition to an otherwise fine headset. What the heck, I only paid $45 at Nashbar.
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At: Nashbar
Similar Products Used: Syncros
Ritchey
Bike Setup: The greatest hardtail ever produced, otherwise known as the Yeti A.R.C.
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Submitted by
Mike
from JerseyDate Reviewed: January 12, 2004
Strengths: Looks good. Smooth.Weaknesses: None.Bottom Line: Been beating the crap out of this headset for almost a year and it's smooth as new.
Haven't had many problems with headsets over the years. Don't understand why there are so many bad reviews for headsets in general (all brands). King seems to do well in reviews. I'm sure it's a superb product, but if one reads the reviews, one notices this 'I bought a King and I'm going to tell world how smart I am for choosing it' mentality. Good for King.
Spending over thirty dollars for a headset is crazy, so I guess I'm crazy, but this thing DOES look sharp. MUCH nicer looking than a King. Of course, only a bike geek notices headsets (like me).
Hasn't loosened a bit.
Here's the deal - two cups with high quality sealed bearings pressed into the cup riding on well machined races, what's to loosen (knock on wood)? I think maybe some people have improperly installed headsets.
Warranty is excellent. RaceFace, y'know.
I'd buy again.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At: Deep Cove
Similar Products Used: Tange, Cane Creek, Shimano
Bike Setup: Hardtail
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Submitted by
Len
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, BC, CanadaDate Reviewed: January 6, 2004
Strengths: Built to lastWeaknesses: NoneBottom Line: I'm not so sure the guys who gave this product bad reviews are talking about the same product, or maybe they just didn't install it correctly. I bought mine used SEVEN YEARS AGO. It's been on at least 4 of my bikes, and it's seen a lot of hard miles including a few wet winters here in BC as well of it's share of XC races. I replaced one of the bearings after approximately 5 years of hard use, other than that it's performed flawlessly. Everyone I know who has used this product has had similar experiences. An awesome, bomp-proof headset.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Too many to list
Bike Setup: Brodie Spark HT, but this headset has been on a few of my bikes so far.
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Submitted by
Stinkywiz
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Barbara, CA, USADate Reviewed: October 30, 2003
Strengths: She's purdyWeaknesses: Will not stay tight & plastic rings snap & fall off leaving internals (bearings & races) exposed to elementsBottom Line: Don't waste your money, get a king. I was stupid enough to think it was my frame when I had the same headset on my old 98 heckler. I thought the headtube was ovalized due to the constant loosening & creaking under hard front braking. It was not. I have a new heckler frame for a year now with the same brand (but new) headset & it has the same problems. It wasn't the fork either as I have used two forks with the same result.
Also, the plastic rings (top & bottom) are flimsy & snap. They will sit in the right place, but don't brush up against anything or crash, or they're gone; leaving large gaps for the elements to eat away at the bearings & races. This has happened on both sets I've owned.
I have had a King set I had installed on my M2 Stumpjumper in 1997 after the stock diacomp unit wore out. That set never needed ANY attention & outlasted that frame to be installed on my (now) year-old M4 Stumpjumper. Not a peep out of it, despite changing forks & plenty of abuse.
I will purchase another King unit for my Heckler as soon as I have the funds, I would have had one to begin with but they had nothing but Rasta colors in stock & I wanted the bike ready ASAP. Thats what I get.
Favorite Trail: Not givin' it up
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At: Velopro
Similar Products Used: King, diacomp, & others
Bike Setup: 03 Heckler w/z-1, (used psylo but its blown & flexy)
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Submitted by
kevin gordon
a Downhiller
from Fayetteville New YorkDate Reviewed: September 6, 2003
Strengths: very strong does not loosen up, sealed bearings work great.Weaknesses: none so far!Bottom Line: this is a great headset for the price. Now that i have used sealed bearings i will never go back, if u have 90$ to spend and need a good headset that will last you buy the Race Face Real Seal headset. worth the money
Favorite Trail: jimminy peak
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At: jensonusa.com
Similar Products Used: pig dh headset
Bike Setup: k2 evo 3 with 02 jr.t hayes mech and lx drivetrain
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Submitted by
Kevin Yee
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch NewZealandDate Reviewed: September 4, 2003
Strengths: Great price,looks hotter than my wife and my girlfriend combinedWeaknesses: Crap bearing only last a year max, poor quality seals blamedBottom Line: Great looks, poor bearings.
Looks great but not enough for me to reccomend to friends.
Blow me get a Chris king or Hope (UK rocks!!!!!!!!!!)
Favorite Trail: Craigeburn crown range
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$85.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Hope enduro, other assorted crap ball bearing HS
Bike Setup: Bla bla bla XTR bla bla Race face bla bla Hope......
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Reviews 1 - 9 (9 Reviews Total)
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