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Submitted by
Jools
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Had mine for 10 years at least. Used on two frames and still going strong | | Weaknesses: | Yeah, right | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Isis with parts that last. | | Bottom Line: | Grease is your friend if you don't like spending money!! My C2 looks as good as new inside after several thousand miles of hard riding. A headset is just a bearing after all, it's not rocket science no matter what the marketers would have you believe. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sandra
a
from Redding, CA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Bottom Line: |
At about a fraction of the price of a Chris King, this product beats Chris King hands down if installed correctly. I used to buy Chris King products, until I realized I was just subsidizing their next move with the high prices. I'm sure next time they will move to Toronto, citing lack of quality coffee in Portland or some other silly excuse. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy Patterson
a Downhiller
from Centennial, Co - USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Paid In Full | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Village | | Strengths: | Cheap and Durable | | Weaknesses: | None that I can tell yet. Not King or Race Face??? | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face, FSA, King and WTB | | Bike Setup: | Azonic Ds-1 DJ/4x | | Bottom Line: | Great headset for the price. I like it. It has been every bit as good as any King headset I have purchased before. But I guess time will tell.
I have read what the guys above said but I haven't experienced anything of the sort. It been perfect. It's on it's second Colorado Winter and a Hard soggy Sping and Summer of Riding in Colorado and Texas. The Headset has been perfect so far!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Akos Kun
a Weekend Warrior
from Sf. Gheorghe, Romania
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | cheap, cartridge system, works smoothly(so far...) | | Weaknesses: | not sealed enough | | Similar Products Used: | steel NECO headsets (piece of crap, but cheaper than any other and works fine if cleaned regularly) | | Bike Setup: | 16½magellan draco (2003), Manitou Six(2004), deore, continental tires... | | Bottom Line: | Actually, it´s an aheadset c2, but it´s the same, isn´t it? I had to urgently change my headset on the way way home, so I had no other choice (I´m a little low on cash these days...). I didn´t know what I was buying, but I think it has worth what I´ve paid for it. Still better then the good old neco, which literally fell apart(after 6 months of usage, a broken fork, some nasty landings, and a few botttom brackets :)... if you can get it at the same price I did, it´s the best buy out there, but it´s not worth $60... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Falls Church
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Not the ligthest. Steel parts require grease (duh!) | | Similar Products Used: | Chris King, Ringle, Ritchey | | Bike Setup: | commuter/beater bike. | | Bottom Line: | After reading all the negative reviews I was a little nervous on what I would find in my HS when I went to service it. To my surprise the bearings and cups looked brand new. Must have been that nickles worth of grease I packed the bearings with during installation! For God's sake people, use a little common sense.
The only truly perpetual renewable resource is human stupidity. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nash
a Weekend Warrior
from newport news
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | solid, clean looking, smooth turning | | Weaknesses: | a little play with rigid forks on the front (saves wieght over suspension forks), seals don't seal so you need to use a cover of some sort, ex. bike tube, lizard skin | | Similar Products Used: | aheadset, stock GT | | Bike Setup: | 98 rockhopper, deore mix, STX, selle italle, kore, cane creek, panaracer | | Bottom Line: | excellent, smooth running headset, you just need to seal it and you'll be fine. it leaves a little play with my rigid forks up front, but oh well, it turns smooth with precision. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikerguy
a Cross Country Rider
from seattle, wa
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skookum Flats | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | Worked well when conditions were dry. | | Weaknesses: | Packed up with mud after one (one!) wet ride.
So packed that when it dried the handlebars wouldn't turn. | | Similar Products Used: | Dia-Compe, Syncros, WTB grease guard | | Bike Setup: | XC w/ discs | | Bottom Line: | If it lets in water it probably lets in dirt when it's dry
(no obvious labyrinth seal). There's lots of other
headset choices so I'd say stay away.
I put an inner tube ``boot' around the bottom,
I hope that works well enough.
I don't know how much they cost (came on my bike) so
it's hard for me to give it a value rating. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Kitchener, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Huron Industrial Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | Worked for 6 months | | Weaknesses: | it's a piece of crap | | Similar Products Used: | KING | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar pro, King headset, Manitou Mars C | | Bottom Line: | DO NOT buy this headset! If you have it stock on your bike buy a King. After 6 months of riding started to get play. Figured it just needed adjustment. After adjusting it it was fine for 3 months. I overhauled it and saw all the wear marks and gouges so I sold it for $.50. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Manitoba Canada
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Birch (closed now, sob) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | easy maintainance, but arent they all really? | | Weaknesses: | poor seals | | Similar Products Used: | generic aheadset, king, tried others but havent owned them... | | Bike Setup: | used mostly on road bike | | Bottom Line: | This head set is OK. I havent had too many problems with the bearings. It isn't the smoothest in the world especially after wet conditions but its not something that I could really feel at the bars while riding. The seals dont keep out much crap so this is something that you will have to make sure you maintain and pack with good water proof grease.
I wouldnt suggest getting this headset for your mountain bike if you ride in the muck/wet, but in dry conditions it should be fine. BOttom line, there are better choices for the cash.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Arjen
a Racer
from Leiden Netherlands
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | fits in a low budget bike | | Weaknesses: | Poor sealing, use headset cover | | Similar Products Used: | ritchey logic | | Bottom Line: | Spend some more. For a better one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonas
a Racer
from Basel, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | ??? It looks good... | | Weaknesses: | Bad bearings and my lower cup has broken! | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Fuzzy Pro, Chris King, Ritchey Scuzzy Pro | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tazer FS, X-Vert Super, Race Face, MRP, SDG, Azonic Bar, XTR, XT Disc | | Bottom Line: | This Headset sucks, I had to replace the bearings after two months and after 3 months the lower cup has broken where the frame ends. It wasn't an accident, the superlight Fork is like new!
The Ritchey Fuzzy Logic is much better and cheaper, and Chris King is still unbeaten. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stu Thomas
a Racer
from Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anglesea firetrails & bayside commute | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Inexpensive & robust (provided it's looked after properly) | | Weaknesses: | Fiddly maintenance. Not really "sealed" | | Similar Products Used: | various stock | | Bike Setup: | Iron horse ARS 9.0, many non-stock bits | | Bottom Line: | This set is now 4 years old & I ride b/w150-200 kms a week in all weathers. It's still smooth and easy turning - the secret to maintenance on these is to clean out stock grease and PACK it with a quality waterproof grease AND use a lizard skin or an old pice of inner tube over the bottom cups - my riding is almost all seaside and I have no rust in the top or bottom race. I just strip it down once a couple of times a year, repack it, slip on a new scrap of inner tube and no worries at all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed A.
a Cross Country Rider
from Washignton, D.C.
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Planet Earth | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | www.pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Good looks. Price. Performance. | | Weaknesses: | Very careful installation required. | | Similar Products Used: | Several. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000 frame with many fine components. | | Bottom Line: | This headset gets very mixed reviews. In my experience, the quality of installation determines the outcome. After my first installation attempt, the steering was sticky and tight. I read through some MTBR reviews and Cane Creek's installation instructions again, then uninstalled and reinstalled the headset. The second time, I used a liberal amount of Shimano headset grease on the bearings, cups and steerer tube. An entire season of biking later, the headset is still perfect - smooth and easy to turn.
It looks good, works well and was very reasonably priced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruce Dance
a Cross Country Rider
from Blighty
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Helvellyn | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | various via mail order | | Strengths: | Cheap, strong, easy to maintain, exceptionally smooth. | | Weaknesses: | sealing, easy to misunderstand/abuse. Occasional burr on bearing race edges needs removing for smooth running. | | Similar Products Used: | Campy, Stronglight, FSA, Chris King, Tange, etc etc etc | | Bike Setup: | various- I have several.eg- Marin Team Ti, XT, Ti seatpost, 517's X-lite bits etc | | Bottom Line: | I posess three of these headsets. The cartridge bearings in this headset contain as many loose balls as possible, on smooth precision ground races. This means that this headset is STRONG. Probably amongst the strongest headsets with ball bearings in the bottom race. Roller bearing headsets may be stronger but WHEN (not if...) the water gets in the bearing will be completely wrecked very quickly. As others have noted a small amount of corrosion will not significantly impair the operation of this headset. If the bottom race does get too rough, you can swap it for the top one as they are the same. You can pop out the little plastic ring from the bearing, and rebuild with PROPER WATERPROOF GREASE. This is VITAL if you don't want to get a rust attack, as the factory grease is not waterproof, contains no corrosion inhibitors, and there is usually very little of it. All headsets let the water in eventually (even my King, yeah...), so its not a matter of IF its just WHEN you have to do some maintenance, and this is about as easy as it gets on this headset. I ride 52 weeks a year here in the UK, regardless of the weather (and I think you should know it rained in some parts of the UK 150days straight last year), and my typical daily ride is about 25 miles half tarmac, half mud.
Whichever bike gets jetwashed right away, and as there is no seal on the top race you can only wash DOWN here, and as the seal is not resistant to 50000psi water on the bottom go only down or sideways here, and little if any water gets in. TIPS: 1. The bearings may not align/seat perfectly when first fitted; turn the steering as far as possible each way, go for a short ride, turn again and then adjust the preload correctly. 2. rebuild bearings with copious waterproof grease. 3. Check for water ingress every three months, use GT85 etc to shift moisture, but leave grease alone if it's still clean. 4. Rebuild with fresh grease once a year or as required. 5. Wash bike carefully, never upside down. 6. Marvel at the smoothness, enjoy...
:-)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Mahon
a Weekend Warrior
from Princeton, NJ
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | i dunno | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson? | | Strengths: | Cheap..i guess. | | Weaknesses: | rusty...very rusty | | Similar Products Used: | nothing | | Bike Setup: | C Dale RW700, Ellsworth Joker, both with c2s | | Bottom Line: | This refers to the roadbike. I hadnt inspected the headet sinc3e i got the bike May 12th 02, but when i did this morning i found the whole bottom half was filled with rust, it seems to emanate from the crown race and the cartridge bearings. I dunno, i guess now im saving up for a king. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wa90
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Nirvana Cycles | | Strengths: | It's a headset | | Weaknesses: | Very poor design traps sand and moisture. I can't see this surviving more than 1 UK winter (if that).
Looks crap once installed (way too bulky looking) | | Similar Products Used: | Crappy stock headsets mainly | | Bottom Line: | This headset has an odd design on the lower part that seems tailor made to collect tiny particles of sand or grit every time I go out riding, even in the dry. It makes my steering sound awful and grindy until the next ride. I hate having noisy bike bits, and this is on par with squealing brakes and rattly bottle cages.
I won't be buying another one, especially when there's cheaper FSA ones that seem to perform so much better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, MA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | it works for several months | | Weaknesses: | it ONLY works for several months!!!! | | Bottom Line: | this headset is horrible. i used it for 6 months, now it's all messed up.
i just replaced it with chris king. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan
a
from London UK
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Increases the excitement of my daily commute by giving me that "about to be thrown into the traffic" feeling. Frequency of servicing makes you proficient at headset maintenance. | | Bike Setup: | 02 Specialized Stumpy FSRXc Pro | | Bottom Line: | I may have the wrong Cane Creek headset - this review relates to the Cane Creek model which came stock on my '02 stumpy pro. I (or rather my extremely experienced LBS) swapped it out before the bike had left the store for a (three year old, never lubed, never adjusted but perfectly functioning) King, moved the Cane Creek to my old Zaskar which gets used to ride to and from work.
This is a terrible headset. Yes, its worse than a King, but then there are few pieces of equipment which perform as well as a King (and Kings aren't cheap). I have used Race Face, Chorus (on my roadie), cheap FSA models, and (before I began to spend silly money on bikes) cheap Taiwanese/Chinese models with no name, all for longer periods than the Cane Creek. I can say with some confidence that the Cane Creek is by far the most abysmal piece of kit I have ever had the misfortune to have attached to my bike. I am astonished it was specced on a bike as expensive as the FSRXc Pro. The answer to the question "How long you have used the product?" is "too long". | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LiGHT
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, MD
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon....hey its 5min from my place | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$32.00 | | Purchased At: | Web | | Strengths: | It works...YuH! | | Weaknesses: | none...just the little seals some times get crappy and you can get some new ones fro $2 online | | Similar Products Used: | Lame aheadset that wore out in 6mo | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4900 compleatly upgraded w/XT and a Duke SL100 | | Bottom Line: | I have had no problems with this headset...at first I installed it I had put way too much grease in and around the cups and sealed berrings... it leaked out and I had to wipe it clean every other ride... finally after 6mo of that I tore it down...and found it just as I left it...everything inside was nice and clean.... I repacked it put in lesss grease this time around. I also replaced the seals around the bottom its like $2 for em on the web. I put grease in mine...just because its sealed is no reason one shouldent pack her up... it helps keep water out. It sounds like all the "rusted reviews" are from water getting in there. I put a nice coat inside the cup and then put in the bettings...then a nice coat ontop of the berring... Id say at least a 2mm coat. I ride pretty hard and this thing hasent let me down...I have done at least a hundred 4-5ft drops w/this thing...and its never shuttered...squaled...clinked or poped...I love em...I recommend em... just make sure you tighten the stack down good first..not too tight not too loose...Id torq to spec. :)
~LiGHT | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Xavery
a Cross Country Rider
from PL
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | huh? | | Weaknesses: | no protection from mud; loosening; self-disassembling cartridges | | Similar Products Used: | DiaCompe, FSA, and stuff | | Bike Setup: | Hot Chili Zymotic, Z1 X.Fly | | Bottom Line: | From the very beginning used with neoprene boots though it didn't seem to help anyway. When I disassmebled them after 3 months of riding lower cartridge opened itself up throwing balls everywhere. They make cool creaking noise when riding in mud.
Even less expensive FSA headset lasted 10 times more(and still works)...
I thought they'd work... Saving money for RooX | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Lafayette, IN
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | Looks | | Weaknesses: | Guts. "sealed" bearings which seem to draw in moisture and leave the bearings swimming in rust. | | Similar Products Used: | Chris King (both are headsets but that's where the similarity ends) | | Bike Setup: | Surly Cross Check used as a fixed gear or as a cross bike | | Bottom Line: | I purchased this headset 1.5 years ago to go with my new Surly. I figured cane creek makes decent headsets and they're cheap so why not? Who wants an expensive fixed gear anyway? Well, I'll tell you why not, with only 600 miles of commuting and indoor storage, the bottom bearing assembly rusted. Even the lower cup was coated in rust that leaked from the "sealed" bearing. Amazingly, I found this during routine maintence, there was no indication from stearing play or notching. I've never had a headset rust out this fast before. I hear I can get a replacement bearing, but why? It'll probably just rust out in 3 months as so many others have found.
Chris King all the way! Definatly worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Coed-y-Brenin, The Peaks & local | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | The bits you see are pretty. | | Weaknesses: | The bits you don't see but have to do the work are crap!
So ok for poseurs.
Cheap bearings, crap seals. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Impact (ace), Ritchey Logic (crap) Shimano STX, Campag Chorus & Athena (road bikes) and various OEM cheap cup and cones. | | Bike Setup: | Marin Rift Zone, stock set-up except HS.
Trek 8000 rigid with STX HS. | | Bottom Line: | Spend a bit more and get a decent HS that will last. I've just replaced the C2 after a year with a FSA Orbit Extreme which has great reviews on this site. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Sheffield
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Peak District | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | lightweight, cost | | Weaknesses: | lower ballrace rusting very quickly | | Similar Products Used: | WTB, Ritchey, Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Merlin WCS, Judy Race, LX running gear,Avid Arch rival 5.0, Titanium bars, seatpost Mavic 517 on LX hubs | | Bottom Line: | Even though I have had a neoprene boot on the crown race ever since it was fitted on my bike and I do regular maintenance on the bike the lower ball race turned into a rusty mess in the last six months even though the bike has only been used a few times in that period for going to work on, which is only one mile (no off roading due to injury). The bike is kept indoors and so I see that there is no reason for this to happen so easily on a bike that is looked after and maintained after every ride and that includes keeping the hose away from the area to stop water getting in that way, in fact I have a Shimano headset on my usual commuting bike that has lasted for ten years without any problem of rusted bearings so I just think that the bearings are of poor overall quality | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Racer
from California
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Resolution | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | weight | | Weaknesses: | didn't last | | Similar Products Used: | King | | Bike Setup: | Custom Fuel 100 (24lb XL) | | Bottom Line: | I screwed up the bearings in less than 6 months and I only weigh 150 -- I ride hard but I don't huck of drops. Don't buy one- Buy a King instead they are much better | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricksom
a Racer
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Inexpensive
Works great if you get a good one! | | Weaknesses: | Seems like quality control, or should I say product consistency, is a BIG PROBLEM! | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Headset | | Bike Setup: | - A Rocky Mountain Vertex hardtail
AND
- A Rocky Mountain Instinct full suspension
Both with Marz Atom suspension forks | | Bottom Line: | O.K., I think I can provide a comprehensive review of this product since I own 2 of these headsets on 2 separate bikes!
The first C-2 I bought for my racing hardtail 2 seasons ago, and have not had any problems at all. I ride 3 seasons of the year around the Toronto, Canada area.
The second C-2 I bought earlier this year for my full suspension, and after 2 months of riding, it constantly stiffened up after each ride. I would have to yank the handlebar back and forth 180 degrees to loosen it up again, only to have it stiffen up again after a ride. Now, it is at the point where turning has become difficult.
Sent the bike to my bike shop, and they measured all sorts of things. No ovalized head tube. True and flush head tube ends. True circular steerer tube. No contamination of bearings.
Replaced the 2nd C-2 with Chris King headset.
Overall, nice headset if you are lucky to get a good one. Take your chances!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came on new bike | | Strengths: | It's inexpensive. | | Weaknesses: | It performs like an inexpensive headset. | | Similar Products Used: | Chris King | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer | | Bottom Line: | My new bike came with the C2, and I got just under 1 full season out of it before it developed severe play. It all started soon after I flew my bike the second time. It never was the same after I put the fork back in last fall. I upgraded to a Chris King and have disassembled & reassembed half a dozen times with no problems. I'm sold on King headsets. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from SouthCarolina
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tour de' Dump & Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Strengths: | Looks good. Bearings are available seperately for only $15.
(You will need to purchase a lot of extras) | | Weaknesses: | No protection from the elements | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight- XTR< XTR< XTR< Thompson< Rolf< Easton | | Bottom Line: | The only good thing about this headset is the bearing are available seperately...cheap. It worked good for about 5 months then overnight it siezed up. I took apart the headset to find the "sealed" bearings were so corroded that you could hardly rotate the bearings in the cartridge. I purchased new bearings and top and botom lizard skins. And what do you know....They corroded again in less than 2 months. I would not recommend this headset to anyone. Go ahead and buy a Chris King/Race Face and save money(a ton of it) in the long run. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Falls Church, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any and all. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | The lizard looks cool and that's about all it has to offer | | Weaknesses: | This headset is shot after five months of riding. | | Similar Products Used: | NA | | Bike Setup: | 98 Schwinn Moab
100% XT Drive Train - 9 speed
XT Shifter/Brake Combo
XTR Brakes
SID XC
USE Alien Seat Post
Selle Italia TA Flite
King Headset
Mavic Crossride Wheels
Salsa Quick Release
Thompson Elite Stem
Panaracer XC Firepro
| | Bottom Line: | Save your money and buy a Chris King headset, it will be the last one you ever buy. I really regret buying the C2. It was replaced last weekend with a CK. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al Campbell
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | No seals, useless.
bearings trashed after 10 rides. | | Similar Products Used: | chris king,race face,fsa, shimano | | Bike Setup: | It now has a Race Face headset. | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy this headset.
FSA for the same money are miles better and their technical support is excellent.
MTB components like this should not be allowed. I'm embarrassed to admit this component was fitted to my bike. I feel it necessary to post a review of this headset to warn other cyclists of its existence hoping that they do not contaminate their bikes with this piece of junk.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carlos Sandros
a Cross Country Rider
from Mexico
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | none | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | - | | Strengths: | Maybe Strong. Don't use enought time. | | Weaknesses: | Bearings don't turn well. It's better on a Wal-Mart bike !!! | | Bottom Line: | ?
Coulour !
But the paint don't stay | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allroy Washere
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, MN
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | I like to ride | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Not too expensive, looks nice. | | Weaknesses: | Not sealed worth a damn, bearings are not good quality and not sealed. | | Similar Products Used: | Diacompe Aheadsets | | Bike Setup: | Voodoo D-Jab with a Z2 Bomber | | Bottom Line: | I bought this because it was a pretty cheap headset that came with 'cartidge bearings.' I had never seen a 'cartridge bearing' that wasn't sealed before. Silly me, I assumed the bearings would be sealed. They're not. In fact, the bearings are crappy as hell. I wrecked a set in a month just from water getting in there and coroding the hell out of them. Even the ultra cheap and not at all swanky Diacompe Aheadsets are sealed better, last longer, run smother, and stay in adjustment better that this Cane Creek model. I figure that any after market headset that costs more than a Diacompe headset should be better quality. I was really disapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sensible Nick
a Downhiller
from Shrewsbury, shropshire, UK
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything fast, and near vertical. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | proper bike co. UK | | Strengths: | cheap, strong, basic, and looks cute. | | Weaknesses: | not sealed well enuff. | | Similar Products Used: | FSA, chris Kings, tiago stuff... loads | | Bike Setup: | 14" dual/duel/bsx frame
z1 drop-offs
Hope open system calipers with pro levers,
LX rear Mech
Dmr Speedguide elite
Lx splinedrive bb and cranks with 42t chainring
bulb hubs black spokes (tart) and D321 rims
CAN CREEK HEADSET | | Bottom Line: | Strong, durable cheap and available.
LOOK AFTER YOUR BIKE AND THEY OFFER NO PROBLEMS.
the build quality, finish and support (from the shops) is good, as its the final product.
I'm here in old Blighty, and the weather is usually pants.
slap a liard skin neoprene cover on the bottom race, spray it with WD40 (or similar) to keep the water off/out, and stop whining.
some guy has even said that it dents easily?!?!?
WHAT THE FAH...?
ok.. so maybe XC riders are ment to ride into trees, but I try not to.
Good headset. If you like taking care of your bike, and your going to slap a neoprene cover over the bottom race (cos it makes sene) it'll do you the world of good.
for other people (those who winge about this great headset)... go buy a Chris King.... you know it's a more sensible option than getting a teenyweeny bit of neoprene isn't it......hmmm?
same as usual. people slate a perfectly good peice of kit, cos they don't know how to look after it.
PROBLEM:
'bearings need constant adjustment every ride' (quote from a review)
SOLOUTION:
1. tighten your stem
2. put the bearing cups into the frame properly.
3. check that yout steere tube is stuck in your crown properly.
*grumble*
5 fer value,
4 fer the lack of good seals.
I run two of these currently, and have had no probs at all.. love them.
cheers Creekie boys. ('n girls)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtnchar
a Cross Country Rider
from Pollock Pines, CA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Nice Looking | | Weaknesses: | This headset is binding up after only a few dry dirt trails. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, King | | Bike Setup: | Habanero Ti, XT, Marzocchi Z2 Atom 80 | | Bottom Line: | Don't use this headset. Mine already sounds rough inside from 200 miles of easy dry trails (just dusty). Now I've got to take it apart again and regrease. As soon as I get a chance I'm replacing it. I've never had a headset this bad. My old Trek has some crappy house brand headset that still turns nice and smooth after 9 years. This one is getting gritty and binding after only 200 miles or so of riding. I can't believe what a joke this headset is. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick
a
from london
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Bottom Line: | Maybe i have just been lucky but i installed this over a year ago and left it for like 6 months without touching it. I then looked inside and saw a lot of crap in there so i put on a lizard skins thingy. I havent touched it since. At no point ever has this headset performed anything other than perfectly. This headset it dirt cheap and doesnt mess up, even if you are a lazy ass like me! BUY ONE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fonseca
a Cross Country Rider
from the shenandoah valley
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$33.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson | | Strengths: | cheap, can get 3 for the cost of one king | | Weaknesses: | no seals | | Similar Products Used: | fsa XL2, fsa orbit extreme, misc aheadsets | | Bike Setup: | 2001 jamis dakar expert | | Bottom Line: | I will never understand why people buy suspension forks without boots, and then complain when the bushings are destroyed by mud. The same goes for headsets. If there are no seals you add them, be it fork wipers or lizard skins headset seals (or a section of tube for that matter). I will post again in 6 months or so for a final review, but so far I am very pleased. I loaded the cups with ball bearing grease and slipped on a 2" section of inner tube. That's all there is to keeping a headset low-maintainance and working great (provided you take a peek at the cartridges every now and then). I don't think there is a better headset available for anywhere close to this price. Jenson shipped me the S2 model by the way. It's pretty. It works as well as the fsa orbit extreme at half the cost. 5 chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a
from London
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | It's fine for the money | | Weaknesses: | It's not well sealed | | Bottom Line: | What rubbish from the last few posts I live in London and ride a good 100miles off road every week mostly in the mud. I have never had to adjust it and simply replaced the cartridge bearings after a year for £8.00.
If your stems on tight how can the bearings go loose???
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | City Park, Austin | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | It looks like a headset. | | Weaknesses: | It is impossible to adjust correctly. The bearings either bind or have an unacceptable amount of play. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Dia-Compe clones, Chris King. | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager Privateer, z2 Atom 80, KING Headset, 747's, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I purchased this HS because I was told that it provides good performance for the price. Don't waste your money, this headset is more trouble than it is worth. It requires constant attention to maintain correct bearing tension. It required adjustment at least once per ride. The mechanic at my LBS could not properly adjust this component either. (It isn't just me.)This is inexcusable considering the fact that none of the other threadless headsets (cheap OEM included) that I have tried exhibit this problem. I replaced this HS with a King and have had no problems since. Save yourself some frustration and buy something else. I wish I'd read the reviews before purchasing this turd of a headset. It might make a good paperweight, or maybe a doorstop. Best of luck to those who have had no problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Parkes
a Weekend Warrior
from Santiago, Chile
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | El Molino | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Looks Cool | | Weaknesses: | Fills with dirt and begins to grind after a couple of rides. Especially bad in dusty terrain. | | Bike Setup: | Zaskar LE 2000 | | Bottom Line: | I Can't believe this headset came on a $ 3000 bike. The headset on my friend's $ 500 GT works better. I understand that bikes need constant maintenance but this just goes too far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Pembroke, Ma.
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hare 'n Hound | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Good looks, hmmm, yeah, good looks. | | Weaknesses: | cartridge bearings not sealed, much maintenance required. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Owl Hollow, XT, Sid XC,1 1/8 threadless | | Bottom Line: | I,m a guy that doesn't mind spending some time maintaining my bikes, but, jeez man, this headset is almost an after-every-ride thing. The conditions are definitely not the best up here and that has played a role in this, too. I will say that it looks great and other than the regreasing it handles well. Maybe better suited to a road bike. I got this as original equipment with my bike, so when the bearings are beyond repair, I'll be in the market for something a little less labor intensive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SFA
a
from Stillwater, NJ
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | universal cycles | | Strengths: | looks good | | Weaknesses: | bearings, seals | | Similar Products Used: | fsa orbit dl, uf, king, generic crap | | Bike Setup: | lx/xt specialized rockhopper, z4 | | Bottom Line: | The headset was smooth when it was new but there is only ONE crappy rubber seal in the entire thing on the crown race. The cartridge bearings are not sealed at all and if you look at them you can see the bearings inside. It gets filled with dirt and rust real quick. Because of the cartridge you cant even get the crud out. Once it wears out a little it gets sloppy and cant be tightened. It looks nice but doesnt work. fsa headsets are much better and the prices are great. I put a conix on it anyway. I think ill be buying a new one. Even though it was free with my fork its still not a good deal. Unless its free I wouldnt pay much for one. Keep looking if you want a headset that doesnt need much maintenance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom martin-harris
a Weekend Warrior
from england
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | Looks nice | | Weaknesses: | bearins and stuff | | Similar Products Used: | FSA 3d | | Bike Setup: | brisa frame kit-TRIALS | | Bottom Line: | The headset was very poor, the sealing didn't last+ it lead to me eventually snapping my forks! It continuely loosened and so forth! FSA 3d has been good so far | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ed
a Cross Country Rider
from mi
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Strengths: | looks good
seems pretty tough
cartridge bearings
low stack height | | Weaknesses: | not sealed
heavy (140 g.) | | Similar Products Used: | most basic headsets | | Bike Setup: | baracuda comp
all xt
judy sl
easton carbon accessories | | Bottom Line: | This headset does not contain "sealed" bearings as most people would understand the term. Cane Creek is misleading a lot of people when they claim this. In fact, they are simply cartridge bearings, meaning that they are not open "caged bearings" as most manufacturers use. THere is absolutely nothing in the design that substantially "seals" out water or crud. Despite this bit of a misrepresentation, the headset is as good as ony other out there from the standpoint of materials and durability. But even that statement is a bit misleading. The bottom line is that most headsets, from the likes of chris King, down to the basic $25.00 units are capable of equal performance. Most use the same type of cups, usually alloy, and they all use similar quality steel bearings, albiet some cartridge, others caged. THe only real difference between headsets are weight and level of maintenance. Any one who has worked on many bikes or owned many know this to be the case. I have seen properly maintained low-end headsets outlast poorly maintained $150.00 units. Sealed headsets, such as the s-5, WTB models, and Chris King models stand out not because they are designed much different from other units or because they are made drastically better, but because they are extremely low maintenance and low weight. What makes them low maintenance is their well-designed seals. What makes them low weight is the same thing that makes many $30 headsets low weight: simplicity in design and alloy cups. Its not that hard to find $30 headsets that weight within 10-15 grams of a Chris King. However, you will rarely have to rebuild a king because it is well-sealed. There is a simple solution to this, and many people are starting to realize it--seal the headset yourself either with lizard skins or pieces of an old innertube. If you do this and keep the headset properly adjusted, it will last long-enough to be a much better deal than spending 3-4 times as much on a high-end unit. That being said, I'll return to the C2. THe reason I liked this unit is because I thought it looked better than most units out there and because it has cartridge bearings. To me, looks of a headset are critical. But since I liked the looks of this headset I obviously couldn't cover it up with an innertube to seal it. THat's okay because I am also a person who believes maintenance. There is nothing that cracks me up more than boneheads who ride their bikes through extreme conditions yet don't know a damn thing about maintianing and tuning their bikes. Those are usually the ones who write scathing reviews about products claiming they fell apart on them (see below). AN UNSEALED HEADSET SHOULD BE REBUILT OFTEN! I rebuild mine about every 6 weeks. People who know do this (as well as a host of other maintenance tasks) atleast that often. So, what makes this headset great is the ease of which to rebuild it. Since it has cartridge bearings, it is not messy to take apart or put back together. Its also the cheapest unit on the market with cartridge bearings. The cartridges are easy to dissassmble when I need to do a complete rebuild and easy to work with when I do a partial rebuild. A tip with these is to grease the the cups well, this will act as a partial seal for the cartridges. Normal caged bearing units will have dirt work its way into the bearing quickly no matter how well you grease them. These units, although not sealed as would be classically understood, will stay clean longer than caged bearing units. So the partial rebuild would only involve poping out the cartridges, wiping them and the cups clean, regreasing, and popping them back in. This is about 1/3 the effort required to rebuild a basic headset. THen, at least once a season, or even more often depending on conditions, disassemble and clean the cartridges and regrease them. THis is pretty tricky because the bearings can go all over the place on you. just do it over a bucket and its easy. If this seems intimidating to you, Buy a Chris King. But don't get a false sense of security with a unit like that. Sometimes the seals fail. I know many who have dropped a wad on a sealed headset and bragged about how they have not had to rebuild them for two and a half years. Then, suddenly the unit starts to grind. The next thing they know, they have to dish out another $130 bucks.
Finally, a major disadvantage of the c-2 is that this is probably the heaviest headset over $40 that you can buy. Its about 20 grams over average, but that is really no big deal. Considering that the unit has handled my riding and still performs ast it did the day I bought it, I give it 5 chilis. You should know that I put in about 20 hours a week and usually start out the season at 240lbs and end it at around 220lbs. If it can hadle me, it can handle anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Sealed Bearings
Looks
Smooth feel
Cane Creek quality
price | | Weaknesses: | none! NONE! | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar, Mars C, LX-XT-XTR, etc | | Bottom Line: | Great headset. Smooooooth!!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Miller
a Racer
from Chico CA
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Wheel | | Strengths: | Sealed cartridge bearings, Very cool grafix, good quality construction, and as smooth as silk. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | FSA Orbit DL | | Bike Setup: | Too much to list | | Bottom Line: | This headset is worth the money. It's build quality is very good and it was easy to install. My FSA was just caged ball bearings top and bottom, needless to say it wasn't the smoothest. The Cane Creek C2's seals are very good too. The upper seal is a cup that covers the entire top of the headset and the bottom one is fine when used in conjunction with a Lizard Skins seal. Iv'e had not problems with it so far and have been completely impressed, I would have paid $100 for this thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mario Javier
a Weekend Warrior
from Oakville, ON Canada
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kelso,Hardwood | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath Oakville 905-338-0783 | | Strengths: | Quality and price | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Tioga which is original part on my bike. | | Bike Setup: | GF Joshua, RS Judy XC, Raceface, full XT | | Bottom Line: | I had this headset now for almost two years and I don't have any complain. It seems to me that most problems encountered by other reviewer are noise and dirt accumulations. It may be the improper installations that caused the noise. I had mine installed by an excellent mechanic and the headset was properly seated to the head tube. He did a little bit of machining to make it fit and so far I have not heard of any noise or creaking sound. I don't have any sign of dirt accumulations because I used a lizard skins to cover it. I also used Finish line grease to combat any dirt. So far the headset works just like when I first purchased it.
I recommend this headset. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bungyfish
a Cross Country Rider
from Wichita Falls, TX
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | looks good... | | Weaknesses: | makes alot of noise, dents real easy, crappy seal on the bearings (lower) | | Similar Products Used: | WTB, King | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8900SL, XT/LX drive, Sram 9.0SL, Bontrager Race wheels | | Bottom Line: | This headset is ok for a mid/lower end bike or maybe a lightweight rider. WTB is better for the same price range. I installed when I built up my 8900 and the first time I went out I thought my frame was cracking it made so much noise. I removed it and greased the heck out of it and that helped a little but it still creaked pretty steadily. I dealt with it for about 2 months and then went back to a WTB. When I removed it the lower seal was shot and hello MR. Bearing! Spend the money and buy a King or save it and go WTB or Aheadset. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Gainesville, FL
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint.com | | Strengths: | Cheap, looks nice | | Weaknesses: | Crappy bearings | | Similar Products Used: | FSA | | Bike Setup: | Specialized, SXR | | Bottom Line: | Good mid-range headset. The bearings are cheap and come loose easily. Use copious grease in the cups to prevent odd noises. (Actually, just grease everything for good measure.) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Alexander
a Racer
from Kingston, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kelso O-Cup | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | slick looking top cap...(I had to say something nice about it) | | Weaknesses: | Everything else. The thing has crappy bearings, no way of sealing out water, is a pain in the butt to rebuild, if you remove your fork, be careful that the bearings do not fall out on the floor. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB, RaceFace, Slama Jama | | Bike Setup: | Giant 890, Hayes Disks, Slama Jama Headset (threw the Cane Creek Out), XT/XTR. | | Bottom Line: | This headset sucks...Sure it is a lower price, but there are cheaper, better headsets out there (like little rocks inside plastic cups). I even had one fall apart in my bike shop on a new bike!!!! The bike hadn't been ridden, nor had the headset been touched, but a little kid pushed on the fork to see what it felt like and I heard the balls drop inside the headtube. Now that is what I call quality!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex
a Racer
from mtn home, ark
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | i forget | | Strengths: | hmm | | Weaknesses: | poor construction | | Similar Products Used: | wtb, chris king, aheadset | | Bike Setup: | 9.9 Trek Pro XTR superfly marzok ,frogs, bontrager valiant ceramics. | | Bottom Line: | This headset is worth what its going for now, 35.00. It sure as heck isnt worth what i paid for it. First time i took my shock off the bearings completely fell apart. Cane Creek sent me some new ones but they where the cheap aheadset kind. It doesnt feel near as smooth as my WTB and it's two years old. Save your money and buy something else. I'm done w/ Cane creek. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miguel
a Cross Country Rider
from Spain
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Vereda Enmedio (Cercedilla) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Looks cool | | Weaknesses: | All, bearings, materials, ... | | Similar Products Used: | Threaded headsets | | Bike Setup: | Massi, SXR , XT | | Bottom Line: | Forget about it, you will waste the money, never work on my bycicle, more than 30 min. to adjust, expensive for its quality, makes strange sounds, sucks! Una mierda, vamos , que no lo compres!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ali
a Weekend Warrior
from england
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | er yes i have one | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | cheapish,strongish | | Weaknesses: | pig to get just right
sh*t lower seals | | Similar Products Used: | diacompe | | Bike Setup: | ddg shooter (same as '99 identiti dr jekill) jr t's xc wheels | | Bottom Line: | good price £20
good seals at top
sh*t lower seal (now replaced with big o-ring)
p.s. i didn't get a lower seal with mine
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Florida
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Krusty Knuckle | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Price, sealed cartridge bearings. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Diacompe | | Bike Setup: | GT RTS, SID, Mavic, LX/DEORE, KONA, KORE and Bontrager. | | Bottom Line: | I bought one of these headsets almost two years ago because the OE one sucked and the price was reasonable. I was in Washington State at the time and rain was, well, i'm sure you've heard it rains alot. I learned a trick from a friend that will keep just about any headset low maintenance. What you do is cut an old inner tube so you have two circular bands about 1 to 2 inches wide. Put them around the top and bottom of the headset where water and dirt can get in. You'll need to remove your stem and fork to do it. It's like the Lizard Skins headset sealer only it's water proof and cheap to do. This will keep the inside of your headset dry. It works. This headset (C2) is worth the money and i've never had a problem with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat G
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus OH, USA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Scioto Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Cheap, light, affordable | | Weaknesses: | Bearings don't hold up, cups are pretty thin | | Similar Products Used: | Chris King, been on three bike, and man it just keeps on kicking, superior bearings.. | | Bike Setup: | FSR Expert, Trek Y3, Ellison hardtails (2), Specialized Allez road bike | | Bottom Line: | Well I've got this headset on 4 of my bikes. Cheap price, but you pay for it in the bearings. It's a good design, but The headset cups aren't too thick, they dent easily if you aren't careful..be very careful with the headset press. The bearings get rusty and gungy very quickly. I built an FSR 3 months ago, and the lower cartridge bearing was completely rusted. When I took the fork out, the bearing cartridge seperated, and the ball bearing fell all over the floor. Common theme with my other bikes, the lower bearing is nasty on em all. The cartridge itself is not well sealed, and the little plastic seals on that go around lower race don't seal worth a darn. The headset isn't junk, but the bearings are garbage. One reviever below mentioned lizard skins top and bottom, I think that's a very good ideas. Pack Phil Wood grease around the cartridge bearing when installing, an extra measure of protection | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrejs
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterloo, ON, CAN
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Waterloo Hydro Cut | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Looks pretty cool...
functioned well | | Weaknesses: | Explained below... | | Similar Products Used: | Aheadset
FSA Orbit | | Bike Setup: | 97' Trek Y22 w/Fox Alps 5 & 98 Judy, XTR shift&r.der, Syncros stem, Sun rims | | Bottom Line: | This headset functioned perfectly for the entire time I used it until about 2 week before its demise. I rode this bike all year long. I rode it into the winter. I rode it all winter. I guess the cold or something got to my sealed bearings and rusted them inside out... well it was gradual... over the period of 2 weeks my steering started getting little by little affected by this. Then I had it taken apart... dealer said they couldn't get the sealed bearings for it... whatever... I didn't follow through because I replaced the headset and sold the bike anywayz...
It's a good deal I guess... compared to like RaceFace or Chris King... It's a decent headset and decent price. Just don't get it all covered in slop or ride it all winter | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
f u
a Cross Country Rider
from North of the border
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Whatever I can find | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Looks good, price is right.
| | Weaknesses: | No seals. Not Race Face | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountian, XT, Manitou | | Bottom Line: | I bought this headset because I needed one and it seemed like a safe bet until I could a really good one. No real complaints except that when I took it apart after a couple months of wet and ugly conditions the bottom cup was full of gunk. I used a small piece of inner tube stretched around the bottom cup and that really helped. The bottom always felt loose too no matter what I did to it, I think it was that plastic ring. It was graphic intensive though and it was something to look at, too bad it only comes in black. I'd recommend it for your other bike that you bomb around town on and spend the bucks on a good headset for the rough stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alvin
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Briones Canyon | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Price, Looks, Sealed! | | Weaknesses: |
No protection from the elements, not a superstar like CK | | Similar Products Used: |
FSA Orbit and Ritchey | | Bike Setup: |
Dean Oscar Custom. XTR/XT, Rock Shox SID XC, Mavic 217/GT, RaceFace, SDG, Time ATAC, Bontrager Revolt ST | | Bottom Line: | Have no complaints since my last post. These have held up fine. Solved the non sealed bearing problem with a cheap $1.50 Lizard Skin Headset Wrap. This should keep me from rebuilding this headset for a long time. It's on my soon to be built and reviewed Ventana Marble Peak. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K.C.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Deep South
Date Reviewed: November 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Inexpensive
Cartridge Bearings | | Weaknesses: |
No Seals
Open Cartridge Bearings
Heavy | | Similar Products Used: |
Dia Compe Al
Chris King | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed Hiwassee HT
Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | Another update-I've now owned the C2 for a year. I've only had to rebuild it twice (less than I expected). The bearings are still in decent shape. But in this area, sand and water are a daily occurrence so dumped the C2 for a Chris King. Now I won't have to rebuild a H-set for a long time. I'm giving the C2 more stars because of it's toughness. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alvin
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Briones Canyon | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
weight, stack height, looks | | Weaknesses: |
price, not chris king | | Similar Products Used: |
Ritchey, FSA orbit | | Bike Setup: |
Dean Oscar Custom, XT/XTR mix, SDG Seat, Race Face cranks, Answer Hyperlite/Hyperends, Ame grips, Time ATAC Carbon pedals, Dean Stem/post, Mavic 217/GT CNC wheels, Bontrager Revolt SS tire pair, Sachs PC-51 chain | | Bottom Line: | This is my first sealed cartridge headset and I like it, so far. I thought I purchased Cane Creek's top of the line model, but these work fine. Please see my other reviews for my bike parts under the setup section. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K.C.
a Cross-Country Rider
from the Deep South
Date Reviewed: June 15, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Inexpensive
Cartridge Bearings | | Weaknesses: |
No Seals
Open Cartridge Bearings
Heavy | | Similar Products Used: |
Dia Compe Al | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed Hiwassee HT, Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | I reviewed this product once under Cane Creek H-set. Just an update-Ive rebuilt this h-set just once in the last 6 mos. It's due for another overhaul.Though it lacks seals like the S5 it's bearings are tough. My advice save yourself some time and headaches by spending a little more and buying Cane Creek's excellent h-set the S5. Wish I had. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jo Mamma
a Weekend Warrior
from Wa
Date Reviewed: May 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
This guy is an idiot. If he knew how to set it up and what kind of grease to use then maybe it might work. If he do it himself then why doesn't he have someone who knows how to do it do it for him. And why didn't he send it back right away if it really was a problem. | | Weaknesses: |
Doesn't come in Colors | | Bottom Line: | Yeah, you do get what you pay for, but a got mine for $45 and i think that it works great. A Chris King may be better but it's more than double the price. Just quit whining and buy your parts mail-order. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jo mamma
a Weekend Warrior
from Wa
Date Reviewed: May 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Your a idiot. if you knew how to set it up and used the right grease you wouldn't have any problems. Just Don't be a wanker. And you do get what you pay for, I bought mine for $45
and its well worth it. yeah a Chris King is nice but it's more than double the price. So shut your mouth and buy mail order. | | Weaknesses: |
Doesn't come in colors | | Bottom Line: | Quit your wimpering ya whimp. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RatherBeRiding
a Cross-Country Rider
from Whitby, Ontario
Date Reviewed: May 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Weaknesses: |
Binds up after a few weeks riding | | Bike Setup: |
Chuck CR-FS frame | | Bottom Line: | Not impressed so far. Only had it a month and I find that the steering binds every couple of weeks. need to disassembe and re-grease to get it back. Hate to say it, but although headsets appear to be insanely expensive on a dollars-per-cubic inch basis, you get what you pay for. | | Overall Rating: |
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