Submitted by
Romano
a Weekend Warrior
from Palm Springs, CA, USA Date Reviewed: July 14, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Los Penasquitos Preserve
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar
Strengths:
Inexpensive, light, sealed bearings which are removable when installing the aluminum cups.
Weaknesses:
Bearing cups, the part pressed into the headtube, are made of lightweight aluminum, race is very cheap, covered in rubber to help seal lower bearing.
Similar Products Used:
King & Race Face
Bike Setup:
Have 4 sets, cyclocross & cross country MTB
Bottom Line:
I bought mine on close-out from Nashbar several years ago, the sealed bearing is easily removed when pressing into headset. Wish I had bought more, have not seen them for sale recently. Recommend for Cyclocross or cross country MTB only.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fuse
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: April 14, 2009
Favorite Trail:
The Black Mountain, Wales
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Cotic
Strengths:
Survived the winter race series in the UK, which includes lots of rain, mud and sand. Didn't complain when I maxed out the Psylo forks at 125mm.
Weaknesses:
Bottom bearings eventually turned to dust.
Similar Products Used:
WTB loose ball (i.e. rust magnet), FSA Orbit XL
Bike Setup:
Cotic Soul, Psylo Race forks, XT
Bottom Line:
Probably worth what I paid for them. If I can get replacement bearings, it's totally worth it. That's 3+ years of service for $30.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SamB
a Cross Country Rider
from Juda, WI Date Reviewed: August 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
anything in Fruita CO
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Price point
Strengths:
Affordable, light, durable, dependable
Weaknesses:
Angular design of upper cup is not as asthetically pleasing as other designs.
Similar Products Used:
Ritchey fuzzy logic, tange
Bike Setup:
Two schwinns, one a homegrown (1998), sram shifters and drive train, manitou skareb fork.
Bottom Line:
This has been a no hassle headset. Since installation I have had zero problems with it. Highly recommended. You could spend more for fancier stuff but why? If a headset fails your steering suffers but you aren't going to crash.
I gave it 5 for value, 5 for function.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
corey
a Weekend Warrior
from se usa Date Reviewed: February 8, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
came with new fork
Bottom Line:
bought a new marz fork and this headset came with it. I installed it and have been riding it for about two years. No problems yet. It never gets wet though, if it were to get wet on a regular basis, I think it might crap out quick. I don't think the design would keep water out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron Wixon
a Racer
from Needham, MA, USA Date Reviewed: February 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Holy power which miraculously within this headset which is capable of withstanding the power of a flat to flat 4ft drop from a short standing start. Silent, takes abuse, doesn't seem to mind being naked. (No dustcap)
WTP Thrillseeker, Ti Spindle, Eastern Pro Cranks, Drive MAG pedals, Odyssey Elementary, Odyssey Evolvers, Snafu Astroglide, Macneil bars,seat (sl) & post, Cane Creek S-2, Sun Rhynolite 36H Laced to Redline Sealed Hubs.
Bottom Line:
Odd as this sounds, I've been using it on my 29lb We The People Thrillseeker BMX BIKE. I wasn't able to fit the dust cap over the top bearing cup after discovering my Snafu Gyro was hitting it, so I just took it off. Ive been doing 4ft drops with it very often during the warmer seasons. I bent a 36H Rhynolite rim doing so, but the headset works perfectly. So far, no wear, no noises etc. I got it for free from a fellow bike mechanic so as you would expect, I was incredibly abusive to it. As im writing, my beater bmx bike is sitting in the garage after a fresh ride in the rain with this headset. 5 Chilis for value. It was free. 5 Chilis for overall. Im happy with it and believe it is a quality piece of componentry.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Flagstaff, AZ Date Reviewed: December 20, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Umm, the lizard on the top cap looks cool.
Weaknesses:
I, like at least one other on this forum, experienced one of the cups completely shearing away from the headtube insert. I'm just glad I only paid cost for this thing. I'm also glad I didn't get hurt. It certainly isn't worthy of its $50 price tag. Cane Creek: I hope you address this! I guess it's time to bite the bullet and get another King.
Bottom Line:
I ride pretty hard and pretty fast on a fully rigid 29'er single speed, so my headset takes some abuse, but this is still unacceptable. Cane Creek has a one-year warranty so I doubt they'll help me out, but I wouldn't want another one. I know Cane Creek builds some decent stuff but the S2 headset isn't one of them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BLOPA
a
from ARGENTINA Date Reviewed: July 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
secret
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$18.00
Purchased At:
local store
Strengths:
feeling, hard looking, great sensibility
Weaknesses:
none
Bike Setup:
gt avalanche with upgrades
Bottom Line:
you put, very easy, and you forget
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan Date Reviewed: June 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Fujimi Panarama Course "C"
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Store in Saipan
Strengths:
Price... it works ok.
Weaknesses:
Starts loosening and rattling under heavy use.
Similar Products Used:
Chris King
Bike Setup:
Weyless XP w/ Fox Float RP3, Marzocchi Z.1 FR SL 2004, Mavic EX 729, Shimano Saint Cranks, Shimano Saint Brakes, Shimano XTR front and rear derailluer M751.
Bottom Line:
Not the best out there, but it works somewhat. You get what you pay for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nhel
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines Date Reviewed: January 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
tagaytay,tanay, sta.rosa..
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
cylce art
Strengths:
performs well, money's worth, looks cool
Weaknesses:
none so far
Bike Setup:
G.T aggressor " XC" HARO werks " freeride"
Bottom Line:
value for your money... performs well for 7 years i've used it and still use it today....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SGT. ROCK
a Racer
from Grande Cache, AB Date Reviewed: January 3, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Greenfish
Strengths:
Works Looks good Decent price
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
FSA Orbit XLII, Aheadset STS, Aheadset SE
Bike Setup:
2003 Ventana Pantera w/ 120mm Marzo Marathon S
Bottom Line:
I do agree there are some marginal headsets out there - in fact, I bought the S2 to replace an Aheadset STS that developed an annoying, abrupt slip under heavy braking, due to wear on substandard bearing races. The STS was new, properly installed and adjusted, but it simply could handle what my new Pantera frame could dish out. The S2, on the other hand, has been absolutely trouble free. Even installing a fork with another 20mm of travel (and the subsequent harder riding) had no ill effects.
I suspect that a lot of the complaints about this headset are the result of faulty installation. One guy writes about it working loose the first ride after his shop installed it. Find a new shop, guy - any headset that works loose after the first ride wasn't properly installed, or your frame was damaged prior to install. Either way, the shop is at fault.
My S2 has seen two seasons on top of a five inch fork, and is as tight and smooth as when new. If there is any difference between the Cane Creek and the FSA Orbit XLII (a highly rated headset) on one of my other bikes, I can't see it.
Won't give the S2 a five rating - that's reserved for the legendary King, but as many say, it had better be the best at that price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ivan
a Cross Country Rider
from London Date Reviewed: January 3, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Brixton Cycles
Strengths:
Looks Flash
Weaknesses:
Will not stay adjusted, slackens every ride and can't use front brakes without shuddering of forks. It's seems to be a piece of junk on my bike set up. I have had it in to Brixton Cycles to be looked at a couple of times but problem persists. Have to keep tightening.
Similar Products Used:
N/A
Bike Setup:
Surly Karate Monkey, Mavic 700cc rims, single speed, etc
Bottom Line:
Take a look at how many negative reviews there are on this forum and think about buying something else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Joplin, MO, USA Date Reviewed: September 30, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Anything Dirt
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
www.JensonUSA.com
Strengths:
It works.
Weaknesses:
None come to mind.
Similar Products Used:
Aheadset
Bike Setup:
Fetish Cycles Discipline w/ RockShox Psylo '03. Shimano XT front derailleur, BB, V-brakes, and M440 cranks. Avid Speed Dial brake levers, SRAM 5.0 rear derailleur, SRAM Attack Trigger shifters (8 speed), Sun Rhyno Lite rims w/ WTB Speed XC hubs and Panaracer TrialBlaster 2.1 tires. Some other stuff.
Bottom Line:
Okay, I don't know what much else to say about this product other than it works. I do mostly XC and I use my bike to get across campus to class and I've had no problems at all with this headset. I bought it over a year a go to replace the junk Aheadset that came stock on an older bike and had it reinstalled when I got my new Fetish frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marc
a
from Seattle, WA, USA Date Reviewed: September 20, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Inexpensive. Functional
Weaknesses:
I recently upgraded my frame from a Cane Creek S2 to a Chris King. Through the process I found that the Cane Creek S2 headset had a slightly larger skirt diameter and, thus, had reamed my headtube out just enough to ruin my frame. Granted I could continue to use the Cane Creek, but this none-the-less shows that Cane Creek's tolerances are substandard. That said the headset did work for the duration that I had it installed.
Similar Products Used:
Cane Creek C2, Race Face, Tange Technoglide, Chris King
Bottom Line:
Invest in a company with better quality control.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Churchill
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Rapids, MI Date Reviewed: July 24, 2005
I love finding great products at low prices. You could buy a King for $125 and it better be good at that price. Try finding a quality headset for under $30. The bottom line is this product has worked flawlessly for me, its tough (I had it on 2 frames), and is inexpensive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Cali Date Reviewed: July 15, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
UHHH i guess it looks cool
Weaknesses:
the thing is a piece of sh**
Similar Products Used:
nothing... everything is better
Bottom Line:
Dont buy it. After like 2 rides the whole sealed bearing thing became dissasembled. As Cane Creek quotes "Mountain bikers and road riders who appreciate the difference a superior sealed headset can make in steering precision and longevity." Yeah... barely superior to a piece of poo. If your a mountain biker its a no bye.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lonnie Jackson
a Weekend Warrior
from Lemoore, CA USA Date Reviewed: May 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Buckridge
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Smooth bearings, easy install. Very sturdy.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
Old aheadset with plstic cap.
Bike Setup:
05 Ignition 2
Bottom Line:
Does what a headset is supposed to do, I have ridden some pretty rough trails and the headset has stood strong. No need to service yet. Great upgrade for my bike!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
A aron Williams
a Racer
from San Luis Obispo, ca, usa Date Reviewed: April 16, 2005
Favorite Trail:
anything
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Great value at 50 dollars. Nice and smooth. Doesn't require any maintenence. Solid feel.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't integrate into a frame all that well. If your head tube isn't chamfered you'll have a little gap at the top and bottom that gets a little dirt in it sometimes.
Similar Products Used:
Other Cane Creek head sets
Bike Setup:
Madone SL
Bottom Line:
I wish it integrated into my head tube a little better, but its no big deal. When you ride with it in a road bike you could never tell that its not a king. It seems like the lower bearing is easily exposed to dirt but the cartride seems to seal well enough to keep the grit out. The all mountain guys hate it because they picked the wrong headset for the job. Keep you XC riding pretty light or use it on the road. Like I said, its a great value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a
from Sacramento, CA Date Reviewed: February 23, 2005
Don't buy it. Better suited for road use. Trust me on this one, go with the FSA if you want performance, durability, and affordability.
Hardtail pride!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Graeme Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch Date Reviewed: February 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Blowhard Track
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$37.00
Purchased At:
Beyond Bikes
Strengths:
Looks pretty
Weaknesses:
it's crap, I recieved the S2 "set up" from Beyond bikes, but the bearings fell out of the "retainer" before bike was ever ridden, tried to bed headset in for a few rides, until I eventually pulled the S2 apart and discovered what had happened plus the damage that was caused.
Similar Products Used:
Aheadset, Ritchy, Shimano
Bike Setup:
Turner 5 Spot
Bottom Line:
Buy something else, the S2 looks nice but cheaper headsets that I have had certainly work better than this peice of ... Cane Creek did send me some sealed cartridge bearings that are superior to the stock bearings that come with the S2, which makes me wonder why they bother with thier current set up of 'retained' bearings, but the damage has been done to the rest of the headset form ball bearings free floating around in the headset, I definitly will not be buying another, and certainly would not recommend the S2 to anyone
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
YaMon
a Weekend Warrior
from Jamaica, W.I. Date Reviewed: February 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Blue Mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$35.00
Strengths:
Good Looking
Weaknesses:
Very Weak, constant adjustment
Similar Products Used:
Chris King
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Dare...setup mainly for all around. Light at 32 pounds.
Bottom Line:
Bought strictly based on price and also have a set of WAM Disc Ti on my other bike. Needed a part fro the wheel once and they sent it to me pronto and no charge. Headset was ok, needed to be tightened every couple of months, no big deal. Last week coming down a very fast and bumpy track the headset loosened up again. Tried to tighten at the bottom of the hill, noticed that the bottom cup was moving...oh, oh....thought I ovalized my headtube. Upon disassembly discovered that the bottom cup had COMPLETELY sheared off at the headtube. Ordered and putting on a steel headset now. If you ride strictly cross country, it will be ok, for anything else, do not take the chance. I was lucky. Wish Cane Creek would put in a disclaimer saying ONLY Cross Country Rated.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sno_twin
a Cross Country Rider
from central ohio Date Reviewed: January 18, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
performance
Bottom Line:
I have used this headset in all conditions especially mud.If you ride in ohio you know what I mean -Wet and Muddy.I just check it every few rides for play, none so far.Worth it for price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Ace
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucker Date Reviewed: January 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:
All the ons in GA and SC
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Adrenaline Bikes
Strengths:
Well it would be nice if it had lasted
Weaknesses:
bearing crown spacer made out of plastic, what the crap is that
Similar Products Used:
Giant and Chris King
Bike Setup:
New Yeti 575, SRAM X.9, R der, shifters, chain, cassette. XT hubs, Mavic 717 wheels, Mutanoraptor wheels, Marzochi ETA Comp fork, Fox Propedal RP3 shock
Bottom Line:
I wish i could say good things about this product. It's made of cheap components to reduce cost, not weight. the plastic bearing crown ring wore out after about 12 hrs of use. the bearing begun to sieze out. it would be beeter that these components had less lose parts. tere is a lot of play with the top tube. won't buy another one of these puppies. I'll try FSA or WTB. would buy Chris King if i had the spare change
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gerr
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta Date Reviewed: November 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
performance bike
Strengths:
Inexpensive
Weaknesses:
Bottom caged bearings if headset gets loose might destroy the headset and possibly the fork crown steerer. Bottom bearings are caged bearing and not a bottom cartridge as in the top. Could I have received an older model headset ?
Shop installed and I believe it was loose on my first ride out so at the end of the ride I checked and tightened. But, the damage had already been done. The lower bearing cage must have become deformed and thus; smashed the bottom race to the point of it coming loose from the steerer ! (With little ball bearings all over the place.) I'm lucky the fork steerer/race interface was not damaged. One could say that it was all from improper adjust. The headset probably would have had some fault tolerance if it had lower cartridge bearings. Don't waste your money on ANY mountain bike headset that has caged bearings these days instead of cartridge bearings upper AND LOWER. I guess I'm Ordering a $$ King also.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Dublin,CA Date Reviewed: September 4, 2004
Favorite Trail:
any trail
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Easy to install, simple design, sealed cartridge bearings, looks great, excellent quality for the price,comes in black, smooth bearings. It has held up well.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
FSA, Chris King, IRD-junk(King knockoff),other Cane Creek headsets.
Bike Setup:
Supergo Access XCL 18" hardtail frame with Avid mechanical disc brakes, mostly Shimano and Sram rear D and shifters.
Bottom Line:
A great headset at a great price. This headset is easy to install and adjust, uses smooth quality cartridge bearings, has never given me problems, and looks great. The Chris King headset cost at least three times the price of an S-2 and I'd rather buy other bike parts with the difference. You can easily buy replacement parts from Cane Creek if ever needed for this headset.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bufflehead
a Cross Country Rider
from State College, PA Date Reviewed: August 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
QBP (as a shop mechanic in Charleston, SC)
Strengths:
cartridge bearings, well sealed, lightweight, ease of adjustment
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
various Aheadset's
Bike Setup:
Stock Specialized Rockhopper '03 with upgrades: Cane Creek S-2 Headset, Avid SD-7 Brakes, Ritchey Pro Stem 90mm
Bottom Line:
This is a great headset. It gets the job done. It's smooth and solid, and it costs less than a Chris King. If you can afford the King, great, but, if you can't, get the Cane Creek. It's the best value per dollar on the market.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada! Date Reviewed: July 27, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
It's smooth and it spins freely. It costs 1/3 of a King.
Weaknesses:
The lower seal isn't perfectly grit-free.
Similar Products Used:
Dia-compe Ahead-sets
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Heckler, Fox Vanilla 125R, XT disc brakes
Bottom Line:
My bike has taken a beating. I've bought some questionable stuff that really has no business on an abused bike. However, I can say that my Cane Creek S2 headset has taken the beats without giving up the ghost.
You have to install it properly. That means facing the upper and lower seating surfaces for your headset bearing cups. If the seating planes aren't parallel then you'll never get good life from your headset.
A Chris King is 'da bomb. The Cane Creek S2 is pretty good but a whole lot cheaper. It still gets the job done without the fanfare.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Russ Gartner
a Downhiller
from durango, CO, USA Date Reviewed: March 9, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all of them
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
jensonusa
Strengths:
Never a complete failure.
Weaknesses:
Been through two of them in the past year, a few before that as well...they wear out and the steering, bars, and turning get really loose. Again never a complete failure, will get you home and back again even when loose though.
Bottom Line:
All things considered, the installation could be the problem here but I can't seem to get one of these that stays in "new working condition". I keep getting them replaced no questions asked but I am thinking about changing brands. I really can't see spending over 50 bucks though so I'm sorry Chris King your stack of aluminum isn't worth it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Feltup
a Cross Country Rider
from TN Date Reviewed: August 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tanasi
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Jensen
Strengths:
Price, weight, looks, feel.
Weaknesses:
The bottom cup doesn't fully seal with the race.
Similar Products Used:
Stock aheadset
Bike Setup:
2003 Access XCL-2002 Duke XC,S2 headset,XT drivetrain,Sram pc-69 chain,LX brakes,LX shifters,XTR hubs with Bontrager Valiant rims.
Bottom Line:
Smooth and study. Light and pretty. Works.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Hiatt
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis, MN. USA Date Reviewed: August 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any trail with dirt
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Value!! Durability!!!
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Aheadset
Bike Setup:
2003 Trek 4100 with LX, XT upgrade. Bontrager Mustang ASYM rims. Easton EA70 bars and stem. Panaracer Fire XC tires.
Bottom Line:
If you're fixated on XTR components and have money to burn then buy the King (and send me a signed blank check). This thing gets the job done at half the cost so if you're a little more frugal with your dollars then buy this headset!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from West Chester, PA Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Single Track
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Buttery Smooth, Strong, Lite,
Weaknesses:
So Far None
Similar Products Used:
Stock A - Headset
Bike Setup:
02 Stumpjumper, S2 Cane Creek Headset, XT Cassette, Bontrager Race Lite Cranks, Race Face Evolve BB, Easton Carbon Seatpost, ect...
Bottom Line:
The Price the Price The Price is the bottom Line. A King is the best headset. But for $35.00 I got a great headset made by a good company, and 65 bucks in my pocket. I just can't pull the trigger on a King with products like this out here. Get one of these a you will feel the same way.
Value 5 great product and Low price Overall 5. Lite, Smooth, Sealed and strong..what else are you looking for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Reitzel
a Weekend Warrior
from Evanston, Wyoming USA Date Reviewed: February 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
anything
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Jensonusa
Strengths:
Solid and everything else
Weaknesses:
NOPE
Similar Products Used:
I dunno
Bike Setup:
azonic DS1 DJIII intense mag 30 DH rims
Bottom Line:
Very tough, I have about 600 miles on them of wet and hard riding and there is nothing wrong with it. I don't have to worry about breaking it. I got it free when I bought my Dirt jumper III fork from JensonUSA...I even installed it myself with a homemade headcup press. I will test it out really good this summer biggest drop I've done with it was 7 foot
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from Mishawaka, IN USA Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Winona
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Good price for a quality cartridge bearing headset. Excellent seals, Easy to install and adjust, Trouble free from the first day It was in use!
Weaknesses:
None. Adjust it and forget it!
Similar Products Used:
AHeadset(the original), WTB, Cane Creek C-2
Bike Setup:
K2 Attack 3.0, Duke XC, Shimano XT Drivetrain, Cane Creek AD10, Louise Disc, IRC Mythos XC
Bottom Line:
The seals are so good I haven't needed to repack the cartridge bearings. I clean and repack them only when I sevice the fork. The design of the race crown along with the seals eliminates any problem of dirt getting in. With my old headset, dirt would build up around the bottom seals and work it's way inside. The S-2 stays ajusted. Install it and forget it. The customer service is awesome too!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Juice
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
Inexpensive
Weaknesses:
Slight movement between cartridge and races, seals are pretty much non-existent.
Similar Products Used:
Ritchey cheap stuff.
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Element
Bottom Line:
I was being cheap and didn't get the King - big mistake. If you ride a lot and ride hard there is no alternative to the Chris King headset.
This piece of crap slops around a lot, and the shop said "that's just how they are, you should have bought a King". And the bottom cartridge was contaminated after 5 months of summer riding - and it only rained on me once this summer! Luckily the bearings are cheap, but next time I make an order from some cheapo online shop, I'm gettin a King. Over 2 years of riding a King will end out costing a lot less than the Cane Creek.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Falmouth, MA Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Otis
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Works well. Cheaper than King. GREAT customer service!
Weaknesses:
Not quite as good as a Chris King, but so much cheaper!
Similar Products Used:
King. Crappy stock aheadset.
Bike Setup:
Bianchi CUSS single speed
Bottom Line:
This is a sealed cartridge headset. Less than half the price of a Chris King. Cane Creek Customer Service is the best. I wanted to be able to swap between a rigid and a suspension fork on my single speed, so I emailed asking to purchase an extra fork crown race. They sent it free of charge! Chris King charges about $30 for the same thing! It isn't as perfectly Gucci as the King and needs be installed properly, but it looks great and works perfectly. At this price, it is an excellent value and I will probably use Cane Creek in the future rather than King. This came on a used bike I purchased, and I swapped it onto the CUSS when I bought it, because the stock headset is just junk. Great value, but it's not a 5 chili product. If you ride XT, get this, if you ride XTR and are megabucks, get the King so your 'friends' will still laugh at your jokes.
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Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson AZ Date Reviewed: June 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bottom Line:
OK. Review part dux. (see an earlier, negative review by me) I called Cane Creek, after my headset lost its adjustment, and they sent me new bearings and races, overnight, for free. Said that should fix the problem. Contact angles had been changed slightly to address this problem in earlier sets. I've run that headset hard for six months with the new races & bearings, and it hasn't budged at all. The fix was good. Kudos to Cane Creek for customer service. (no, I won't be buying a King...)
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Submitted by
Roger Ramjet
a Racer
from Nelson Bay, Australia Date Reviewed: May 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Bald Hill, Mt Keira
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Spocks Spokes
Strengths:
made all the difference to my Giant TCR-2, so much more reassurrance in the handling department, more solid feel on braking and absorbs bumps bettera, after stock headset shat itself
Weaknesses:
the groovy lizard logo top plate did not fit my giant steerer
Similar Products Used:
shimano 600, dura-ace, FSA
Bike Setup:
Giant TCR-2, 105, look carbons, selle italia seat, ITM stem, cateye computer
Bottom Line:
i had 2000 model giant (before integratd headset introduced), the stock headset was never installed properly, hence nasty thump sound on hard braking. buy a new headset for these bikes, makes the world of differnce, looks good, are King headsets better? if so they are probably worth it, dont skimp on BB or headset, most important components of your racing bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte Date Reviewed: March 21, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Dupont SF
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
internet
Strengths:
Looks cool, works fine.
Weaknesses:
thusfar none
Bottom Line:
I have no complaints about it. For the money I have yet to see why I would've paid more for anything else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson AZ US Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Looks really cool
Weaknesses:
Won't stay adjusted
Bottom Line:
I really wanted to like this headset. You know, the lizard graphic. A headset is a headset, right? Couldn't see spending $100+ on a King. It's a headset... All went well for six months. Then it started to loosen. Found I was adjusting the headset after every three or four rides. It's frustrating. Guess it's time to buy a King.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a
from Mt.Pleasant, SC, US Date Reviewed: November 25, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$44.00
Purchased At:
Local Bike Shop
Strengths:
Great Durability, light weight,good finish and allways operates smooth.
Weaknesses:
none so far
Bottom Line:
Great value compared to more expensive models, worth every buck
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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