Submitted by
andykrow
a Downhiller
from Fort Collins Date Reviewed: July 3, 2008
Favorite Trail:
hmmm
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
Cheap. Keeps working.
Weaknesses:
I guess it's heavy but it says "DH" on it. Overkill for an xc bike.
Similar Products Used:
Don't remember...it's been so long...
Bike Setup:
Brodie Thumper, 66 Light, DHX 5.0, Holzfeller, Deity...other heavy things
Bottom Line:
Ridiculously cheap for sealed bearings. Whoever said this won't last your bike doesn't know how to set up a headset proper. I've had mine for over 4 years, never a problem. Don't over-tighten! I greased mine a couple years ago, not sure it even needed it. Maybe I'll open it up again one of these months...LOL. Gets plenty of mud and evil sand/dust without issues. I've taken this everywhere - mostly freeride/dh but plenty of XC/AM too...generally 50 miles a week for that whole four years. I'll never buy anything else - the only reason would be image, and you only get that if you buy a King for 3 times as much. I guess you could get some pretty colors then...but I don't know how a King could work any better than the Pig...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fatcat
a Weekend Warrior
from los angeles Date Reviewed: June 22, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$45.00
Strengths:
Sealed bearings, heavy duty and cheaper than Chris King
Weaknesses:
none--its a headset for crying out loud
Similar Products Used:
Chris king
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Bullit
Bottom Line:
This is a great buy for a sealed bearing headset. I've purchased 2 so far for my bikes and I am ordering another for a Stinky that I recently bought. I've read the other reviews about it rusting but you gotta figure that if other parts on their bikes are steel than they must be rusted too? Ya think? I wouldnt want an aluminum headset, its the part that gets the most pounding from the fork. Anyways save money and go sealed bearings with the Pig Pro.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fred Redwoood
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: April 19, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
internet retailer
Strengths:
it's chunky, heavyweight steel, hard to break
Weaknesses:
sealed poorly against the elements, and rapidly turns into a nasty rusty pile of poo.
Similar Products Used:
fsa orbit
Bike Setup:
XC hardtail
Bottom Line:
As a headset it's big and meaty. Handled everything I could throw at it.
Unfortunately it's poorly sealed against the elements - I ride all year, and even when the sun shines, there is almost always some mud to ride through.
water broke past the bearing seal on the bottom bearing, and corroded the bearing, leading to it's failure after just 9 months of use. Spares for it are just about impossible to find, and generally it seems that it's cheaper to buy a new headset than replace the bearings anyhow.
gets 3 chillis for value it is pretty cheap for headset, but a 2 overall for turning into a nasty rusty mess.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Bergen, Norway, Europa Date Reviewed: March 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Arnanipa
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Sykkelbutikken, Bergen, Norway
Strengths:
Beefy and solid, no bearing play, sealed bearings, steel bottom cup, reasonable weight
Weaknesses:
Surface rust on bearings after 2 months of use with frequent servicing, and the bike beeing stored indoors in between rides. (ridiculously high price from local distributor, but that won`t draw any chillies here)
Similar Products Used:
CC, tioga, tange, WTB, CK
Bike Setup:
`06 MArin Wolf Ridge, SRAM, Avid, Hope/Mavic, Talas RC2
Bottom Line:
A magnificent headset if you live in Arizona, Andalucia, Algerie, or the Kalahari for that sake, but it is not suited for most other climates.
I stored mine indoors in between rides, and before summer had gone(2months of use) the well lubricated bearings showed surface rust. The quality of the steel used cannot be top notch, rust will eventually break through..
There has been no compromise in function though, so I guess it`s worth the bucks if you can get them at 40$, just remeber that this is not the type of headset that will survive your bike. I bought mine based on the reviews below, but it`s definitely not worth 5 chillis
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a
from Vancouver Island, BC Date Reviewed: November 8, 2007
Best I've ever had, this headset IS a pig. The headset is one of the few parts of your bike that you never want to notice, because if you do there is probably something wrong with it and you never think about this one, just set it and forget it. It can take a beating and even after riding in muddy conditions it will still remain buttery smooth. The sealed cartridge bearings it uses are way better than regular cartridge ball bearings. I plan on using this headset for a long time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Luis
a Downhiller
from Canada Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Ecclestone Cycle
Strengths:
The sealed barrings, the sweet look, THE PRICE!!
Weaknesses:
None other than the fact it would be cool to have different colors
Similar Products Used:
Aheadset
Bike Setup:
Kona Dawg - ripped apart and rebuilt for freeride because the frame is super light but sooooo strong, manitou stance kingpin, MTX S-Type rims front and back, 16 inch frame, stock rear shock, tioga white tiger on the front and a nokian Gazza on the back, FUNN KILLA Stem and soo much more done to this bike
Bottom Line:
I wouldn't buy any other stem, i have beaten the hell out of this thing and it hasn't even developed a creak yet, i do alot of urban freeride and downhill and it has served me soo well. for the two years that iv had it i haven't serviced it once, or taken it apart to clean it as there is no need. it truly is an install and forget stem i recommend it to anybody to get buy it over a king the price is amazing to
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Submitted by
Troy
a Weekend Warrior
from Kentucky Date Reviewed: January 25, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Very sturdy, looks good, easy on the wallet.
Weaknesses:
a little heavy
Similar Products Used:
cane creek, aheadset
Bottom Line:
Awesome product no problems what so ever.By far the best headset for the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
danny
a
from Nottingham UK Date Reviewed: November 6, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Bike show UK Birmingham NEC
Strengths:
V strong, easy to maintain, good looks, smooth as a babies bottom.
Weaknesses:
Erm havnt come accros any yet!!
Similar Products Used:
Only one that durable havnt needed another
Bike Setup:
24/7 crosser 14", mx comps 2005, XT rear mech, sram x.9 shifter, hope minis, sun single track rims on DMR revolver hubs, DMR Moto tyres. Reflecters on the wheels!! maybe not!
Bottom Line:
Buy it you wont need another, have used this one for alsorts of stuff street, dirt jumping, hucking, downhilling every thing actually apart from sailing and canoeing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ekim
a
from Manchester, MD, USA Date Reviewed: September 26, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Smooth, strong and cheap
Weaknesses:
A little heavy, but it is made for hucking
Similar Products Used:
Aheadset
Bike Setup:
Fisher Sugar 3+, 130mm Fox vanilla fork, Cane Creek Cloud Nine rear shock, Thompson stem, hayes disc, XT...blah blah blah
Bottom Line:
I bought this headset when rebuilding my sugar towards a cross mountain ride. I have had no problems with this headset within the year that I have used it. It is still as smooth as the day installed and I have not performed any maint. on it. I have been through mud, rain, dust and dry with no problems. Handles what I can dish out with my roll over it or jump off of it riding style. I have only had to adjust it once shortly after it was installed, but that is to be expected. It is not as sexy as the King and a bit on the heavy side, but for $100 less who cares...its a freaking rock solid headset!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hernan castaneda
a Weekend Warrior
from quito/ecuador Date Reviewed: March 12, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
was nice when it works
Weaknesses:
yesterday I destroyed it
Similar Products Used:
many low and mid ends headsets
Bike Setup:
SC Bullit with z1 eta, 5th element, hayes mag, mavic heavy duty rims, etc.
Bottom Line:
It was nice, really nice feel, but yesterday I destroy all the headset from inside. I am 230 pounds not so gentle with my bike, so I understand to destroy things, but 1 year for a DH headset it is bad. Dont get me worng when it work is really nice but yesterday I almost had to comeback walking from the trail to home.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chance McCabe
a Downhiller
from Bellingham WA, USA Date Reviewed: September 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
ur mom
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Jacks
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
blows out soon, creaks, clunky feel. grinding felt right away
Similar Products Used:
Chris king, cane creek Aheadset
Bike Setup:
Stinky primo with Syncros rims and saint everything
Bottom Line:
don't even think about it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Toronto Date Reviewed: August 30, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Sport Chek
Strengths:
This thing is amazing. For the price that you pay, this thing is far better than any king headset, especially if you're hucking or doing dh. Buttery smooth after the first week or so.
Weaknesses:
Sorry...it doesn't come in flashy Chris King colors, only chrome and black.
Similar Products Used:
Cane Creak Aheadset
Bike Setup:
Norco Shore, pro tapers, diabolus stem, 24 double track rim
Bottom Line:
This thing is such a good headset and it's great that they're sealed cartridge bearings. Sure it may not look as good a chris king but it works just as good. And for most of us working class peoples, that's all that really matters. All the dumb rich kids who's parents go buy them anything they want can go buy a King for 2x the price. For me, I'll stick to FSA.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Acevedo
a Downhiller
from Atlanta Date Reviewed: August 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Anything at Pisgah
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
BeyondBikes
Strengths:
Sturdy, Looks pretty cool, Nice finish, godd weight:strength ratio
Weaknesses:
Not enough people buying them
Similar Products Used:
Cane Creek, Ahead set, Chris King
Bike Setup:
Yeti 575 FOX RP#, Marzocchi Comp ETA, Avid mechs 6", SRAM 9.0 shifters and RD, XT front, Mavic 717 - XT hubs
Bottom Line:
I ride pretty reckelessly and still learning not to crash. This set has kept up with me. Why spend twice as much? Chris King is excellent, no doubt, but this PIG is just as good. I ride in pretty wet conditions and this set does not crap out. I took it appart after 3 days of riding in mud and rain to clean it, no need to. Buy it, and don't go for the "is not a Chris King" thing. Is not about the brand name, is about the product quality.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J
a
from UK Date Reviewed: July 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Summat Big
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Sealed Bearings for £20!!! Chunky, and every one else seems to like it.
Weaknesses:
I dunno if i put mine in wrong but its a bit creaky...
Similar Products Used:
Richey Logic (mostly plastic, DONT GET ONE)
Bike Setup:
DDG Shooter and...er... Zokes... (cough)
Bottom Line:
Excelent, dont see why you shouldnt buy one, good solid and cheap headset apart from Chris King prob the best. Dunno why i cant give it 5 for overall but maybey its just the creaking :(
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jonny carson
a Downhiller
from loveland CO Date Reviewed: June 30, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
sealed bearings, toughness
Weaknesses:
i laugh
Bike Setup:
rocky mountain RMX stock except for a couple things
Bottom Line:
this headset is sweet. it has performed flawlessly under all conditions consistantly since i got it. i cant beleive how well it works after the punishment it has taken and for so long. if you dont want to spend a frickload of money for kings then get this. put it on and forget about it no matter what you do so you can worry about other things. This headset is (. )( .)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J Lloyd
a Downhiller
from CO Date Reviewed: April 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Apex
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At:
EBAY
Strengths:
Price, super beefy, sealed bearings
Weaknesses:
None
Bike Setup:
04 Kona Coiler, DH Pro headset, Azonic Outlaw wheels, RS PIKE race
Bottom Line:
The best headset for the money. If your looking for a tough headset for cheap look no further. don't mess with a Chris King headset, get the DH Pro and spend the money you saved on more upgrades
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek
a Weekend Warrior
from Elmvale, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: February 27, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Sportchek
Strengths:
Strong, Cool color (I got red) Sealed bearings, and easy to service.
Weaknesses:
Weight? But it shouldnt matter because its the difference of a few grams.
Get this headeset, the ugrade to sealed bearings is worth the price. And I searched the price for this beast on the internet and at shops and I cheapest i found it for was $50 cad. Get it at Spotchek for $30 cad!! Ordered it in their catelog. They may not know how to service a bike or what the parts are used for, but their catelog prices are sweet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joey Conlon
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga, Ontario Canada and proud Date Reviewed: October 4, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Can anyone say street
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$59.00
Purchased At:
Oakville cycle and sports
Strengths:
this is a high quality Beefy headset and an excelent bang for your buck
Weaknesses:
It's a really good product but in a rare case that happend to me I cracked the bottom cup and mangled the bearing from a 8ft flatland
Similar Products Used:
nothing always use FSA
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mtn Flow 24. DJ2 and Hood worms
Bottom Line:
This is a very strong product untill you start doing things over board. No headset would have taken an 8 ft flat land so it's understandable that it broke. Good job FSA an excellent product
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle
a
from Branford, CT USA Date Reviewed: June 8, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$37.00
Purchased At:
Beyond Bikes
Strengths:
cromoly lower cup, great bearings, looks strong, little picture of a pig on it
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
some old AHeadset which came with the bike
Bike Setup:
2003 Azonic Ds-1
Bottom Line:
Great headset for the price, i recommend it to anyone who is in need of a new headset. I love the fact that the bearings dont come out so there is no risk for them to get dirty when working on the front end of the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brown Tetth
a Cross Country Rider
from Morro Bay CA, USA Date Reviewed: May 30, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$24.00
Strengths:
The lower bearing makes my King look wimpy, but the upper cup's a bit thin, but quality of the bearings seems true, awesome bang for the buck
Weaknesses:
Upper cup looks a bit thin but so far so good, price makes it hard to argue with, how can FSA do it?
Similar Products Used:
king, crane creek, loads of caged bearing crap...
Bottom Line:
They seem to be giving away a very well designed BB for next to nothing, the lower bearing/race is el beefotronic, upper OK but at this price this is a true poor dudes ubber King, and possibly better bang for the buck over time, sorry little bling here but WTF if you ride and like to save major $$$ ;)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Igor
a Weekend Warrior
from Lynn, Lynn - City of Sin Date Reviewed: April 16, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Getting cheaper and cheaper: 29$ NEW! That's like 3 times cheaper than King Install and forget Looks nice and beefy
Weaknesses:
A bit tall, but that's not a weakness
Similar Products Used:
King Pig (not sealed version) - good too
Bike Setup:
Big Hit with Monster, 6 way, grimecas, 3.0 nokians ...
Bottom Line:
BUY IT! King : 3 = price of Pig DH. It is install and forget type of headset. Highly recommend. FSA is making steel and long version now, should be the sickest! It's just great working product that is worth every pennie!
I think cambria has them for 29$
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Aliso Viejo Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
I like all of the good ones
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Revo Cycles
Strengths:
Absolutely Bullet Proof! Deep Insert on the lower cup. Lower cup is overly stiff Cro-mo with massive cartridge bearing.
Weaknesses:
weight.
Similar Products Used:
All
Bike Setup:
DH bike.
Bottom Line:
Best DH headset out there. King headsets are OK, but they don't press deep enough aside from the steelset. The big problem with King headsets is that nothing grips the steer tube, and you get a clicking with long travel forks on small headtubes. The Pig DH Pro works flawlessly, and costs less than half as much.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mo
a Weekend Warrior
from bethesda, MD USA Date Reviewed: January 10, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
cheap, strong, looks very nice. Cartridge bearing so when you remove your fork, grease doesn't get all over you.
An amazing headset for the price. I used to want a king headset because they had the cool colors but this is just as good as one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sam neufeld
a Downhiller
from the praries Date Reviewed: November 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
kerplop
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came stock
Strengths:
stays tight and runs smooth
Weaknesses:
It is a bit heavy but who cares its for dh
Similar Products Used:
funn headbanger, aheadset
Bike Setup:
rm6
Bottom Line:
I had aheadset on my old bike, when i destroyed that i got a headbanger which came loose every 2 weeks. I have had no trouble with the pig and have done no maitenence on it. It just works. what else can I say go buy one
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dirty Old Niige
a Racer
from NZ Date Reviewed: July 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Rivals King Headset for expected length of life A snap to service
Weaknesses:
Likes mid to thicker greases to run at its optimum
Similar Products Used:
Tioga Cane Creek Chris King WTB
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel
Bottom Line:
One of My All Time Faverout Head Sets
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JeFF
a Downhiller
from T.O., Onterrible Date Reviewed: February 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
secret
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Trail Blazers
Strengths:
-Looks cool -Strong -Smooth -Great Rep -I can see my reflection in it
Weaknesses:
-Top cup could be cromo as well
Similar Products Used:
-King -Greaseguard -cheapo Aheadset
Bike Setup:
VPS Shore, S7, Race Face, 8" Avids, Dual 24" Doubletracks . . all the goodies
Bottom Line:
No complaints so far. This headset is smooth, looks cool, and takes a licking. I know countless people that are using Pigs and have no problems what so ever. Sure, it's not as flash as a King, but it gets the job done.
Not to mention that this thing CANNOT be beaten for the price. Awesome value!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe Parnell
a Weekend Warrior
from Southampton Date Reviewed: January 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
clump
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
chain reaction
Strengths:
Perfectly smooth
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
diatec
Bike Setup:
planetxbommer, 521'/bulbs, z4's, mr control....
Bottom Line:
perfectly smooth and has dealt with everthing i've thrown at it so far. Would be good 4 any type of riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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