Any of the SEALED or CARTRIDGE bearing headsets will work.
Brand loyalty is your preference of course.
Simply stay away of caged bearing assemblies.
Agree and disagree. I love my Cane Creek headsets and have S3s (the 40 replaced the S3 in their headset lineup) on several bikes. The headset on my commuter has over 10K miles on it over the last 7 years and is on the original bearings, no indexing no new grease (though I probably should repack).
It was a purchase on my first singlespeed in college that has been back and forth on at least five bikes since then and is on my commuter now (4K miles alone in the last 18 months). Cane Creek headsets rock.
That being said, caged bearing assembly headsets can work well if you're on a budget and dont mind repacking once or twice a year. I put one on a bike I built for my sister (it was a Tange or Ritchey) and last I checked it was still fine, but she doesnt ride much or at all in wet conditions. Looseball headsets were the norm for decades and most still are in operation on pub bikes, polo bikes, commuters, and restored vintage bikes. Sure they'll need regular maintenance but I wouldnt go as far as to say avoid them, just know what you're getting.
Pay the extra amount for sealed cartridges if you like an easier install and higher cost for replacement bearings or go cheap with loose balls and a tub of grease that will last the life of the headset.
quick solution lol .
