[manida]

SS content:
OK, I hear the stock headset on the Redline Monocog is junk ans should be replaced quickly.

Why do Chris King headsets cost so much more than others?? Are they that much better? Should I just buy 3 Cane Creeks and replace as needed?

 

[Zoke2]

they have Cane Creek headsets that cost more than Kings ... but i swear by King headsets ... the one in my Zaskar is probably 10 years old and works perfectly and im about to install a King headset in my VooDoo Canzo build. i guess you could say you get what you pay for.

 

[PissedOffCil]

Yeah they pretty much last forever. he most you'll ever have to do with them is change the bearings but it's not something that requires to be done very often. To be honest, I bought mine out of hype and to see the difference for myself. Do I feel the difference? Not at all but I know that it'll last forever and be used on multiple bikes and I still think it's worth paying for it. You might consider the CC 110 also. It came out after I bought my CK but I would have probably tried it if it was on the market back then!

 

[johnnyb]

SS content:
OK, I hear the stock headset on the Redline Monocog is junk ans should be replaced quickly.

Why do Chris King headsets cost so much more than others?? Are they that much better? Should I just buy 3 Cane Creeks and replace as needed?

Not only do I have the King on my 'cog, but I got Phil W turning the cranks too. Awesome parts and performance--no worries!

 

[moschika]

echo the sentiments here. i've had my CK HS for the last 8 years on my ss and i haven't touched it once. i'm sure there are other comparable HS's out there now, but at the time, CK was the shiznit.

 

[FLETCHLIVES]

Chris King headsets are worth every penny and will far outlast any bike you install them on and then some. I have used CK headsets (and hubs) for years without a single problem. You can seriously get away with only overhauling the bearings once every 5 years, if that (headset only, of course). Add to that the bearings are completely user serviceable and not throwaways and the value is even better. So, will the King Headset make you a better rider? No! But they will make you a better person.
http://chrisking.com/asiamfg/index.html
They are one of the most responsible manufacturers you will encounter. And that should be worth something, right?
And No, I do not work for CK or am affiliated in any way. Just a fan and a believer.

 

[manida]

OK thanks everyone for the input....I get it. CK is the good stuff.

 

[duotone]

I will never even think about buying a King headset.


I had to try even things out.... ;-)

 

[mvi]

I run CC headsets that I got on close out for $10. No problems either. Headset is THE place to safe money. Put the money in hubs and BB!
Got a KING on the bike I use on the beach one week /year and it is as shot as the rest.
Which I expected, salt water is brutal.

 

[phxartboy]

I will never even think about buying a King headset.

So, maybe I should send you one when I break down my freeride bike here soon? :thumbsup:

King is just bling. I've had/have a couple, many Race faces and a couple CCs.

Kinda like mvi states, spend your money on more important components.

 

[Berkley]

Not worth the money. Maybe the hubs, but certainly not the headset. For the cost of a King headset that lasts 10 years, I could buy a CC headset for the first five years and a second CC headset for the second 5 years. And I've never had a headset fail on me. Catastrophic headset failure isn't exactly common...

My opinion: It's really just for show.

 

[crux]

King does make good headsets, there is no denying that. However if your running longer travel forks or 29er then the CC design seems to hold up a bit better in my opinion.

 

[1971tch]

if the headset on that monocog isn't broken, why replace it? It's not going to add any significant advantage or value to the bike. Save your money for something that improves ride quality.

 

[flipnidaho]

SS content:
OK, I hear the stock headset on the Redline Monocog is junk ans should be replaced quickly.

Why do Chris King headsets cost so much more than others?? Are they that much better? Should I just buy 3 Cane Creeks and replace as needed?

Run the stock headset until it dies, then replace it with the CC S3. Kings are good but not $70 better than an S3. However, if you're looking for bling and to blow some cash, CK (or Hope or higher end CC) will be hard to beat...

 

[Zion Rasta]

Rastafari

SS content:
OK, I hear the stock headset on the Redline Monocog is junk ans should be replaced quickly.

Why do Chris King headsets cost so much more than others?? Are they that much better? Should I just buy 3 Cane Creeks and replace as needed?

To get the powers of the almighty JAH.....Rastafari.....His Imperial Majesty
Chris King Selasie

'nuff said.

My Niner had a Race Face Deus and it just does not hold up well. The front end feels better aligned and stirff with a King. I have had numerous crappy S3, S6, CC headsets and they do not hold the front end as well. Once I set up the king you forget about ir and it forks. I actually like the feel of the FSA headsets, but still just spend the $$$ on the rasta headset.:rockon:

 

[Polk]

I have King, FSA Orbit, and American Classic headsets. All are fine. I cannot tell the difference between any of them when riding or just turning the bar, and they all seem to be lasting just fine. About $50 for the FSA, $75 for the AC, and $100+ for the King. If you're concerned about weight, King is the heaviest, then FSA, then AC is lightest by a fair amount.

 

[womble]

SS content:
OK, I hear the stock headset on the Redline Monocog is junk ans should be replaced quickly.

Why do Chris King headsets cost so much more than others?? Are they that much better? Should I just buy 3 Cane Creeks and replace as needed?

Why rush out to replace a headset that's working?

 

[liam2051]

another vote for CK being a bling thing -sorry to the devoted people out there!


....even with that said ive ever liked them even as a 'bling' item

 

[Doggity]

Monocog's a good enough frame that a CK wouldn't be wasted on it. But,in keeping with the spirit of the Monocog (which is having a rawkin' good time without having to pay 2K for a blinged SS MTB, for Gawd's sake...), I like the FSA Pig, or even better, the DH Pig. $25.00 and $40.00 respectively; freakin' massive stainless steel bearings...you'll sooner break a chainstay before you break one of these. Rock on...

 

[shishku]

I have several king headsets, but recently came to the conclusion that the higher end Cane Creek is just a better design. It is irritating that King puts so much emphasis on their tight tolerances, and then includes a plastic ring to eliminate creaking. I still have Kings on all of my bikes, because 5-10-15 years ago they were the best thing going. The metal shims in the hope headset are bothersome too. A Cane Creek S3 is trouble free, quiet, and will last forever if kept clean and greased.