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Loaded Precision vs. Chris King headset on Ellsworth

9447 Views 22 Replies 12 Participants Last post by ndskyz, Jan 20, 2012

alanchan

Discussion Starter · Feb 15, 2011

I have a choice on weather to install the in-box Loaded Precision headset or go with Chris King on my new Ellsworth Enlightenment 29er carbon. I have Chris King on my other six bikes, never had an issue. This Loaded Precision came with the frame in a separate package. Its lighter then CK, but is it better / equivalent?

Better doesn't make sense here because I am not expecting a headset to be better then Chris King.

Wondering if its worth a try...

With the option available, I don't want to hammer in one without thinking....and I don't want to be taking headset in and out on a carbon frame all the time.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

kendalli

· #2 · Feb 15, 2011

Went with the loaded headset on the new moment sst.2. I chose it based on the ceramic bearings, the lower weight, the color matching some of the new loaded components and based on recomendations from freinds who had used them in the past. Granted the tapered headset is new for loaded. I have to say that I have been really happy so far. The headset is smooth, looks great and hasn't had any issues. While I can't say it is better than Chris King, I would say IMO it's in the same ballpark. But Chris King stuff has been around forever and people love their headsets so you can't go wrong either way

Biscuit

· #3 · Feb 22, 2011

Go for a LOADED headset! You won't be dissapointed. (disclaimer, I work for Loaded..

)

Kings are the "household name" for headsets. I've had several on several bikes and won't say anything bad about them.

However, I will say ours are nicer IMO. Everything we make is beautiful, functional, designed with riding in mind, laser etched and finished to a jewelry-level finish.

The weights are legit too. Here's a pic of our 1-1/8" external headset, which we state is 66g. Here it is on a digital scale weighing in at an honest 64g topcap and all. Notice: our claimed weight is 32g lighter than the claimed weight of a King at 98g...

If you have any issues or questions, feel free to send me a PM or call me @ the number on our website.

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bpnic

· #4 · Feb 22, 2011

The Loaded stuff looks really nice....i just can't find it anywhere close in my state to buy!
Bummer!

Biscuit

· #5 · Feb 22, 2011

Where are you located?

The dealer locator on our website is.. um... a little outdated. I'd be happy to look one up for you.

bpnic

· #6 · Feb 22, 2011 (Edited)

Biscuit said:
Where are you located?

The dealer locator on our website is.. um... a little outdated. I'd be happy to look one up for you.

Ny

Thanks!

steadite

· #7 · Feb 22, 2011

Biscuit said:
Everything we make is beautiful...

That was a question I had...does Loaded Precison actually "make" their stuff, or is it imported?

alanchan

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 22, 2011

Ok, will give it a try since I have Loaded that came with the frame where I have to go out and get a Chris King.

Biscuit

· #9 · Feb 22, 2011

bpnic said:
Albany Ny

Thanks!

Sent you a PM. Call up Eric at Downtube Cyclery in Albany.

If it doesn't work out, let me know. We will sell direct if all else fails... but we try really hard to support the LBS.

bpnic

· #10 · Feb 22, 2011

Biscuit said:
Sent you a PM. Call up Eric at Downtube Cyclery in Albany.

If it doesn't work out, let me know. We will sell direct if all else fails... but we try really hard to support the LBS.

thanks biscuit!

dogo

· #11 · Feb 23, 2011

ordered a blue loaded seatpost, and its a work of art.. I'll be ordering the matching handlebars, but my only gripe with them is they dont make 70mm stems!

gruppo

· #12 · Feb 26, 2011

Food for thought...I'm overhauling a customer's seven year old road bike (It has a handbuilt custom steel frame). The bike spent most of its life in San Francisco, so it has been exposed to salty air and sweated on a bunch (Its owner rides a lot of miles).

This is the first overhaul and it's long overdue. Most every component, nut, bolt, fitting, cable, housing, bearing, etc., needs replacing. The two exceptions are the Phil Wood bottom bracket and the Chris King headset - they are both still performing like new.

Based on this, I'd go with Chris King headset.

bpnic

· #13 · Feb 26, 2011

Where are the Loaded components made?

Their website doesn't lead on to it, so I assume Asia.

Biscuit

· #14 · Feb 26, 2011

gruppo said:
Food for thought...I'm overhauling a customer's seven year old road bike (It has a handbuilt custom steel frame). The bike spent most of its life in San Francisco, so it has been exposed to salty air and sweated on a bunch (Its owner rides a lot of miles).

This is the first overhaul and it's long overdue. Most every component, nut, bolt, fitting, cable, housing, bearing, etc., needs replacing. The two exceptions are the Phil Wood bottom bracket and the Chris King headset - they are both still performing like new.

Based on this, I'd go with Chris King headset.

All of our headsets come with a FOREVER GUARANTEE!

Meaning, it's the last headset you'll ever have to buy. Period.

(obviously it applies to the original purchaser only)

bpnic said:
Where are the Loaded components made?

Their website doesn't lead on to it, so I assume Asia.

All of our design, prototyping, and warehousing is done here in San Diego, California. But, the truth is, the best carbon fiber in the world comes out of Taiwan. So final manufacturing really depends on the part.

BiknBob

· #15 · Feb 26, 2011

OK, but where are the headsets made?

gruppo

· #16 · Feb 28, 2011

Biscuit said:
So final manufacturing really depends on the part.

And the company's environmental policy, recycling program, tech support, employees' pay & benefits, carbon footprint, servicing dealer network, product price protections for the LBS, long term product reliability, etc.

And who cares where the best carbon fiber comes from. There're already too many un-recyclable plastic frames and components.

Jack Jack

· #17 · Dec 8, 2011 (Edited)

2

anyone have the warranty department for the loaded precision ? my headset bearing busted after a couple of month of usage.. it came along with my epi SST2.
I maintain them greaseing them after every ride but somehow the bearing got busted and my whole steering ceased up when i was riding...Pretty lucky that i manage to get out of harms way..
Anyway when i remove the fork off. Notice that the inner race of the bearing came off and the outer bearing shield was stuck to the headset and i wasnt able to get it off and the top bearing was busted as well
Went to my LBS and they just mention that the warranty is meant for the frame only and not for the headset even though i got the bike about 2 to 3 month ago and they advise me to get a new CK or CC headset since the current one is a goner.

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happybiker

· #18 · Dec 16, 2011 (Edited)

I just tried to install mine today into an Evolution frame and once the cups were in, there is a gap 0.2mm (finger nail width) between the frame and cups. Pulled out the lower cup and the problem was obvious, in the corner of the cup where the inner face of the frame contacts the cup, there is too big a radius left in the corner to allow for the 2 components to meet. Instead the cups have very rounded corners which prevents them sitting flush in the frame, not very good. I compared it to a King and FSA headset and they both have these corners machined out for clearance.

Oh and the worst thing is the green seatclamp and SIT headset don't match each other!!

ndskyz

· #19 · Dec 17, 2011

Anybody else have any problems with Loaded stuff? Im in need of a Headset and Stem.

Jack Jack

· #20 · Dec 30, 2011

am still waiting for the warranty department to send me the replacment set..
i keep you guys updated if i get the new set n compare it with my other headset.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

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