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Which headset for Firebird?

2220 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  gticlay, 
daugela
So I got my FSA Gravity headset in the mail today which happened to be the wrong size. I ordered a tapered headset to accomodate my tapered fork tube, but didn't take into consideration the upper 1.5 headtube!!:madman:

I called Pivot and spoke with Rob who was a big help. He has a CK Devolution headset. He told me if I order this headset, I also need to order some special parts to accomodate my tapered fork which don't come with the headset. It's becoming a headache. Never dealt with this mis/match stuff before.

What is everyone running on their custom Birds? Need suggestions.
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gticlay
If you want a gold CK 1.5 headset with BOTH races for the bottom, and the develoution part for the top (meaning you can run 1.125, 1.5, or a tapered steer), I'll sell you a very slightly used one at a big discount. PM me and I can get it to you quick.
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Guy.Ford
What fork are you running, does it have a tapered steerer? If it does welcome to the wonderful world of BS marketing and crap industry standards, because no one currently sells a mismatched headset that Im aware of. I have heard rumors that Cane Creek is working on it, but to date nothing is available.


If not and your using a 1 1/8' fork just get the Cane Creek XX Flush or if your running a 1.5 steerer fork try the Cane Creek 110 1.5 or the FSA Big Fat Pig 1.5.

No matter what I would steer clear of King headsets. Do a search in the Turner forum you'll soon understand and start drinking the Koolaid.
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daugela
Guy.Ford said:
What fork are you running, does it have a tapered steerer? If it does welcome to the wonderful world of BS marketing and crap industry standards, because no one currently sells a mismatched headset that Im aware of. I have heard rumors that Cane Creek is working on it, but to date nothing is available.

If not and your using a 1 1/8' fork just get the Cane Creek XX Flush or if your running a 1.5 steerer fork try the Cane Creek 110 1.5 or the FSA Big Fat Pig 1.5.

No matter what I would steer clear of King headsets. Do a search in the Turner forum you'll soon understand and start drinking the Koolaid.
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It's a tapered fork...it's a pain in the ass.... Think I will go for a CK....
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daugela
gticlay said:
If you want a gold CK 1.5 headset with BOTH races for the bottom, and the develoution part for the top (meaning you can run 1.125, 1.5, or a tapered steer), I'll sell you a very slightly used one at a big discount. PM me and I can get it to you quick.
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Sounds like a deal, BUT, I'm not into the gold look....Thinking either black or silver.. thanks anyway though....
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gticlay
Tapered, while many OEM like them, are the WORST IDEA EVER. Me no likee. I need to sell my tapered Fox 36 soon too. :(
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daugela
gticlay said:
Tapered, while many OEM like them, are the WORST IDEA EVER. Me no likee. I need to sell my tapered Fox 36 soon too. :(
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I picked up a CK tonight at my local shop...Wasn't going to spend that kind of cash on a headset, but after I saw the silver, I thought it would look good with my theme...

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gticlay
Cool man!! I'm ready to hear how you think the bike rides!!
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NoahColorado
Hope you love your bird! ;)
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J
Hi, same problem in Europe - SC nomad with 1,5" and tapered van RC2 (1,5"down+1 1/2 up). I am really not into CK, can anybody give me other tip how to solve that?

I have already checked cane creek, but their solution seems like the down part has the bearning outside the frame while upper part bearing is inside, which looks ugly to me...
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gticlay
james.peniz said:
Hi, same problem in Europe - SC nomad with 1,5" and tapered van RC2 (1,5"down+1 1/2 up). I am really not into CK, can anybody give me other tip how to solve that?

I have already checked cane creek, but their solution seems like the down part has the bearning outside the frame while upper part bearing is inside, which looks ugly to me...
Click to expand...
The Cane Creek solution does have the bearing on the inside, similar to the OEM headset and I agree, it is a bit ugly plus on the Nomad the head tube is so thick that CK looks weird on there, like it is too small. I searched and searched and there isn't any great headsets that are like what you want, except the CK. If you can find the old 08 cane Creek, those had a big top bearing like you describe, but a 1.125" upper.

The big problem with the CK is that they refuse to pay for the locking ring that goes on the top so they have these cheesy o-rings. If you stem or crown race aren't faced and perfectly straight, the top cap rubs on the body of the upper cup. Anyway, here's an example of the old CC I was talking about and it's good to support Cane Creek - they invented the aheadset.


It looks like wiggle might have them... you are in europe, right?

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Cane_Creek_Double_X_Series_Aheadset/5360017644/
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