|   Whats the big deal with King Headsets? | 2big2ride
Aug 8, 2002 7:52 AM | | Are they that much better than the others out there? They seem to cost twice as much..Are you truly getting what you pay for? |
| Are................. | Mike T.
Aug 8, 2002 8:29 AM | | .....Rolex watches worth 100x a Casio? Only you can answer that one. King headsets (and hubs) are the Rolex of bicycle parts.
They are made in the USA, unlike just about all the other headsets, and King, wanting to have full control over manufacturing, even makes the ball bearings. Ask ALL the others if they make their own bearings. None will answer yes.
King is probably one of the most environmentally conscious companies anywhere - visit their site and you will see how far they go to lessen their impact on the world. Compare that to how some of the other countries do business.
King has the best guarantee going - ten years. The last time I checked, Race Face headsets cost more money than King.
Whether to get a King headset or not is probably the ultimate "is this worth it for me" question. |
| Is it worth it to me... | Mac in UK
Aug 8, 2002 10:29 AM | | I just answered yes. After living with a very rough stock Aheadset for five months I just bought a King. A couple of trips to the LBS failed to solve the problem so I'm replacing it with the best. The LBS would have spung for another 15 pound Aheadset, but it was worth it to me to pay the difference and never worry about it again. |
| I believe so | eric wictor
Aug 8, 2002 8:35 AM | | I have about 1.5 years on mine, and I think it's the best headset I've owned so far. It's sealed very well, requires practically no maintenance, and has run very smooth since I installed it.
That said, it's gone through quite some miles of mud and other junk. If you ride a lot, particularly in miserable conditions, I think it does a very good job.
Of course, if you don't ride all that often, it's hard to justify $100 for a headset. Look at a mid-range FSA, Cane Creek or Ritchey model. With a little more maintenance it will last a long time and be relatively problem free. In my experience, thought, buying a more expensive part that lasts longer is often easier on the wallet in the long term! |
| Yes. | msylvan
Aug 8, 2002 9:08 AM | | This is about as close as you will ever get to a "perfect" bicycle part.
The only way to have one not last ten years is to install it improperly, or to install it in a frame that has not been properly prepped. When reading reviews, if you read that somebody "had to maintain" their King headset, you know they installed it improperly or in a bike with an ovalized headtube.
I have one on my MTB and Roadbike, and have for the last four years (no maintenance required, and I ride in the Pacific Northwest).
Buying anything else is false economy. |
| Mine keeps moving to my next bikes, indestructable! nm | Cloxxki
Aug 8, 2002 10:03 AM | | |
| Depends on how you ride | DocAltie
Aug 8, 2002 10:40 AM | | I like the Rolex analogy. A guy in Vegas once told me: "If I wanted to tell time, I would buy a Timex, but I have a Rolex because I can afford it".
I run a Ritchey SC Headset and I could not be happier. There are some real terrible heatsets out there, and Ritchey Fuzzy Logic comes to mind. I am always weary of a piece that is twice as much money as otehrs.
I bought the Timex (Ritchey SC), and I am just as happy as my buddy with the Rolex (Chris King). |
| I hope CK is better than Rolex | Jimmy Hoffa
Aug 8, 2002 1:08 PM | | Having worn a President for years, I can testify that the quality is overrated. If it is not serviced on a regular basis, it starts to loose it's time keeping acuracy. A local jewelery shop can NOT service these properly, they must go to Dallas of NY Rolex Service Centers(not cheap). Icing on the cake is the solid gold band wears out. I had mine rebuilt 15 years ago for $1,600! I'm a lot smarter now, I don't wear a watch. |
| I hope CK is better than Rolex | divve
Aug 8, 2002 3:51 PM | | Any high grade mechanical watch needs to be serviced every 3-5 years when worn on a regular basis. Standard fee is around $300 for such a service. Regular maintenance will save you money in the long run.
If you think that's a short service time interval. Take the following into account. The watch is basically running 24/7 @ 28,800 beat/minute. Try spinning a King headset at that rate and it will be worn down in 3 months.
>>>Icing on the cake is the solid gold band wears out.<<<
Gold is a soft metal...serves no other purpose than to look fancy. If you want durability get stainless steel. A lot cheaper too :)
...sorry...forgot for a sec that I was on a bike forum... |
| i can feel the difference | EricTheRed
Aug 8, 2002 1:09 PM | | and the king will last longer than the frame its on now (aluminum) so that when i can afford a ti or steel frame it will go on that too, and then those two peices of bike equipment will last me almost the rest of my life.
so in that case the king is bad, if you like to buy new stuff alot don't get the king.
-e (king costomer for life) |
| peace of mind | laffeaux
Aug 8, 2002 2:52 PM | | I own three CK headsets. I've never had a problem with any of them. Then again, I've never had problems with the other headsets I've owned either (I've only had to replace one headset due to wear). I can't tell a difference between the LX headset and the King headset that replaced (other than it's not threaded).
I bought the King's just in case. I know they last forever. Why not spend a little more and not worry about it. |
| depends on how you ride. | Stumped
Aug 8, 2002 6:41 PM | | If you are just a mellow smooth jazz cross country rider getting in a couple days of riding per week for basic exercise, most $40 headsets are just fine.
If you are taking bit hits and drops, then that's when the higher quality of a King headset matters. |
| re: Whats the big deal with King Headsets? | jeff ashley
Aug 8, 2002 8:43 PM | | Any King part will last forever and require about 100 times less maintenance than any other brand. If you have the money and need a headset, there really is no other choice. It will last longer than your frame, and when that breaks think about how happy you'll be that you don't need to think about what kind of headset to get. |
| Going strong since 1993 | zog
Aug 9, 2002 6:02 AM | | I've had the same CK headset since 1993. Moved it to it's third frame last year. Cleaned and repacked the bearings once. Never had any problems with it. I've always used a piece of innertube or lizard skin headset seal over it, top and bottom.
At an initial cost of $ 100 so far it works out to $11 per year. |
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