Have FSA XLII Extreme on my hardtail and Fuel and they do the job. They are very easy to maintain and the bearings seem pretty reliable.

Chain Reaction have the best prices I've noticed, but might be worth checking Merlin as well

i don't see the point of putting £100 worth of headset of your bike when 30 quids worth will do the job well and £50 is bloody good.

although Kings are nice(I nearly bought one once)take the engineers way of looking at the headset problem, a Woodman Saturn Race they are fantastic, £50 from Dave Hynde.

If your smile "fades" just cos you're using a cheap headset then you must be doing somthing wrong.

My mate has a saturn race. I went gritty as cluck within about two months. It still works though, just sounds bad! I've had my king now since August and its still sweet as a nut.

If you hate maintenance as much as I do you'll be prepared to pay the money...

WTB greaseguard anyone?
I've had one on for over 2 years & it's still going strong -but you do need to grease it each ride (or so!) Easy job with the grease ports.

I've also used FSA orbit extreme with no problems to date (about 1 year of use)- couldn't get a WTB when i needed one for my free-ride bike

I've got a King & an FSA (on different bikes, obviously) and there is no comparison. The King is by far the better, both in build and bearing quality.

Chris King full stop. Fit and forget. I'd rather be riding my rig than working on it!

I've never had to touch my King and I've had it for about 5 years.
It's the only piece of kit that I haven't had to replace in that time.
It still feel smoother than any other headset does when new.

If had £500 to spend on a bike I'd reserve £100 for a King headset!

Go KING!Go KING!Go KING!Go KING!Go KING!Go KING!go Jerry go Jerry go Jerry go Jerry

ha just to throw a spanner in the works the hope enduro is one of the sweetest headsets ive ever owned no squeeks no movement smooth as hell, prays be to thee oh true gods (HOPE)

Tioga Alchemy


























LOL