WTB Momentum Reviews - Product Reviews

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Posted: 27/03/05
Updated: 28/03/06

'GOOD FEATURES, 18 MONTHS AND STILL NO TROUBLE!'

Strengths:
Easy to maintain with grease ports etc and as it isn't a cartridge jobbie, individual parts could be replaced.

[Update 28/03/06] Easy to maintain with grease ports etc and as it isn't a cartridge jobbie, individual parts could be replaced, as I think I need to do after more than a year and a half. And I have rode through rivers that are as deep as the top headcup on a few occasions!

Weaknesses:
Fiddly pain in the arse when you need to fettle with the forks or stem. I changed my stem and it worked itself loose so that the front wheel rocked when the brake was held and grease worked its way out from between the steerer and the spacers.

[Update 28/03/06] You need to be careful that the whole thing is aligned properly when reassembling forks so that it all fits snugly, not really WTBs fault though! (Ignore what I wrote before)

Overall:
I got mine for something like 20 squid from wiggle and it really hasnt given me any bother (issue mentioned above was most likely my own fault for not tightening everthing up as I should have). Although if I were to get another headset for my XC bike, it would be a cartidge job - less buggering about.

[Update 28/03/06] Bloody great headset, have transferred it accross 4 frames now, (2 of which died!) and that was with mallet and a lump of wood headset installation. You can see all thats going on in it which is reassuring, and only after a lot of ugly weather do I think that the bearings need replacing.

For the £2o I payed for it, great stuff!

Performance		100%
Reliability		80%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

87%

Pete Jones

Posted: 19/02/01

'Classic low maintenance trail rider's headset.'

Strengths:
Easy to service without requiring disassembly; replacement bearings easy to source.

Weaknesses:
Grease oozing through seals can be messy if you're a tart; otherwise none.

Overall:
The best option for UK conditions (and elsewhere) at a sane price. I rode one of these headsets across the Himalaya twice through extremely dusty conditions without even servicing it; no problems, it was as good as new when I got home despite a complete lack of maintenance.

Performance		80%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

93%

Stuart Nicolson

Posted: 20/02/01

'Near-perfect headset for UK winter mudbath conditions'

Strengths:
A remarkably sensible design for UK conditions
Can be regreased easily without requiring disassembly - stays smooth-running for months between "proper" services.

Weaknesses:
If we're being picky;
Stack height about 5 or 10mm more than many headsets - potentially a problem with OEM forks?
Needs to be assembled carefully to prevent the headtube headtube with grease (just R.T.F.I!)
Sealing is deliberately poor to allow grease out so it MUST be regularly pumped with fresh grease in wet & muddy conditions.

Overall:
Have used this headset for around two years. I've disassembled it twice, once after last winter because I felt I should and once when I changed my forks. Both times it was clean and dry inside, with none of the usual rusted bearings and brown manky water I'd have expected. In my experience, as long as hosepipes are kept away from the seals, the bottom race needs to be purged after every couple of muddy rides in winter, and about once a month in summer, while I do the top race about once a month year-round.

The weaknesses are minor niggles, easily overcome by following instructions. Definately deserves top marks - everyone should buy one!

Performance		80%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

93%

Joe_M

Posted: 21/02/01

'Gunky but funky.'

Strengths:
Smooth bearings, good feel, very well finished product, greaseguard is an excellent idea.

Weaknesses:
pricier, seals can pop out of their grooves. messy.

Overall:
If there is one thing I hate on a bike its a loose, rocking headset and while I initially baulked at spending this much I think its worth it. The front end of the bike feels much better - smooth and very solid and the 'squirt and forget' grease port maintenance is brilliant. Watching the dirt and water squirt out as you pump the grease in is as satisfying as squeezing a big spot! As well as all this, they come in different colours and are extremely well finished, great bit of kit.

Performance		80%
Reliability		80%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

73%

Kevin Hodgson

Posted: 26/02/01

'Simple headset becomes almost immortal due to greaseport.'

Strengths:
Nicely made, light, regreaseable from the outside. Simple design (3/32" balls only) but regreasing after a wet ride seems to make it last forever.

Weaknesses:
Races are not replaceable when it eventually wears out. When that'll be I'm not sure!

Overall:
Two little greaseports transform ordinary old style headset into durable mud/water proof wonder. A top UK riding product.

Performance		80%
Reliability		100%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

87%

Jim Allan

Posted: 03/03/01

'Good hard working & reliable'

Strengths:
Dead simple maintenance, just quick grease & your off. No major overhaul required just to pack in some more grease.

Weaknesses:
I don't known how well the 'O' seals will last over time - so far so good.

Overall:
Headsets don't "do much", apart from allow you to steer. If your like me, you will tend to ignore them, till they screem at you for grease & refuse to turn!!! However, for ease of maintenance coupled with the reliability you need when "your out there", this is the headset for you.

Performance		100%
Reliability		80%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

87%

Daniel Jones

Posted: 24/03/01

'top headset why didn'i i buy one sooner'

Strengths:
not come loose (yet)
cool looks(if that counts)
cheap pirce

Weaknesses:
nothing whats so ever

Overall:
after been with my bog standard come with bike plastic cap wobbly shopping trolley headset it was a real change to my bikes handling and overall confidence it is a strong as a bull and this will (hopefully) be staying on my bike for some time :-)

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

Richard Pemberton

Posted: 27/07/01

'Does it need maintenance?'

Strengths:
6months of fairly heavy use including the tail end of one of the worst winters in memory,and I have only stripped it down once-and put it rapidly back together once I saw it was fine,silky smooth steering,amazing reliability.

Weaknesses:
Nowt

Overall:
This headset came on a GT Arrowhead and I was expecting far less than this.I knew of WTB's reputation and it has been furthered in my view by this headsets reliability and performance.Well worth beig bought,even if it is quite pricey.

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

93%

Mark Snelling

Posted: 31/08/01

'Cant get any better!!!!!!'

Strengths:
Good all round performance, looks nice, cheap to maintain and reasonably cheap to buy

Weaknesses:
I havent found one yet

Overall:
An excellent headset if your the aggresive XC rider dont miss this buy!!!!!!!!!!

Performance		100%
Reliability		80%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

87%

Robin Skuse

Posted: 05/09/01

'we're all agreed on this one'

Strengths:
So easy to service that you end up regreasing just for the hell of it. Costs far less than other quality stuff like Chris King, and lasts as long or longer. Comes in several colours, if you like that kinda thing.

Weaknesses:
Highish stack height could mean you run out of steerer tube. Sealing is deliberately poor.

Overall:
All my future bikes will run one of these - I'll insist on it.

Performance		80%
Reliability		100%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

87%

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