Headsets, what do you use in your Proflex?

[jimbob]

I need a new headset for my 1997 Proflex 857 as the (possibly original?) Dia-Compe Aheadset currently fitted is on its last legs.

My 3 favoured options are:

-Nukeproof Warhead SL

- Hope Headset

- Chris King "No Threadset"


Anyone see any issues with those listed? or any reason why they wouldn't work with the 857 frame?
I currently have a 5mm spacer under the Girvin crosslink fork clamp, and another 5mm spacer between the Girvin clamp and the stem so should have some room to adjust for varying top stack heights.

What do you guys use on your Proflex bikes?

[shovelon]

I only buy Deep Cup Headsets for mine. The first set that went into my 957 is an FSA orbit extreme. The alum frame ovaled out at the lower cup.

The one that I put into my Oz is an Acros AH7. I installed a 6 inch fork and wanted the firmer interface.

Both sets of alum cups had to be reduced about 2 to 3 mm though.

Of the two, I really like the German made Acros, and can be gotten in different colors.

Terry

[DugB]

I have Chris King headsets on the 956, one of the 856's and the 4000. My wife's 955 has a wide headset, and the lower cup actually seems to contact the front shock spring.

Terry has a frame of mine right now where the owner used some cheap-o Tioga headset, installed it wrong and cracked the headtube on both the top and bottom. What a shame, because the frame looks to have so few miles on it.

Terry, what do you mean by "deep cup"? Does that mean that the part that fits inside the headtube is taller than on standard headsets, increasing the area over which impacts and force are distributed?

- Doug :-)

[shovelon]

Terry, what do you mean by "deep cup"? Does that mean that the part that fits inside the headtube is taller than on standard headsets, increasing the area over which impacts and force are distributed?

- Doug :-)

Yes. I have this one.

[w2zero]

So, is that a DD or a DDD cup? 

[jimbob]

well, as I'm a tight Yorkshireman I picked up a Nukeproof Warhead SL headset today for £32. I seriously considered the Hope headset but my LBS only had it in blue, silver or grey, and I really wanted a headset in black or red.... of course the King headset is available in red but I just couldn't bear to part with £100 for one, especially as I bought the bike a few weeks ago for only £200!!!

I'm going to fit it this evening and will report back any issues/problems.

[Thunderchild]

FSA Orbit XL-II on four of my MTB frames with a standard top cap; not the funky one they made on the earlier versions(http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/product-images-large/fsa-compressor-top-assembly-15397.jpg).  Makes switching around forks easy.  The one on my Oz is still in great shape after 11300+ miles. 

Thunderchild

[WD Pro]

I have Chris King headsets on the 956, one of the 856's and the 4000. My wife's 955 has a wide headset, and the lower cup actually seems to contact the front shock spring.

Terry has a frame of mine right now where the owner used some cheap-o Tioga headset, installed it wrong and cracked the headtube on both the top and bottom. What a shame, because the frame looks to have so few miles on it.

Terry, what do you mean by "deep cup"? Does that mean that the part that fits inside the headtube is taller than on standard headsets, increasing the area over which impacts and force are distributed?

- Doug :-)

I had wondered about the clearance issue ...

So is a king is ok on a 856 with a ods and cor spring ?

Cheers,

WD

[TDIfurby]

Are stock shimano headsets OK to use?  I am rebuilding mine with a Deore LX one - The last time I tried to fit an uprated one, it was worse than stock Shimano!

[shovelon]

I think they are all fine to use. I just needed one to take up the looseness on mine.

I have never had any one fail.

[jimbob]

Well, the headset is now on, and it runs silky smooth   the old headset bottom race was well and truly buggered, looked like it hadn't seen any grease in years.

However.....

Some movement in the front end still remains, not as bad as it was, but it's still there.
I think I've traced it to the Crosslink forks. With the front brake on I can see a very small amount of movement at the linkage at the very top of the fork legs, it is this which I believe is causing the front end to still feel a little "loose".

What are my options here?  I see that this seller on ebay has seal kits for the Crosslink forks...http://stores.ebay.co.uk/We-Sell-XS_Cycling_W0QQ_fsubZ9257799QQ_sidZ92593645QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Which kit(s) would I need to overhaul the forks?

[w2zero]

You are 100% sure that the top clamps are fully seated down?  It usually takes me two or three tries and a ride to finish the adjustment.

[jimbob]

You are 100% sure that the top clamps are fully seated down?  It usually takes me two or three tries and a ride to finish the adjustment.

Well, I could be wrong, but the headset seems to be ok.
When I rock the bike on the front brake I can't feel or see any movement at the headset, it's at the linkage at the very top of the fork legs where I can see a very small amount of movement, and I mean very small, but I guess by the time the movement has transferred to the wheel it's more noticable.

I'm away with work for the next ten days, but as soon as I get a chance I'll take it for a ride and see what's what.


On a side not... I take it the two tiny screws on the linkage are covering grease ports? ( the WTB front hub has a similar thing)

and should the plastic end caps which cover the ends of the top linkage also be present on the lower linkage just below the bottom headset race? 

[Colin]

Well, the headset is now on, and it runs silky smooth  the old headset bottom race was well and truly buggered, looked like it hadn't seen any grease in years.

However.....

Some movement in the front end still remains, not as bad as it was, but it's still there.
I think I've traced it to the Crosslink forks. With the front brake on I can see a very small amount of movement at the linkage at the very top of the fork legs, it is this which I believe is causing the front end to still feel a little "loose".

What are my options here?  I see that this seller on ebay has seal kits for the Crosslink forks...http://stores.ebay.co.uk/We-Sell-XS_Cycling_W0QQ_fsubZ9257799QQ_sidZ92593645QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Which kit(s) would I need to overhaul the forks?

The seals won't allow any movement, they just stop dirt getting into the bearings, which possibly may need  replacing
he has them as well: K2 NOLEEN Pro-Flex RK006 Bearing Kit Girvan AL/X-Link

Bottom line is, that you probably need to do a full strip and service on the forks to see if there are any problems.
It's not difficult and very therapeutic if you have the time!

There's just the one grease port screw as I remember it on the upper pivot axle I believe?

The plastic bits I think you are referring to are just bump protectors to stop the forks damaging the frame too much at full rotation, I think they just came on the top pivots on later models and as aftermarket fork spares.

Col.

[fyrstormer]

Both of my headsets are FSA Orbits. I don't remember the models exactly, but the one on the 756 has cylinder bearings in the lower cup, and the one in the 857 has ball bearings in both cups.