Giant SCR OCR headset replacement - advice sought

[slomo]

So i have one of those SCR's (i think some OCR's are the same) with the really bizarre headset.
It HAD to have been easier to spec' the frame with a standard 1 1/8 semi-integrated headset, but don't get me started.....
The recommended repacement is a piece of (caged bearing) junk - the only saving grace is that the top and bottom cups/bearings are the same, so i get two replacements from each headset (the top half lasts a reasonable amount of time).
But i grow weary of dismantling the bike, removing/pressing cups etc etc.
I'm almost sure there is a cartridge bearing alternative, but thought it prudent to at least ask if anyone has any first-hand experience of these?
I appreciate that i will still have to dismantle the bike, but it will save removing/replacing cups, save a significant amount of money and allow me to finally install some decent bearings.
The headset size is 1 1/8 - 28.6-41.4-30.
Picture of the damned things attached.
Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[slomo]

I'm answering my own question here, but just in case anyone is interested, there is a cartridge bearing headset available.
It's well worth replacing the crap that Giant recommend.
All of that scratchy, noisy, cheap - ness has gone.
Everything is now silent and as smooth as silk.

 

[Madmalx]

Just signed up to thank you for this - solved my problem

 

[slomo]

Glad it helped.
Further, if you do buy a headset and you just wanted to replace the bearings at some point.....
If you put the exact markings from the bearings into a search engine, they are available to buy seperately in the UK.
Mine are in the frame, otherwise i would list them here.
I will add though, that as far as i can remember they (just the bearings) were almost the same price as a complete headset.
I had a moan at Giant Spares (Revel Outdoors) along the lines of maybe letting 'someone' at Giant know that if they're going to sell bikes with ridiculous, proprietary components the least they can do is make decent spares available.
I'm not the sort to sell one bike and buy another, so i'm kind of stuck with the SCR.
But if and when the time comes, i'm definitely not even considering a Giant - simply becasue they seem intent on making customers' lives more difficult than they need to be (it would have been far simpler to spec' the bikes with standard 1 1/8 threadless headset bearings).
Anyway.....

 

[Gillies64]

Hi, do you have any recommendations for removing the headset cups. Im assuming the headset tool is needed.

 

[slomo]

Hmmm.....there is a 'correct' tool for that.....
But i use a piece of wooden dowel and a mallet (maybe don't try this at home).....
If they used anti-seize, copper slip, grease etc when they installed the cups, they should pop out with some gentle persuasion.
If they didn't - it can get a bit brutal (assuming you don't have the correct tool).
YouTube or similar probably has loads of 'hack' videos demonstrating.
Anyway.....