Headset recommendation

[jgjones095]

Hi all

Been out of the biking world for too long.

Looking for recommendations on headsets for 1 1/8 threadless mid/late 90s bike.

Not wanting a Chris king or anything.
Ideally with sealed bearings, not balls in cages.

Cheers

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re:

FSA?

 

[ishaw]

Re:

FSA of the era were good, I think orbit was the model. Not sure how far back hope headsets go. Onza mongo?

 

[rwm1962]

Beware the early Hope headsets. Excellent though they are the bearings were a special size & unobtainable (although I'll be happy to be told otherwise)

 

[jgjones095]

Re:

Any recommendations on which FSA models to look out for?
I also recall Cane Creak from that era but not which models.

What ones are available new in today’s biking world?

 

[mdvineng]

this https://www.wiggle.co.uk/fsa-orbit-uf-b ... -aheadset/

 

[legrandefromage]

Cheap, sealed, very smooth, never had any sort of problem yet except the colours fade quicker than my dreams

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-1-8-34MM-B ... h_TZWHcZpg

 

[2manyoranges]

The Onza Mongo was a brave attempt to get beyond the endlessly-coming-loose headsets of the 1990s and was utter c++p. Notionally good, with roller bearings offering greater contact area (a very good thing) and tapered bearings (offering stability), it worked extraordinarily poorly, due to poor geometry (allowing rocking in the steerer) and was made from cheese (very soft alloy).

Of viable options the Mavic taper roller headsets were excellent - although with bonkers stack height. But yes, FSA (orbit models) were simple, boring....and worked.

 

[jgjones095]

Was going to avoid eBay special!

Cheers for the wiggle link, is there an fsa with sealed bearing top and bottom though?

 

[hamster]

Hope: I've still got the ones I bought 15 years ago going strong.