Chris King Threaded Headset

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at roadbike review ad

Favorite Ride:
merlin xlm

Bike Setup:
2001 merlin xlm

Summary:
it is a pity that i cannot use a chris king headset on my road bike, it has a hidden headset, if there is such a thing as a perfect bike component, the chris king head set, is the one, i purchased by chris king headset as an upgrade to my 1994 specialized stumpjumper, i have had 4 bikes since then, sold the bikes, but kept the headset, it still works flawlessly

Strengths:
zero

Weaknesses:
cost? this is a joke for a headset that last so long, it is like an, heirloom.

Similar Products Used:
factory installed, cane creek, specialized

Price Paid:  $99.00 at local bike shop

Favorite Ride:
Hunterdon County, NJ

Bike Setup:
1999 Litespeed Classic, LOOK LDS fork, Cinelli bar & stem, Turbo Matic saddle, Dura Ace 9 speed group, hand built tubulars

Summary:
The Rolls-Royce of bicycle components is the Chris King headset. Those that balk at the high price are fools. No one who owns one of these regrets spending a few extra bucks for a component that is so critical for the safe operation of a bicycle, that once properly installed, is virtually bombproof and maintenence-free for the lifetime of the frame. My first one went 8 years before I was even tempted to open up the seals and see if there was any contamination of the bearing grease, and there was none. it still looked new inside after 20,000 miles. I would not even consider any other headset after owning a King.

Strengths:
Best headset money can buy
Virtually bombproof and maintenence-free

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Dura Ace 7400, Tange

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
some said the finest bike component ever made?? could be and gotta rank up there along with Ultra Bora, FSA's Plasma and Giro's Atmos. it's smooth handling, great looking ( red ) and no need to clean/maintain. of course a bling machine.

Strengths:
purty
well design
cool colors ( different choices, mine is red )
smooth handling
no need to maintain/clean
lifetime warrenty??

Weaknesses:
absolutely none

Similar Products Used:
cane crek s2

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
no name spray painted commuter special with Mafac cantis, Mavic Cosmic wheels and a busted ass drivetrain.

Summary:
where to begin. I first spotted one of these headsets 13 or 14 years ago on a fellows Davidson that lead some local group rides. his equipment was already a couple of years old at that point. Well, 5 or 6 years later I was hard up for a ride and bought said Davidson off of him. I rode and rode and rode. I sold the frame awhile back having slapped the headset onto a cyclocross bike that I raced for a time. I'm still using the same damned headset on my commuter bike. I really don't expect to find myself without that particular headset on one bike or another for some time to come. I even used it for messengering and the potholes that are involved.
Oh...and another thing. One time, I was too eager trying to build up a bike that I damaged the bearings with a screwdriver. All I had to do was bring my bike down to the LBS looking suitably contrite and they shipped the poor chris king back to the factory for some new bearings for FREE! I have one on my MTB, road bike and commuter. If only all components were like this.

Strengths:
light, pretty, they still comes in wonderful colors. no need to think about it except, perhaps, in admiration. GOOD customer service.

Weaknesses:
moron + screwdriver = damaged bearings

Similar Products Used:
stronghlight,yst(7 dollars...you really can't complain),stx,mavic,campy chorus,ritchey

Price Paid:  $140.00

Bike Setup:
03 Nuke Proof Stealth, full XT / XTR, Spinergy Xyclone Disc wheels, Avid Juicy Seven hydraulic disc brakes, Fox Talas RL fork, Race Face System stem / handlebar, Easton EA70 seatpost

Summary:
For years, I'd heard the hype surrounding King's headsets, and a few days ago, I finally succumbed and bought one of these bad boys. For what it cost, I didn't initially expect it to perform as good as it was selling for, but man, the first ride I went on after having it installed, I was in bike nirvana! Velvety smooth steering, no more creaking and rubbing of the steer tube, I could go on and on, this thing kicks ass :)

Strengths:
Smooth, tough, and oh so killer looking too, and the fact that people look at you like you're the shiz with this thing doesn't hurt either

Weaknesses:
This thing ain't weak... the guy next to you on the trails, riding whatever cheap ass headset he's riding, now THAT is weak

Similar Products Used:
Too many to name, besides, they don't compare