Headsets

Headset Buying Guide

The headset sits between your frame's head tube and the fork steerer tube, providing the bearings that allow smooth steering. It's a fit-and-forget component — once installed correctly, a quality headset lasts years. The challenge is navigating the sizing standards.

Headset Standards

Three main types exist. Zero Stack (ZS) — the bearings sit inside the head tube with a pressed-in cup. The most common modern MTB standard. External Cup (EC) — the bearing cups sit outside the head tube. Older standard, still found on some bikes. Integrated (IS) — the bearings sit directly in the head tube with no separate cup (the head tube IS the cup). Less common on MTBs. Most modern mountain bikes use a ZS44 top and ZS56 or EC56 bottom — this is the "tapered" setup that accepts a 1-1/8" to 1.5" tapered steerer.

Sizing

Headset size refers to the bore diameter of the head tube at top and bottom. Common MTB combinations: ZS44/ZS56 (standard tapered), ZS44/EC49 (some older tapered frames), EC34/EC34 (straight 1-1/8" steerer, older bikes). The number is the bore diameter in mm. You need to know your frame's head tube standard and bore diameter to get the right headset — this information is in your frame's spec sheet or can be measured with callipers.

Chris King, Hope, Cane Creek

Chris King headsets are the gold standard — precision machined, fully serviceable, available in a rainbow of anodised colours, and they last essentially forever. Hope headsets offer similar quality at a lower price point, also made in the UK with full bearing and seal kits available. Cane Creek makes excellent mid-range headsets and the 40 Series is the value benchmark. FSA and Wolf Tooth cover the budget to mid-range well.

Maintenance

Headset bearings need minimal maintenance — regrease them once or twice a year, or when steering feels notchy. If the headset develops play (the fork rocks back and forth in the head tube), first check the stem bolts and top cap preload before blaming the bearings. Loose stem bolts are the most common cause of headset "play" and the fix is a 30-second adjustment, not a new headset.