Headsets are an inherently difficult thing to review. They don't make you go faster, they don't soak up the bumps and in general, they don't improve your riding at all. Typically, you install them and you replace them. Nothing more.

So what does a headset do you ask? It simply allows your front wheel to turn left and right. Headsets contain the bearings where the fork connects to the frame and where the stem connects to the frame. Without these bearings you could only go straight.

Under normal riding conditions, the O.E.M. headset that came with your bike will work great for one to two years (less if you ride in wet conditions). After that, you will at the least need to repack the bearings and possibly more.

Enter the Chris King headset. Chris King is in a class of its own when it comes to quality and durability. I've been stress testing a King headset for the past three years and it still performs just like new. And I've been testing it year round through Northwest winters, nasty terrain, and more. The craftsmanship is so precise and the seals are so good that the headset will often times outlive your bike.

Chris King headsets are available for both threaded and threadless setups and come in 1", 1 1/8", 1 1/4", and what they call Devolution which steps a 1 1/4" headtube down to accept a 1 1/8" fork. All have the same unbelievable quality.

The only knock against Chris King headsets is the price. The MSRP for the headsets is $149.00. At first, that sounds like a lot of money, but it is more than worth it. You will NEVER have to touch your headset again except to move it to your next bike. Yes, it's that good.

Who's it for:

Anybody with a bike. Especially if your headset is older than two years

Who isn't it for:

Anybody who already has a King headset.

Click here to buy a Chris King headset now.