Thankfully, there is a standard of sorts for headsets to help navigate you through the array of parts, and – moreover – the names of parts on the market. If you’re shopping around, you’ll notice different brands have different names for the same headset type.

Instead, the head tube is bored with conical seats. When preload is applied, these angled seats result in the bearings self-aligning, as well as securing them in place, creating a rigid assembly. An integrated headset does away with the bearing cups, with the bearings dropped into pre-shaped seats at either end of the head tube – the head tube takes over the duties of the bearing cups. In our experience, this measurement is unlikely to vary much between headset designs, and any differences are likely to be negligible. Special and unusual headsets

Brand-X Semi Integrated 44IETS Sealed Headset

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Depending on the length of the quill, you can adjust the height of the stem easily by sliding it further up or down inside the steerer and fixing it in the correct position. The top bearing carries only the axial load exerted by the preload that’s applied to hold the fork in place securely.It was once all so simple with only a few headset standards on the market. These days… well, it’s not quite that simple. Velo Orange

Almost all of the axial load experienced by the fork during riding will be carried by the lower bearing, because this is effectively sitting on top of the fork. Chain reaction Cycles and CRC are trading names of Wiggle Ltd (In Administration) registered in the United Kingdom at 1000 Lakeside, Suite 310, Third Floor N E Wing, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3EN, Older loose bearings rolled directly on the hardened steel race. Benedict Pfender / Immediate Media The stem – known as a quill stem – attaches separately, sliding inside the steerer tube. It is secured by tightening the top bolt, which engages an expanding wedge at its base to clamp the stem in place.Incidentally, the interface between bearing and fork is called the race (crown race and top race) because it originally acted as the raceway, with the bearing balls in the headset rolling directly on it. The number following the headset type denotes the head tube bore diameter (or bearing/cup outer diameter). The number is given in whole millimetres, but does not always correspond exactly to the dimensions of the bore. It has been claimed this configuration is a cost-saving measure on behalf of manufacturers. Rather than pressing a bearing cup into the frame, the bearing can simply be dropped in during assembly.

The SHIS (Standardised Headset Identification System) describes headsets in a way that makes it easier to find what you need. The conical shape of the race is centred on the fork steerer. This means it is self-centring on the bearing and, when preload is applied, the angled shape ensures it supports both axial and lateral loads. A top race performs the corresponding duties for the upper bearing.Defining the SHIS code will tell you what kind of headset will fit the bike, but there are also some additional choices you can make. An integrated headset creates a clean look (if you clean your bike). Benedict Pfender / Immediate Media As an example, a traditional 1-1/8in external threadless headset with a straight steerer would be defined as follows: