Dia-Compe Gran Compe SE Threaded Headset

About Headsets

A bicycle headset attaches the fork to the frame, they consist of bearings and races which allow the forks steerer to move within the frames headtube. There are a few types of headset, these are threaded and ahead. Threaded headsets are the older type and use a thread on the forks steerer to adjust, an ahead type has no thread and uses a top cap to adjust the tension. Ahead headsets come in three options, external cup, internal and integrated. Integrated and internal headsets use bearings which fit inside the headtube and provide clean lines, whereas the external cup system uses cups which fit into the frame but are still visible. Most will use cartridge bearings which last well and have very low maintenance requirements, one thing worth doing is to switch the top and bottom bearing periodically, as the bottom bearings are more prone to wear as they support the weight of the bike and rider.