Chris King Headsets

Why We Make This: The simple answer is that many contemporary bicycle frame designs call for the headset bearings to ride inside the frame’s headtube. After decades of making press-in bearing headsets, we needed to make headsets that worked in these newer frames. From the beginning we understood that integrated headsets posed a unique challenge in that the bearings are not pressed into a cup and sit loosely in the frame. When bearings are not pressed securely into a cup they shift and move, rapidly losing preload. As preload drops, the bearings are more susceptible to creaking, damage, and failure. That’s a problem we know how to solve. Why You Want It: Enter, our patented GripLock™ bearing cap. The GripLock™ preloads the headset independently of clamping onto the steerer, so it retains preload far better than the competition and is impervious to the ill effects of load spikes from large hits and heavy braking. This means smoother steering, no more creaking, and a longer lasting headset. Our GripLock™ design also takes the guesswork out of preloading a headset, because the bearing preload force is independent of the clamping force. Our headsets can be preloaded to a torque spec. Compatible with Open, 3T, All City, Low, Cinelli, Lynskey, and more. - Engineered, manufactured and assembled in Portland, Oregon USA - King Lifetime Warranty - Legendary made-in-house bearings - Patented GripLock® retention design for dependable headset adjustment (US Patent 8662517) - 42mm 45x45 upper bearing for 2.8-3.0mm bearing ream depth. - 52mm 45x45 lower bearing - Compatible with our included baseplate and 45 degree integrated crown races

Chris King DropSet 3 Headset. - Crown Race: 30 - S.H.I.S. Stem Clamp Diameter: 28.6 Threadless - Bearing Type: Cartridge - S.H.I.S Lower: IS52 - S.H.I.S Upper: IS41

Why We Make This The simple answer is that many contemporary bicycle frame designs call for the headset bearings to ride inside the frame's headtube. After decades of making press-in bearing headsets, we needed to make headsets that worked in these newer frames. From the beginning we understood that integrated headsets posed a unique challenge in that the bearings are not pressed into a cup and sit loosely in the frame. When bearings are not pressed securely into a cup they shift and move, rapidly losing preload. As preload drops, the bearings are more susceptible to creaking, damage, and failure. That's a problem we know how to solve. Why You Want It Enter, our patented GripLock™ bearing cap. The GripLock™ preloads the headset independently of clamping onto the steerer, so it retains preload far better than the competition and is impervious to the ill effects of load spikes from large hits and heavy braking. This means smoother steering, no more creaking, and a longer lasting headset. Our GripLock™ design also takes the guesswork out of preloading a headset, because the bearing preload force is independent of the clamping force. Our headsets can be preloaded to a torque spec. Compatible with many Specialized mountain bike frames, see headtube specifications here. Not compatible with the 21'-22' Stumpjumper EVO. - Engineered, manufactured and assembled in Portland, Oregon USA - King Lifetime Warranty - Legendary made-in-house bearings - Patented GripLock® retention design for dependable headset adjustment (US Patent 8662517) - 42mm 45x45 upper bearing for 6.85-7.05mm bearing ream depth. - 52mm 45x45 lower bearing - Compatible with our included baseplate and 45 degree integrated crown races

Why We Make This The simple answer is that many contemporary bicycle frame designs call for the headset bearings to ride inside the frame’s headtube. After decades of making press-in bearing headsets, we needed to make headsets that worked in these newer frames. From the beginning we understood that integrated headsets posed a unique challenge in that the bearings are not pressed into a cup and sit loosely in the frame. When bearings are not pressed securely into a cup they shift and move, rapidly losing preload. As preload drops, the bearings are more susceptible to creaking, damage, and failure. That’s a problem we know how to solve. Why You Want It Enter, our patented GripLock™ bearing cap. The GripLock™ preloads the headset independently of clamping onto the steerer, so it retains preload far better than the competition and is impervious to the ill effects of load spikes from large hits and heavy braking. This means smoother steering, no more creaking, and a longer lasting headset. Our GripLock™ design also takes the guesswork out of preloading a headset, because the bearing preload force is independent of the clamping force. Our headsets can be preloaded to a torque spec. Compatible with Santa Cruz, Yeti, Alchemy, Santa Cruz Stigmata (without baseplate), Ibis Hakka MX, and more. - Engineered, manufactured and assembled in Portland, Oregon USA - King Lifetime Warranty - Legendary made-in-house bearings - Patented GripLock® retention design for dependable headset adjustment (US Patent 8662517) - 41mm 45x45 upper bearing - 52mm 36x45 lower bearing - Compatible with the included baseplate and 36 degree integrated crown races

The Inset headset offers Chris King's trademark quality and durability in a low-stack configuration sized for contemporary headtube dimensions. King's legendary made-in-house bearings still form the centerpiece of the Inset headsets, with precisely machined aluminum cups and headset caps available in all ten classic Chris King colors. The Inset 2 is compatible with tapered 1-1/8 - 1-1/2-inch forks and frames using a 44/56mm headtube.

Why We Make This Contemporary bicycle frame designs are incorporating larger diameter headtubes and forks with tapered-steerers to improve the bike's front end stiffness, and as a result handling accuracy. This move has made particular sense for off-road bikes. We evolved the form and function of our legendary NoThreadset to address the variety of tapered steerers and headtubes on the market today. Why You Want It Every Chris King headset is built with our heat-treated bearings, and surgical-grade steel races machined simultaneously to ensure they are perfectly matched. As Chris King bearing tracks age and burnish, they actually get smoother, and all headsets are fully serviceable for years upon years of demanding riding. The Chris King InSet™ 7 combines seamless design and legendary quality in a 44mm headset with an external lower cup that is a precision headset option for your 1.5” tapered steerer fork. Our InSet™ 7 is equipped with our exclusive built-in-house bearings and our patented GripLock® system for precise fit and function. - Engineered, manufactured and assembled in Portland, Oregon USA - King Lifetime Warranty - Legendary made-in-house bearings - Patented GripLock® retention design for dependable headset adjustment (US Patent 8662517) - Responsibly lightweight - Designed specifically for a 44mm straight headtube and a 1-1/8” to 1.5” tapered steerer tube