Best Cycling Headsets of 2025
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Cycling headsets are an important component of a bicycle's steering system that connects the fork and handlebars. They typically consist of bearings, cups, and a crown race that allow for smooth rotation of the fork and handlebars. High-quality cycling headsets can improve the handling and stability of a bike, providing a more comfortable and efficient ride. With various types and designs available, it's important to choose the right headset that fits your bike and riding style.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 10 Cycling Headsets
Modonghua 4444S 44mm Aluminium Bike Headset
The Modonghua 4444S Headset is designed for mountain bikes and features a 44 mm size with a 1-1/8 inch fitting. Its easy installation means you can quickly replace your old headset, enhancing your riding experience. Made from aluminium alloy, it is both lightweight and durable, ensuring long-lasting performance. The semi-integrated design provides a secure fit for your fork tube, making your bike more reliable and enjoyable to ride.
FSA Orbit 1.5E Integrated Headset - Black
The FSA Orbit Headset is designed for cyclists seeking reliability and performance. With a size of 1.1/8" and 36x45 ACB, it ensures a secure fit for your bicycle. This headset is compatible with tapered head tubes of 50mm/62mm in outer diameter, making it versatile for various bike models. The transition from a 1.1/8" to a 1.5" steerer enhances steering precision, providing you with a smoother ride and improved handling. Investing in this headset will elevate your cycling experience significantly.
FSA Orbit Equipe Threadless Headset - Black
The FSA Orbit Equipe Headset offers excellent durability and performance for cyclists. With its forged and CNC machined 6061T6 aluminium top cups, you benefit from a lightweight yet strong structure. The lower cup, crafted from 1.2mm thin forged steel, ensures added strength and resilience against wear. Additionally, the TH brand 36° micro angular contact bearings enhance steering precision, providing you with smooth handling on your rides. Overall, this headset brings reliability and comfort to your cycling experience.
FSA Orbit MX 1-1/8" Threadless Headset
The FSA Orbit MX Headset is designed for cyclists who need reliability and performance. With a 1-1/8" size and a 36°/36° angle, it ensures a smooth steering experience. The outer diameter of 34mm allows for compatibility with various bike frames, offering flexibility in your cycling setup. The alloy top cover adds durability, protecting your headset from wear and tear. This headset comes in an OEM package, which means you receive exactly what is pictured, simplifying your purchase decision.
FSA Orbit MX 1-1/8 Inch MTB Headset
The FSA Orbit MX Headset is a high-quality cycling component designed for mountain and road bikes. Featuring a 1-1/8 inch size and a 36°/36° angular contact bearing (ACB), it ensures smooth steering and stability while riding. The alloy top cover adds durability, protecting the headset from wear and tear. Additionally, the 7075 aluminium crown race provides lightweight strength, enhancing the overall performance of your bike. This headset comes in an OEM package, including a top cap and starnut for easy installation.
FSA No.10 Semi-Integrated Headset - Black
The FSA No.10 Headset is designed for a 50mm outer diameter head tube, ensuring a snug fit for your bike. With a 1.1/8-inch steer, it provides compatibility with various fork and frame types. The alloy custom top cover adds durability, protecting against wear and tear. This headset enhances your riding experience by ensuring smooth steering and control, making it a reliable choice for cyclists looking to improve their setup.
FSA The Pig Heavy-Duty Headset for Bikes
The FSA The Pig Headset is an excellent choice for cyclists looking for durability and performance. Its forged chromoly steel lower cup ensures strength, providing a reliable base for your bike's steering. The 12mm deep cup made from 6061/T6 aluminium adds to the headset's robustness, making it suitable for various cycling styles. Super oversized lower ball bearings offer smooth and efficient rotation, enhancing your riding experience. This headset comes in an OEM package, guaranteeing that what you see is what you get.
BBB Unisex Powerhead Headset Expander for Bikes
The BBB Powerhead Headset Expander features an expander clamping mechanism that effectively distributes forces across your head tube. This is particularly useful for both aluminium and carbon forks, ensuring that your head tube remains undamaged during use. With its great grip, you will notice a stiffer bike, enhancing your overall riding experience. The plug length of 40 mm and a fork size of 1.1/8” make it a versatile choice for many cycling enthusiasts.
FSA Orbit C-40 Integrated Headset 1-1/8 to 1.5 Inches
The FSA Orbit C-40 Headset is designed for cyclists seeking durability and performance. With a 1-1/8 inch upper and 1.5 inch bottom, it offers compatibility with a variety of bike frames. The alloy top cover adds strength and reduces weight, enhancing your ride. Packaged as an OEM item, it arrives exactly as shown, ensuring you know what to expect. This headset comes as a complete set, making installation straightforward and convenient for your cycling needs.
Yosoo Health Gear CNC Bicycle Headset
The Yosoo Health Gear Headset offers exceptional quality, crafted from high-grade aluminium alloy for remarkable durability and wear resistance. Its CNC high-precision processing ensures a seamless fit, preventing fading and deformation over time. This headset is designed to fit most 34mm bicycle frame head tubes, providing confidence in its compatibility. Moreover, it works effortlessly with 28.6mm straight steering forks, making it a versatile choice for your cycling needs. This means you can enjoy a reliable performance with easy installation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a headset in cycling?
Your bike's headset is the bearing assembly that keeps your fork attached to your bicycle, and it's what allows you to turn your fork and handlebars to steer your bicycle.
2. How do you size a headset?
Threaded headset sizes are designated by the outer diameter of the steering column. This can seem confusing, because the head cups do not measure the named standard. The threaded standards are 1 inch, 1-1/8 inch, and 1-1/4 inch headsets.
3. What is a zero stack headset?
ZS (Zero Stack) The internal headset uses bearings that sit below or at least flush with the headtube (figure 3). This system is also called Zero Stack, or semi-integrated. There is a removable cup that holds and supports the bearing in the headtube. The cup uses the top or bottom edge of the headtube as a stop.
During our cycling headset research, we found 306 cycling headset products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,495 customer reviews through our big data system to write the cycling headsets list. We found that most customers choose cycling headsets with an average price of £19.45.
The cycling headsets are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of cycling headsets, including Modonghua, FSA, BBB, Yosoo Health Gear. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 103 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.