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Litespeed 2002 Ultimate... Headset Recomendations?

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Litespeed 2002 Ultimate... Headset Recomendations?

Old 10-09-19, 11:36 PM
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La Brea Bike
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Litespeed 2002 Ultimate... Headset Recomendations?

I am doing an "Ultimate" build on my Unicorn One Year Litespeed Ultimate frame I finally found, (full 9100 D/A, Navy Anno Chris King as much as available, etc.). The one thing I can't figure out is a headset worthy of this build... The Semi-integrated setup leaves few options. Anyone have a favorite worthy of a Unicorn build???
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Old 10-10-19, 07:25 AM
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Not sure it's "worthy" but when in doubt, I believe the best choice for a default headset is Cane Creek.
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Old 10-10-19, 09:48 AM
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It came stock with a Cane Creek headset. Why not just use a CC headset now?

What are the measurements- i assume its a 1 1/8 headset but since very few on here will realistically know the details of a small production bike from 17 years ago without looking up info, if you provide measurements then others can suggest compatible options.
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Old 10-10-19, 11:08 AM
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Yeah, guess CC will have to do. It just doesnt match the level of the Chris king stuff.
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Old 10-10-19, 12:35 PM
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Strip off the logos and write King on it.
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Old 10-10-19, 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by La Brea Bike
Yeah, guess CC will have to do. It just doesnt match the level of the Chris king stuff.
In what way is a CC 110 worse than a King headset? For that matter, not sure how a CC 50 is worse in any meaningful way, but it is cheaper.

King doesnt make the style of headset you need?
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Old 10-10-19, 01:53 PM
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Call King and have one made? It's a "unicorn build" after all.
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Old 10-10-19, 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Maslin
Call King and have one made? It's a "unicorn build" after all.
In that case, must have ceramic bearings. Right??
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Old 10-11-19, 12:48 AM
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So, I had hoped that I could match the blue anno hubs and BB... Yea, CC isn't poor quality, it's just "standard duty" which I have happily on other bikes, just not what I am going for here...
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Old 10-11-19, 01:58 AM
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Originally Posted by La Brea Bike
Yea, CC isn't poor quality, it's just "standard duty" which I have happily on other bikes, just not what I am going for here...
I mean, it's a freaking headset. Anything that isn't brinelled is about as good as it gets. What functional goal are you aiming for, exactly?
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Old 10-11-19, 03:55 AM
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In vintage steel bikes the install made almost as much difference as the headset. Unless the races were parallel brinelling was far more likely. Don’t know about the Litespeed
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Old 10-12-19, 08:16 AM
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Chris King does make integrated headset. But they are for tapered forks.

https://chrisking.com/collections/dropset

If you are looking for aesthetics to match the other Chris Kings parts. Perhaps mate the top portion of the Chris King parts with the CC bearings.
You get the CK look....just not the CK guts.

A blue CK BB would really button up the build.....may a blue NOKON cable kit.
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Old 10-12-19, 09:50 AM
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I have a CK on my 2003 Airborne. Navy Blue subdued. Also CK Navy Blue hubs. Just get a CK headset and never have to worry about it again.
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Old 10-12-19, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by La Brea Bike
I am doing an "Ultimate" build on my Unicorn One Year Litespeed Ultimate frame I finally found, (full 9100 D/A, Navy Anno Chris King as much as available, etc.). The one thing I can't figure out is a headset worthy of this build... The Semi-integrated setup leaves few options. Anyone have a favorite worthy of a Unicorn build???
I don't understand why you don't find a matching Chris King headset. Aren't you looking for a 1 1/8" Inset semi integrated headset? You could probably find one in silver, which complements navy pretty well. I know they're not in production anymore, but they made them and they're out there. I'd ask around at bigger bike shops, and set up an alert on eBay. Also, AVT Bike is a big Chris King dealer; they might have one in some drawer.

Otherwise, there are other blingy headsets out there.
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Old 11-02-19, 08:00 PM
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My 2001 Ultimate has the same CC headset since I built it in 2004.
Over 72k miles ridden and still works fine.
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