track headset okay for road?

la2sei said:

i have an older bike with a rather short 1 inch threaded steerer tube. my old headset is a suntour superbe. current shimano is too tall. saw a low stack height track headset (dura ace 30mm). would it be okay for road use? any other suggestions. did think about going to a carbon fiber fork. would probably have to change to threadless then. thanks

If you get a new fork, then you can get whatever kind of 1-inch headset you want. There are still 1-inch threaded forks available, but threadless would be better if you also need a new headset anyway and stems aren't that expensive. Otherwise, you should be fine with the DA track option-although there will be no fancy seals so you would have to keep it clean and well-greased.

i have a da track hdst in use on my road bike, it is superb, all stainless and high precision. it was needed due to the steerer being a bit short.

the only disadvantage is the lack of total environmental seal, it uses hard plastic rings rather than any rubber o-ring type seals. should not be a big deal, this all stainless hdst could run dry and outperform most...

also, beware upon installation, the cup covers are composite resin and will be easily damaged during installation by a mechanic not familiar with this.

a lbs did just that to me without so much as an apology. i got a new king hdst as a replacement from them, but it took some perserverance for them to come through with this.

la2sei said:

i have an older bike with a rather short 1 inch threaded steerer tube. my old headset is a suntour superbe. current shimano is too tall. saw a low stack height track headset (dura ace 30mm). would it be okay for road use? any other suggestions. did think about going to a carbon fiber fork. would probably have to change to threadless then. thanks

John M said:

If you get a new fork, then you can get whatever kind of 1-inch headset you want. There are still 1-inch threaded forks available, but threadless would be better if you also need a new headset anyway and stems aren't that expensive. Otherwise, you should be fine with the DA track option-although there will be no fancy seals so you would have to keep it clean and well-greased.

thanks for the info. i guess i'm rather old school, and simply like the asthetics of the quill stems, despite their being heavier.

lyotard said:

i have a da track hdst in use on my road bike, it is superb, all stainless and high precision. it was needed due to the steerer being a bit short.

the only disadvantage is the lack of total environmental seal, it uses hard plastic rings rather than any rubber o-ring type seals. should not be a big deal, this all stainless hdst could run dry and outperform most...

also, beware upon installation, the cup covers are composite resin and will be easily damaged during installation by a mechanic not familiar with this.

a lbs did just that to me without so much as an apology. i got a new king hdst as a replacement from them, but it took some perserverance for them to come through with this.

thanks, if i do go to the track headset, i will let my lbs know about the cup covers.