as above,or what else to consider for a similar price? cheers.

I have 4 of them, yet to have any issues after some years of use.

I have one on my Orange- no issues over 3 years including very muddy winters, still as smooth as ever.

As an alternative, I have a cane creek S8 with stainless bearings- for reasons that would take too long to explain, this has been on four frames/ two forks over the past five years- still on the same bearings, sealing if anything better than the Hope.

i have Hope headset on my orange five…. 2 years later still going strong…. 😉 through plenty if muddy winters muddy summers etc..lol 😉

They all have split crown races, good for easily swapping forks, if that’s useful to you.

think i’m sold,what’s the difference between integrated and semi integrated? do you just need less spacers?

there good but no better than fsa orbit XLII or mx both of which are lighter and much cheaper.

Semi is a 44mm cup that presses into the frame, Integrated is a frame that is designed with bearing seats in the headtube.

Hope headsets are very good quality.
I’ve run them for over 10years with no problems. Even my old sets are still going strong on the Kids’ bikes.

there good but no better than fsa orbit XLII or mx both of which are lighter and much cheaper.

And the FSA Orbit Extreme Pro is now £35 from certain outlets, rrp of £90, and is certainly much higher quality than anything out there with possible exception of a King. 10 year warranty too.

Hopes are ok, better than a cheapo caged bearing headset, but they’re not worth the money Hope charges compared to FSA or many others…

what’s the difference between integrated and semi integrated?

Chalk and cheese.

What frame have you got? What fork do you want to fit?

Raceface Deus headset. I have had mine over two years on three different frames and its a great headset. I Have had a few Hopes, new style and older one and there good but you can pick the Deus up at really good prices on ebay and even at the same money I would go for it over the Hope!

5 years of abuse on mine and still smooth as a baby’s bum.

Their CURRENT headsets are crap

The top seal is not fit for purpose and fails to prevent crud getting in

Don’t believe the hype, avoid

I’ve currently got Hopes and Kings on all my bikes
They’re the only 2 that have never failed
If you ride in shitty conditions I wouldn’t bother looking elsewhere

Everything else I’ve ever had FSA,Cane Creek etc. has needed new bearings every now and then at the very least.

Pre ordered my XC one when it first appeared in the mags. (sad bugger, eh?) and it is still going strong today. Been in 6 or 7 bikes and stayed buttery smooth. Can’t remember exact year but it must be circa 6-8 years. Reckon that’s fairly good value for money.

Whats with all this “are Hope over-rated” bull shite

It’ll be going on my ironhorse mk111,I think it’s a semi integrated I’ll need.

The point is that everyone recommending them are talking about the old version, not what arrives if the OP orders one

Buy something else with better seals

The point is that everyone recommending them are talking about the old version

no I’m not

“Never failed” how long you talking ?

Overkill for the road do you reckon?

got it down to these 2,any experience of either?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=35225
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=51070