Ok, I have a budget for building up a bike of about £300 – £400, although I have some bits already. Question is, how much should I spend on a headset? What should I look out for and should I risk a second hand one?

Thoughts please!

White Cane Creek for 20 quid.

£35 for either a FSA MX or Cane Creek S3, FSA and CC headsets are both made under licence by TH industries so essentialy the same headsets.

Spending more money the S8 is a good option (its an S3 with stainles steel bearings), but borderline Chris King money. Hope are good if you want to keep it local(ish).

The more you spend the longer it’ll last, but arround £35 seems to be the difference between having to service it every month and only needing a smear of grease on the seals every so often to keep the worst of the rust at bay.

New FSA sealed bearing one.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/HSFSOMX/fsa-orbit-mx-headset
£25

You need look no further than soma_rich’s link. Bomb-proof bargain

S8 is 35 quid at merlin. http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/MTB++Parts/MTB+Accessories/Headsets/Cane+Creek+S8+Headset_1235.htm

You need look no further than soma_rich’s link. Bomb-proof bargain

3rd’d. Got them on all my bikes so I can steal relatively fresh bearings from the commuter whilst new ones are on order.

Cane Creek S3 for £23 CRC

You need look no further than soma_rich’s link

£22 @ CRC

Although I’d go for the £25 XLII personally.

is it ever worth going 2nd hand?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cane-Creek-S1-MTB-Road-Bike-Headset-1-1-8-/280676669143?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item4159a216d7

£15 for a Cane Creek with cartridge bearings.

is it ever worth going 2nd hand?

Yeah, some people sell on high-end ones like King and Hope still in good condition.

Used King, £50 on here. It’ll work forever.