It seems like the only option for me with having a short steerer.
Do the SL (silver looking ones) hold up better than the standard (black) ones?
Failing this it'll have to be a combo of new stem with a low height and another lowish stack height headset.
Trying to think of something good to say but as the bearings disintegrated in mine after three months, I'm struggling.
Erm, it looked nice. Came in a nice box too.
Yes, the distributors are nice folk. This is good, as you will be contacting them if you buy one 😉
Best thing you can say about them is that they were cheap.
I had one, for the low stack issue - the cups rusted after a couple of rides, and the rust was all over the bearings very quickly after that. CRC refunded my cash very promptly and courteously, their good service was the highlight of the ownership experience.
I would imagine the stainless one would be a bit better, but....
Check out the Ragley Stubby stem, it might solve your short steerer issues more reliably.
SL seems to be fine. I've had one fitted for over a year and it works/looks just like it was new.
"You won't have to put up with it for very long"
They do work, I got one as my latest bike had a long headtube.
My bearings died after a while (can't remember how long), got in touch with 2Pure who distribute them and got 2 replacements on warranty. they also gave me a spare crown race for free so I could leave it on my spare forks.
I'd recommend going for the SL version as the paint will scrape off the carbon steel one and it'll go rusty.
Bearings can be maintained (and need to be) easily by pulling back the seal with a pick and packing new grease in.
However, they're certainly not fit-and-forget. Well, they are, but you'll be reminded in a few months when you can't go round corners...
Just checked my emails, it lasted 15 months before I got in touch with 2Pure, so not too bad. Sort of...
Mixed then. It's an option. There's a m part slimline headset that's 24mm height I was contemplating. I suppose a combo of this and the ragley stem might be a better combo. Only looking to lose 7mm max.
What's the clamp height of the ragley stem? Looks nice
Never seen a figure for the Ragley stack height, but from the pic it's about 30mm tops.
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Sounds good. Doesn't look like some of those short dh/freeride stems really either. Cheers for the info.
If anybody knows of any lowish stack headsets.....
How low is low?
FSA Orbit Extreme is only 30mm, and they're superb headsets. And cheap from various places right now.
There are even lower stack height stems than those suggested too if you look around. Get on CRC and just have a browse maybe...
I've got an fsa orbit extreme you can have for cheap. Much better than crank brothers tat.
I've got one of the older Iodine all mountain ones on my cross bike, it's been on about a year now daily use through the winter with all the salt and crap (admittedly with full mudguards) and so far it's doing fine.
I did only pay £24 in one of CRC's sales no to fussed if it doesn't last much longer.
The extreme won't be low enough. I need sub 25mm hence the crank bros coming up. With the 30mm ragley I suppose I might be able to get away with a couple of mm more but 30 is too big.
Think I'm going to go for one of these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24982 and just hope it's ok. Warranty leaves me safe I suppose anyway. I like cleaning and regreasing things often anyway!
If anybody has anything to tell me before I do it, shout now.......
I've just fitted one of those; it looks nice,it was cheap, the bars turn and it does have a very low stack height. Ridden it 4 times and it hasn't disintegrated yet. Worth a try.
had mine for a year, fitted to winter bike so gets plenty of abuse - still going strong. PITA to fit as very tight + i have heard the cups can shatter easily when fitting
Cane Creek pick and mix or whatever they call it
mines been on through winter, seems ok 🙂
swap the bearings out for something more durable from your local bearing shop