Crank brothers head...
 

[Closed] Crank brothers headsets. Are they as useless as people make out?

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I need a low stack headset for my new build and these are pretty cheap. They get terrible reviews and seem to rust quickly.

What are your experiences and is there anything else I should consider? (<26mm stack)


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:05 pm
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Hobsons choice 😐


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:13 pm
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Use a smaller stack stem? Measure the steerer better before cutting/buying?


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:18 pm
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Just fitted mine last week and the stack height is indeed low. The bearings looked ok and its held up fine so far to all of two whole rides! Fingers crossed it stays that way...


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:24 pm
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Just stuck one on my Soul for the very same reason - could have used a shorter stem, but had a nice Thomson stem I wanted to use, so cheapo headset it was.

I'm pretty sure it'll be short lived, think it was even a teeny bit notchy out of the box, but it went in easy, looks real nice, and was 20 quid, so **** it. One thing - there's no replacing the bearings (at least not without a lot of hassle) 'cos the bearing shell and headset cup are one and the same.


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:28 pm
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So the consensus is that they are cack. Surely there must be something out there that is half decent and about 25mm stack?


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:33 pm
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Fitted one to a mates bike and the very next ride it 'exploded'! 😯 And when I say 'exploded', that's exactly what I mean!

The external cup (the bit that sits on the outside of the frame) on the bottom of the headtube went 'BANG' when my mate hit a storm drain on Dartmoor and when we stopped something looked strange ❓ After a bit of chin rubbing & thoughtful consideration we found out what the BANG was.....

The external cup on the bottom has shattered and was completely missing. One dead headset after one ride....so in answer to you posted question, IMO they are useless.


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:35 pm
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FSA Orbit Extreme, 25,5mm. £30 at on-one, might find them cheaper on ebay though.


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:43 pm
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I hate all cranks brothers kit - totally unreliable crap. Never known a single person who has enjoyed ownerhship of their products.

Had a pair of pedals that developed play in 1 month of riding.


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:44 pm
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TBH, that seems more like an installation error


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:45 pm
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Cheers vinnyeh, I'll just about get away with that. Hopefully will last quite a bit longer than the cb one 🙂


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:49 pm
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druidh - Member

TBH, that seems more like an installation error

Not the case - Crank Bros didn't hang about in replacing as there was a manufacturing fault.


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:58 pm
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i used one, it was useless........it was however replaced under warranty without question but i sold on the replacement.

as i recall it was a beautiful bit of kit, only problem was it was made of tinfoil and lasted 3 rides!

like the OP got it due to having limited steerer length but found a raceface deus was pretty small stack-height wise too.


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 9:06 pm
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I ran one on my Bullit with lyriks and 888s for the same reason as you. Had no problems with it at all over the course of 18 months or so. Mind you, when I removed it it did come out a bit too easy for my liking, two taps and out! That was the DH one that looks like it's exactly the same as the XC and Freeride ones. Get the deep insertion one if you're getting one perhaps.


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 9:27 pm
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Had one it works ok but after a year the outer finish rusted off. Regular cleaning of greasing of bearings needed as seals are pants aswell. Its in the bin now.


 
Posted : 09/08/2011 7:28 am
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cr@p bros represent everything that is wrong with this industry.. blingy coloured overpriced pap that fails to perform the most basic of functions... i hope they go down the pan


 
Posted : 09/08/2011 8:26 am