Just bought an FSA integrated headset for the road bike. There's no additional seal on the lower crown 'race' thing only in the bearing itself.
Is this normal? Is this a really bad idea?
A lot more headsets are like that then with a seal IME. Extra seals don't make much difference to longevity. In fact the worst headset I've had was a cane creek with extra seal - terrible for letting water in!
Hmm.. thinking maybe any seal would have to rely on the headtube to seal against, which isn't the best finished thing - being carbon. The nicely sealed Hope one I have has its own well machined bearing cup for the seal to pop into. Makes sense I suppose.
This is probably one to pack with grease.
Cane creek headsets are notoriously badly sealed. Bitd, we used to wrap a neoprene strip around the lower cup, not seen that for years
Lizard Skins (amongst others) still make the neoprene headset protectors, cost £2 or so.
The cartridge bearings in my headset have gone stiff with signs of rust after just one ride. And that's with proper mudguards. So I've just repacked the bearings full of fresh grease.
That's an FSA too