Hope Headset Type 5 and E the same?
Looking at the topcup (HSC%?) E,One way up it says E ZS56/40, the other it says 5 ZS56/38.1
So can I use that as both a topcup/bearing, and a bottom cup/bearing?
(are they interchangeable?)

Top is shaped for a cap, bottom for a fork crown race. I wouldn’t

Yet I see this on an an ebay Hope bearing set listing

“1.5” Headset Kit : 2 x 1.5″ headset bearings (40 ID x 52 OD x 7H 45˚ Angle)”
so I assume that the angles are the same

i’ve just had the same issues, choosing the correct pick n mix is a minefield.

Mine is due to arrive today, so will know later..
I emailed, then rang Orange, and they even got it wrong !.

Good luck.

The actual cup will be the same I would have thought as the 1 and a bit mm difference is the flair at the base for the race to sit on, the stem would be 38.1mm where it passes through both cups, both are zero stack so should be exactly the same cup.

Obviously you’re going to get different bits with a top and bottom application though, but if you had the right washers etc and crown race anyway it should be fine. If you’re just trying to order bearings they’re identical I’m sure.

I would have thought the cups would be subtly different

Nick has got it. Same cup and bearing, lower (E) comes with a crown race, upper (5) comes with top cap, tapered ring for gripping the steerer and a few shims to get the seal pre-load right.

thanx dave
are they plastic shims, and how do you know how many to use?

They’re thin metal shims that fit between the top cap and tapered ring. I usually do it by trial and error. Too many and you’ll be able to see a gap between top cup and seal, too few and it will feel draggy.

the top cap arrived, fits the bottom well
the crown race/seal off a 44mm bottom fits perfectly
and I now have a spare 56mm top cap!