Hope Pick n Mix headset Top Cup with Smoothie Mixer Bottom?

Right, dumb question maybe, but anyway…

I have an on-one Smoothie Mixer headset on my carbon 456.
Great bike, not so great headset. This is the second one of these headsets now I’ve had that’s had the top cup bearings bearings go shot in a year.
The bottom bearing (1.5 inch, for 1 1/8 steerer) seems pretty solid, – but I’m thinking the top one isn’t up to much.

I’m wondering is there any reason I can’t just get a Hope top cup (from Hope pick n mix headset, traditional fit) and use it with the Smoothie Mixer bottom cup?
eg.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=70725

Also, does anyone know if the top cup includes a top cap and star nut?
(I know Hope are usually using Head Doctor)or can I just use the existing Smoothie Mixer top cap and nut.

Cheers!!

No reason you can’t do it as long as your steerer is long enough to cope with any variation in stack height between them(if you have at least one 5mm spacer, you’ll be fine). Fairly sure it’ll come with the top cap/expander plug as it’s sold as half of a complete headset, but there’s nothing to stop you using your old set up or just the Hope cap/bolt(just remember the bolt is aluminium, numpty hamfists break them easily).

The bottom cup of the smoothie mixer is pretty rubbish too. I just got the whole hope set up. No reason a mix wont work though

Hope headset rubber “seals” don’t live up to their name.