after searching around for a while, and not really getting any definitive explanation, can anyone advise what type of headset I require? I think it is Integrated but it could be semi integrated? Or integral? So confusing :/

thanks in advance

‘XX44’ 44mm ID headtube, so semi-integrated (flush-fit cups, bearings held in cups) at a push for straight steerer but lower stack height will be a bit low for some forks, so ideally an external lower cup (like this http://reviews.mtbr.com/files/2010/03/canecreek_XX_44.jpg ) for taper steerers.

just to stick a spanner in the works my alpitude has a standard external headset so may depend on the year??

It does depend on year, 2011 onwards had the larger head tube

Yes mine is the XX44. Semi integrated could be about right. I also have a (also 2011 on, xx44) Latitude, which has a FSA ACB headset. If I wanted to buy a hope, would I be looking for a semi integrated then? It’s all a bit confusing. Even bottom brackets are more simple than this.

thanks for the help

would this work??? says ID is 49mm? why is this so unnecessarily confusing?!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/hope/low-stack-15-stepdown-headset-ec027413

Firstly, are your forks straight 1 1/8″ or tapered steerer? Don’t think your link would work. It’s difficult to explain but as Jameso alludes to above, you may need to run an external cup depending on your fork. If you run an (semi) integrated headset the fork will be too far in the headtube and when you turn your forks 180 degrees the crown may contact the down tube, something you don’t want in an off as you may damage frame, fork or both. As far as I recall you don’t get a 44 external cup to suit 1 1/8″ but you can get a reducer (or expander, depending how you look at it) to fit a straight steerer in a tapered cup.

I quite agree it’s very confusing, this thread may be of some use – http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fork-fitting-question.

If you’re still stuck we’ll need to know what steerer type your forks are and also what length the steerer is as it would need to be longer to accomodate an external cup

Thanks for your help and info Chico. When you put it like that it does make more sense as, as I said, I have a latitude already which does exactly that, and does not have an external cup on the bottom. That said, not sure why you’d ever want to turn your forks more than 90 degrees either direction? In an accident I suppose.

The forks are (currently) 1 1/8th, with a good 200mm+ on the steerer. I’ve found plenty of top parts which will fit (probably for taper steerers) but the bottom seems the mess. The most confusing of all is the internal and external diameters. There seems to be no standard, and until you click onto every headset you are browsing, you have no idea what the size is!!

Good explanation Chico^
There was an attempt by a few in the bike trade to get a headset std drawn up, (edit – http://www.canecreek.com/tech-center/headsets/shis/overview) but if I said you needed a ZS44/28.6 upper and EC44/40 lower cups I’m not sure if it would help find one. I think Hope use it but it doesn’t bring anything up on their site. tbh I hardly ever use it either.
It means Zero Stack 44mm ID, 28.6 upper steerer for the upper cup; External Cup 44mm ID, 40mm (or 1.5″) lower race diameter for lower cup. Easy … !?

Lower cup – 44mm ID, external cup, for 50mm OD headtube and taper steerer. That should find the right product. Like this one – http://www.evanscycles.com/products/m-part/elite-x44-headset-ec039857
credit to Madison/Mpart for making one and naming it as XX44. I think Nukeproof do one, they were onto the XX44 idea pretty quickly too.

At that price I’d go with Mpart one that Jameso links to – I think you’ll be hard pressed to find many alternatives as there’s also the insert depth to consider. Admittedly it’s for Ti, but this – http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/28/09/10/xx-44-in-titanium would suggest there’s only 12-15mm insert depth in the head tube.

Don’t forget you’ll need one of these – http://www.merlincycles.com/hope-hs136-15-1-1-8-reducer-57832.html to step up your 1 1/8″ steerer to fit the 1.5″ bottom cup crown race.