how long do they last and do they harden with time/UV?
Ours have just lasted and lasted … I was chatting with Yak (as above) and I replaced Jnr’s first 24 headset with hope in a fit of What the hell.. it got used and washed next to my bikes for a couple of years before it got sold and I never replaced a bearing. Every time my nasty FSA ones were corroded I’d think better check Jnr’s and never did anything but wipe and regrease as far as I know it’s still not had bearings replaced as his mates brother rides that bike now. His 2nd 24 got Hope because I needed to fit a tapered into a straight steerer… (and the Hope tapered to straight is 2mm shorter stack than the CC) 2-3 years and sold with the same bearings.
Mine came of the frame (bought used) .. still not changed the bearings but that’s only a bit over a year? My normal routine is when I do a fork service I pull them out, wipe and clean, regrease and put back.
My Nukeproof headset lasted a year (not used that often) but equally it lasts a fork service or two. It needs a new lower bearing now, sat in the shed but I cleaned and repacked the existing one so not in a hurry.
The CC40 on Jnrr’s has lasted as well but TBH it’s had more love as the forks have been swapped about for various reasons and I’m in the habit of clean and regreasing headsets whenever the fork comes off.
