Tange Terious SRN headset

[tentman]

In the past others have said how these are unsatisfactory, now mine in my Spa Audax has followed suit after 2 years gentle riding. On dismantling, the bearing were filled with a mix of dirt, grease and rust. However I am confused by present day bike technology so could someone recommend a satisfactory replacement headset please?

[geocycle]

I replaced mine with a Hope traditional or conventional styled a headset from Spa. The only difficulty I had was removing the lower crown race of the Tange that sat on the forks. Try and be careful not to chip the lacquer on the forks.

The types of headset are here, you need type 3.

https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-he ... -standards

[pwa]

Yes, if you don't mind paying for a top notch headset, the Hope one is very well made and has multiple seals. I put one on my Spa Ti Audax some years ago and it has been faultless.

https://spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s115p4080/H ... al-Headset

[reohn2]

Yes, if you don't mind paying for a top notch headset, the Hope one is very well made and has multiple seals. I put one on my Spa Ti Audax some years ago and it has been faultless.

https://spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s115p4080/H ... al-Headset

I can vouch for Hope headsets I've one on my Vaya for the past 8 years/probable 20k miles ,not a bit of trouble still as smooth as the day I built the bike.

[fastpedaller]

In the past others have said how these are unsatisfactory, now mine in my Spa Audax has followed suit after 2 years gentle riding. On dismantling, the bearing were filled with a mix of dirt, grease and rust. However I am confused by present day bike technology so could someone recommend a satisfactory replacement headset please?

I replaced mine with a very cheap (c£3) from CRC 6 years ago - It's another Tange one, but with caged balls (although I replaced them with individuals). Perfectly good, although I add that I don't ride in the rain (unless I'm caught ) and I have full mudguards. IME the thing that finishes off headsets more than anything else it's lack of mudguards!
ETA I wish I'd bought a couple more of those bargain end-of-line headsets

[PH]

I have two bikes with FSA Orbit XL II headsets, for years they've come as standard on Thorn bikes and mine was so trouble free when I needed a headset for another bike I went for the same. Presently on offer for £20 at SJS
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/headsets/bl ... -aheadset/

If you're not going to do the swap yourself, might be worth buying from whoever is doing it for you. If you haven't got access to a headset press, it probably isn't worth buying for occasional use. There are ways to fit without, but I've never tried them.

[pwa]

I have two bikes with FSA Orbit XL II headsets, for years they've come as standard on Thorn bikes and mine was so trouble free when I needed a headset for another bike I went for the same. Presently on offer for £20 at SJS
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/headsets/bl ... -aheadset/

If you're not going to do the swap yourself, might be worth buying from whoever is doing it for you. If you haven't got access to a headset press, it probably isn't worth buying for occasional use. There are ways to fit without, but I've never tried them.

While I recommended the Hope, I agree that the FSA Orbit is a good, cheaper alternative.

They are I've had them on other bikes I've owned and like PH found them reliable.

[geocycle]

I have two bikes with FSA Orbit XL II headsets, for years they've come as standard on Thorn bikes and mine was so trouble free when I needed a headset for another bike I went for the same. Presently on offer for £20 at SJS
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/headsets/bl ... -aheadset/

If you're not going to do the swap yourself, might be worth buying from whoever is doing it for you. If you haven't got access to a headset press, it probably isn't worth buying for occasional use. There are ways to fit without, but I've never tried them.

While I recommended the Hope, I agree that the FSA Orbit is a good, cheaper alternative.

They are I've had them on other bikes I've owned and like PH found them reliable.

Yes I agree about FSA. I splashed out on the Hope (which seem to be more expensive than I recall) mainly because I liked the idea of a Barnoldswick component on the front and a Nelson (carradice of course) on the back! From most practical points of view I’d be very happy with FSA as I have on my Thorn bikes.

[pwa]

Yes I agree about FSA. I splashed out on the Hope (which seem to be more expensive than I recall) mainly because I liked the idea of a Barnoldswick component on the front and a Nelson (carradice of course) on the back! From most practical points of view I’d be very happy with FSA as I have on my Thorn bikes.

I am happy to use FSA, and have one on my Thorn Tourer, but the Hope one on my Audax is better, apart from the price. It has stainless bearings and much better sealing, so that water is less likely to get in and if it does get in it is less likely to do harm. I have seen both these options and in the hand, the Hope headset looks much more engineered to last.

[tentman]

Thank you all for your replies. I now know what type of headset I need and the FSA looks entirely adequate for the use this bike gets. AS suggested I will get the job done by my bikeshop as I would not trust myself with a hammer to remove the old cups!

[pwa]

Thank you all for your replies. I now know what type of headset I need and the FSA looks entirely adequate for the use this bike gets. AS suggested I will get the job done by my bikeshop as I would not trust myself with a hammer to remove the old cups!

You will get the best out of an FSA headset if you keep the lower section packed with grease. The upper section too, but the lower is the most likely to need it. Using the mudguard helps a lot too.