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Pro Scooter Headset Purchase Guide
This guide is all about pro scooter headsets. Selecting a new headset for your pro scooter is straightforward. Bear in mind that the headset bearings are crucial for ensuring your fork and bars rotate smoothly when performing bar spins or manoeuvring your deck in the air.
Understanding the basic purpose of a scooter headset and its installation process is advantageous when searching for the ideal scooter headset. Ready for a scooter upgrade? Get set to discover the key considerations for selecting the optimal headset for your configuration.
Overview
The Purpose of a Pro Scooter Headset
The role of the headset is to permit the fork to rotate seamlessly within the head tube of the deck. A pro scooter headset usually includes these components:
- Crown Race: Most scooter headsets include a crown race, although it's often obsolete due to most forks having an integrated crown race. The crown race serves as the resting point for the headset bearing on the scooter fork.
- Headset Bearings: Bearings are the essential parts of the headset and are provided in pairs – one for the upper and one for the lower section. Sealed bearings are typical for pro scooter headsets, ensuring durability and smooth functioning. We advise choosing sealed bearings over open ones, as the former are more long-lasting.
- C-Ring: C-rings are crucial for stabilising the fork within the headset by occupying the space around the fork tube. Compression secures the C-ring, making it a vital part of the setup. If you use IHC compression, a mini C-ring is necessary.
- Dust Cover / Headset Cap: The main function of the dust cover is to shield the bearings from dirt and debris, maintaining their smooth rotation.
Understanding Integrated Headsets: Integrated vs Non-Integrated Options
Many scooter headsets are labelled as integrated, though due to most scooter decks now incorporating integrated bearing cups, the term "integrated headset" is no longer particularly significant in scootering. Decks referred to as integrated imply that their headtube has bearing cups incorporated into its structure.
Non-integrated headsets involve two headset cages or bearing cups being inserted into the headtube of the deck before the bearings are installed. Some entry-level trick scooters feature non-integrated headsets, whereas more advanced complete pro scooters typically include integrated headsets.
Steps to Install a Scooter Headset
Fitting a headset on a pro scooter is relatively uncomplicated. The video below offers detailed instructions for installing an integrated headset.
To start, apply grease to the bearing cups, place the headset bearings in both the top and bottom, then thread the fork through the headset. Subsequently, you can add the C-ring and the dust cap.
Ensure the bearings are correctly positioned – they have a "tapered" design fitting perfectly in the deck's bearing cup.
Grease is essential – it facilitates easier headset replacement and guards against wear on the bearing cup.
Pro Scooter Headset Compatibility
There are not many complexities when identifying the best compatible headset for your customised pro scooter. High-end aftermarket headsets and scooter decks are generally integrated and match standard sizes.
IHC presents the sole exception. Owing to the narrower fork tubes of IHC forks, a mini C-ring is required. It's likely you already have a mini C-ring provided with your fork, compression kit, or pre-installed in a complete scooter setup. If absent, you can obtain one right here:
Maintain Your Scooter Headset for Longevity
Several practices can preserve your headset’s functionality and ensure optimal performance over time. The effective operation of a well-installed headset relies on smoothly rotating ball bearings. If you detect friction or suspect dirt in the headset, it’s wise to address the problem promptly before it worsens.
Disassemble the Headset:
- Detach the bar and compression.
- Carefully remove the fork, taking care not to bend the headset bearings.
Examine the Bearings:
- If you observe any visible damage to the bearings, obtaining a new headset is advisable.
- If the bearings appear dirty and greasy, proceed to clean them.
Clean the Headset Bearings:
- Submerge them in a cleaning agent, and stir after allowing the agent to act for a few minutes.
- Permit the bearings to dry completely.
Lubricate the Bearings:
- After drying, apply a modest amount of bearing lubricant.
- Turn the bearings to evenly distribute the grease.
- Clean the bearing cups of your deck with a fresh cloth, and apply new grease.
And voilà – it’s time to reinstall the headset!
For a thorough guide on cleaning bearings, we suggest our comprehensive resource:
Additional Resources
If you encounter uncertainty about concepts like SCS, IHC, or HIC, we recommend exploring our guide on scooter compression:
The following resources also provide vital insights into scooter compression:
