Looks good.
ZS-2 has better seals than the ZS.
Cheap.

The original ZS has a flawed design, so don't buy
it under any circumstances! The ZS-2 seems to be much
better but the seals on the lower bearings could be a bit
better.

Well, you can get this headset for relatively
little money on ebay. Good value. There are
better products out there but hey - it's only
a headset.

Similar Products Used:

ZS, ZS-2

customer service
cartridge bearings

bottom race

i had a problem with mine.
cane creek rules. the customer service was great, they helped me and fixed my problem. they had better service then most companies ive bought from.
thanks cne creek,
kent hoggatt

Similar Products Used:

plenty of other headsets

Looks sweet...all intergrated into the frame. Bigger serface area at point of conection to frame which means to me it can be stronger while being lighter.

Abosolutly the bearings!! Mine too, after a year, went out so to speak. Grinding noise is never a good sound on a bike.

It worked great up to a year, but thanks to Rick and Eli's post, I'm calling up Cane Creek and getting hooked up. Thank's for the info Guys!

Seems Ok after a hard year of riding

None as yet

Since Cane Creek warranted the defective cups last year, I have had absolutely no problems with loosening or creaking of the headset. Very solid. I have regreased the bearings once last fall, but they were very clean, not gritty. I hope to get at least another year of use out of it.

Similar Products Used:

Regular headsets in other bikes. The GIANT NRS requires a Zero Stack Headset

Looks nice.

Cartidge bearing self-destructed after less than 3 months of riding!!!

We deserve a better product than this.

Similar Products Used:

Raceface Headset

Being that the headset/headtube are wider than normal
there may be a benefit in frame stiffness from the design.

Feels flimsy, the crown race is just plain cheesy, the cups
aren't polished to any degree (still have cnc marks), and
the bearings don't feel precise at all. The headset, in the
form it came with my Giant NRS Air frame, doesn't work
properly. It is either too loose, or too tight but never
"just right". I called Cane Creek and they said they've
redesigned the bearings and crown race/tension ring and
shipped me a new set for free.

The headset seems to have been rushed out the door so to
speak, as the parts do not function correctly together.
However it would appear Cane Creek is aware of this and is
correcting it for free. Unfortunately for most people who
buy a bike with this headset, at least at the shop I got
my frame from, it won't be fixed off the line. The shop
mechanic I talked to before calling CC said "basically, all
the ones I've seen do that", wrong answer, MINE won't do
that. I wish Cane Creek would have informed the companies
they sold the headset with and let them know they've fixed
a known issue. I will update with the new bearings when
I get a chance to.

Similar Products Used:

Race Face Real Seal (A+), Cheapo WTB (F), Cane Creek C-2 (B)

Light?

Relatively poor craftsmanship, shipped in a defective condition, bearings self-destruct when installed, all milled parts are not polished, have mill marks and burrs. Too light and flimsy.

This is an update to my post below. I received the replacement bearings, crown race, compression ring and top cap from Cane Creek. After installation the headset actually works! It adjusts properly, is smooth and the bearings are even a little beefier than those provided originally. Bottom line: You'll get this headset if you buy a bike that can use it, and if you do call Cane Creek at 800-234-2725, and they'll send you the "correct" parts.
No product should ever be distributed with such a flaw, but
at least they fixed it. 1 chili value, it retails for $70, and 2 overall, it's not well made but it works OK.

Well it came with the bike, so that was one less component I had to buy. works, keeps out dirt

Zero stack height means you'll need spacers, can only fit bikes with specially machined headtube, not Chris King

It's a headset for Christ sakes. The seals are good, keeping out dirt. I can turn the bar...I'm not really asking for much more than that. I guess the low stack height helps keep the bearings clean. If I get a new frame, it probably won't fit. I'll deduct on chili because it lacks the King pimp factor, but so far, I haven't had to think about the headset, it quietly does its job.

Similar Products Used:

generic 1" on my beach cruiser

It works!

Will only fit certain bikes

After a year of hard riding, the bearings went bad. Called Cane Creek and right off the bat they are sending me the new improved bearing kit free. With the exception of an apperant problem with the original bearings, the headset works great, and does its job wonderfully.

It is a headset. It does the job very sweet. No problems so far.

Maybe not so good having it only fit those bikes with a machine headtube.

It does the job of a headset very well. It looks great, coz its not beefy above and below the head tube.

Similar Products Used:

None