MTB Headset Tech | Everything You Should Know About Mountain Bike Headsets

The headset is one of the most important parts of a bike! But understanding which standard you need can be confusing... And why do they keep changing? In this video, we take a look at everything you need to know about headset standards: past, present and what's coming up in the future! - ⏰ Time Stamps 👇

🔘 00:33 - Modern Headsets
🔘 01:12 - Traditional Headsets
🔘 05:34 - The A Headset
🔘 07:39 - A Headset Development
🔘 09:15 - Headset Standards Explained
🔘 10:52 - Steerer Tube Development
🔘 13:16 - Where Are We Today?
🔘 17:25 - What's The Future Of Headset Standards?

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Headset Tech Guide:

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[drmoynihan]

Over the years I have had to deal with just getting my simple bikes greased up and rolling. I had no idea of the complexities that the pros were dealing with. I am glad that they have it all figured out and I can enjoy my "simple" tapered headset that still intimidates me.
Thank you Doddy - glad there are guys like you to help guys like me.

[CommaCam]

These part-specific videos are really excellent Doddy. I appreciate the historical discussions and the comprehensive effort you're putting into these.

[lostboy]

Wow what a great tutorial on headsets thanks Doddy you're a star, that was very comprehensive mate, first class.

[randyjohnson]

With the help of your guides and this great history lesson I discovered (very luckily) that my 1993 Trek 8300 headset is indeed a Dia-Compe Aheadset and I'm in the process of upgrading the solid Cro-Moly fork to a Rockshox Recon suspended fork. It's pretty neat to think I've got a nearly 30 year old bike with tech on it that was the predecessor to most modern headsets and frankly lucky because I had already bought the fork without understanding well enough how the pieces fit together. And the pieces fit together!

[Pillokun]

Nomnomnom, we need more, maybe brakes? dont forget the rimbrake with ceramic coated rims if you do... :)

[ddahstan]

I love this guy. He's always thorough, genuiene and passionate! I feel so privileged learning from him...

[mikes]

820 likes, 0 dislikes. That's the first time I've seen a video with significant responses and no dislikes.
You must be loved Doddy 😍

[chriskelley]

I want to be like Doddy when I grow up! Outstanding Video, I remember the quill stems. Thanks so much for this incredible lesson on headsets.

[billywilliams]

Never heard of or had a threaded headset rattle loose as you said here, 40 years of Bmx, Road and Mtb riding. Also 2 brothers and a sister heavily involved in cycling and never a problem if tightened correctly!!

[molluscturtle]

Doddy could make a great lecturer - really explains things well.

[JoolsTurrall]

Great explanation, right amount of detail and covered a lot of years and changes of the headset. I am still riding my 97 Kona hei hei and knew it was an Aheadset but wasn't aware of more recent changes, just took my forks off for a service, after a long time sat in the garage unridden, and realised I need a new headset, the minefield of new headset types had me a wee bit confused. So this video has put me straight. Thanks

[moritzdo]

Sick, just went through the jungle of finding a new headset for my 2007 Cannondale Rush 3.
Would helped a ton of this video would be out sooner.
But I'm glad that all I found out was right.

[newttella]

The guy I used to ride with had the cone wrenches screwed under his bottle cage. He was a life saver for many people on the trails. Even after he got a bike with threadless, he still mounted the wrenches under the cages for years for some reason.

[Rustyfox]

Brilliant Doddy!!! How those bearings have changed, the old ball bearings rolling around the garage floor, 🤣🤣

[danielv]

Doddy, massive thanks! Just what I needed :). Building a "frankenbike" for the neighbor's kid :)

[Erafune]

Perfect. Headset top and bottom has always been one of the most boring parts of the bike to get into.
But now shopping for a new fork and figuring out if I can fit the same crown race and headsets to both my bikes (and how to remove the old one) to allow both forks on both bikes is soooo confusing.

[launisteemu]

Bravo! What an info about headsets. I am still standing and clapping my hands.

[bobissik]

Wow! So much has become clear with this awesome video! Thank you!

[LooneyTune]

Interesting to watch. How about the history of bottom brackets?

[stillwill]

You really delivered on this video. That was so much info so fast that was easy to digest and more interesting than headsets should be. I'm subscribed . Hope you made a bunch of these covering other components.