Headsets

[Uknowit555]

This may be a stupid question but I have read that headsets are not all that necessary for a build. Are they required or should I leave it out of the parts list completely?

[Joe_W]

What?
The headset is as essential as... dunno... the fork. That is, assuming you want to steer the bike somehow. Some frames have the headsets installed when you buy them, good thing to have that done if you don't have the tools for that.

[Uknowit555]

(01-14-2013, 08:54 AM)Joe_W Wrote:  What?
The headset is as essential as... dunno... the fork. That is, assuming you want to steer the bike somehow. Some frames have the headsets installed when you buy them, good thing to have that done if you don't have the tools for that.

I thought that you could simply thread the fork through and connect the stem directly to that?

[Joe_W]

The headset is one of the many bearings in a bike. The bearing allows the fork + steerer + handlebar to turn in the head tube of the frame.
See
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Headset_How-To_-_Part_1_3127.html
and part two of that series

[DaveM]

I think it may be that you've heard that rebuilding the headset is not that important when overhauling the bike. Of the bearing sets, it takes the least wear and tear and needs less maintenance. But you've got to have one!