Integrated vs Threaded headset

[stewie911]

Is this spesific to your frame, or can a frame take both types?

[Minion]

I think you might be confusing threaded and threadless (Aheadset) headsets.

 

Threaded headsets use a threaded upper race and a locknut on a threaded steerer to hold everything together. They're usually used with quill stems.

Threadless headsets use steerer spacers with a top bolt and star-fangled nut (steel) or expander (for carbon steerers) that fits inside the unthreaded steerer tube. These are used with most modern stems.

 

Integrated refers to how the headset bearings fit into the headtube. They are in direct contact with the tube itself.

 

This Parktool article has some good cut-away pictures:

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=68

 

I believe frames with integrated headsets can only take those, but a frame with a non-integrated headset should be able to take either threaded or threadless - you'd have to changed fork steerers, though.

[stewie911]

Sorry, meant to say threadless vs. integrated/semi-integrated

 

Don't know how the threaded got there.

[splat]

I get very confused trying to differentiate between integrated and semi integrated.

Different manufacturers call them different things like Press fit and Drop In and Campy Style and Cane Creek something or other.

 

I want to put a Hope headset into my Giant Anthem and cant get a straight answer from anyone.

[stewie911]

It is confusing. Seems to me like semi integrated is almost the same as threadless and that they just call the components different names. Integrated doesn't have any bearing cups and the bearings sits in the headtube

[AndreZA]

ALL bikes these days are threadless. The frame determines if you use a intergrated or external headset. Intergrated the bearings sits inside the head tube, external you have to install cups where the bearing rest.

[stewie911]

So how do you know which is which

[AndreZA]

So how do you know which is which

 

Very few new bikes these days have external headsets. See the cups.

 

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/colnago/dreamheadtubelg.jpg

 

Intergrated headset. See no cups.

 

http://lp1.pinkbike.com/photo/2510/med/mpbpic2510458.jpg