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In this guide, we explore stunt scooter headsets. There's little room for error when selecting a new headset for your stunt scooter. Remember, the bearings in the headset are crucial for allowing your fork and bars to rotate smoothly when you perform bar spins or manoeuvre your deck mid-air.
Gaining a fundamental understanding of what a scooter headset does and how it is installed is beneficial when searching for the ideal scooter headset. Looking to upgrade your scooter? Prepare to discover the key factors for selecting the appropriate headset for your setup.
Overview
Understanding a Stunt Scooter Headset
The role of the headset is to enable the fork to rotate effortlessly within the head tube of the deck. A typical stunt scooter headset includes these components:
1: Crown Race
Scooter headsets often come with a crown race; however, the majority of forks now have a built-in crown race, making the separate crown race redundant. The crown race is where the headset's bearing sits on the scooter fork.
2: Headset Bearings
The bearings are the most vital parts of the headset, consisting of two – one for the top and one for the bottom. These bearings are usually sealed for durability and to ensure smooth functionality. If you encounter a headset with open bearings, we advise choosing a different one with sealed bearings, as they are more durable.
3: C-Ring
C-rings stabilise the fork within the headset by filling the space around the fork tube. Compression applies pressure on the C-ring, making it a critical element. If you are using IHC compression, it is important to note the necessity for a mini C-ring.
4: Top Cap / Dust Cover
The dust cover primarily protects the bearings from any dirt and debris to ensure they continue spinning smoothly.
Exploring the Integrated Headset: Integrated vs Non-Integrated Headsets
Many scooter headsets are termed integrated, although with most scooter decks now featuring integrated bearing cups, the term "integrated headset" holds little significance in scootering. Occasionally, decks are labelled as integrated decks, signalling that their headtube includes bearing cups within its structure.
Non-integrated headsets feature two bearing cups that are driven into the headtube of the deck before the bearings are installed. Entry-level trick scooters might still have non-integrated headsets, in contrast to higher-performance complete stunt scooters that usually include integrated headsets.
Installing a Scooter Headset
Fitting a headset to a stunt scooter is quite a simple task. Below, you will find a video with step-by-step instructions on how to install an integrated headset.
You must lubricate the bearing cups, insert the headset bearings into the top and bottom, then guide the fork through the headset. Afterward, the C-ring and dust cap can be installed.
Ensure to position the bearings correctly – they have a "tapered" design that fits snugly in the bearing cup of the deck.
Don't forget to apply grease – it eases the replacement of the headset and helps protect against wear on the bearing cup.
Determining Stunt Scooter Headset Compatibility
There are not many complexities to confuse you when selecting the best compatible headset for your custom stunt scooter. Premium aftermarket headsets and scooter decks are all integrated and consistently sized.
The only exception is IHC. IHC forks feature narrower fork tubes, necessitating a mini C-ring. It's likely that a mini C-ring was included with your fork, compression kit, or pre-installed in a complete scooter set-up. If not, you can find one here:
Maintaining Your Scooter Headset
There are several methods to maintain your headset, ensuring it operates smoothly and lasts longer. A properly installed headset relies on smooth-moving ball bearings. If friction becomes noticeable or you suspect dirt within the headset, addressing the issue promptly is advisable as it will deteriorate over time.
Disassemble the headset:
- Remove the bar and compression.
- Carefully dislodge the fork, taking care to avoid damaging the headset bearings.
Examine the bearings:
- It's advisable to replace the headset if the bearings show visible damage.
- Dirty and greasy bearings can be cleaned.
Cleaning the headset bearings:
- Submerge them in a cleaning solution and stir after allowing the solution to act for a few minutes.
- Let the bearings dry completely.
Lubricating the bearings:
- Once dry, apply a small amount of bearing lubricant.
- Spin the bearings to evenly distribute the lubricant.
- Wipe the bearing cups of the deck with a clean cloth, and apply fresh grease.
And voilà – the headset is ready for reinstallation!
For a detailed guide to cleaning bearings, we suggest our comprehensive guide:
Additional Reading
If terms like SCS, IHC or HIC cause you any uncertainty, we suggest reading our scooter compression guide:
These guides further elaborate on scooter compression:
