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Pro Scooter Headset Buyer’s Guide
This serves as our manual for pro scooter headsets. Selecting a new headset for your pro scooter isn’t something that’s easy to mess up. Simply bear in mind that the headset bearings allow your fork and bars to rotate smoothly while performing bar spins or manoeuvring your deck in mid-air.
Having a basic understanding of what a scooter headset does and how it is installed proves beneficial when searching for the optimal scooter headset. Is it time to enhance your scooter? Prepare to discover the key elements for selecting the appropriate headset for your setup.
Overview
Understanding a Pro Scooter Headset
The function of the headset is to allow the fork to rotate seamlessly within the head tube of the deck. Typically, a pro scooter headset includes these components:
1: Crown Race
Although scooter headsets generally include a crown race, most forks feature a built-in crown race, making the separate one unnecessary. The crown race is where the headset bearing sits on the scooter fork.
2: Headset Bearings
The bearings form the essential parts of the headset, with one set positioned at the top and the other at the bottom. These bearings are generally sealed to ensure their durability and smooth performance. Should you encounter a headset with open bearings, it’s advisable to choose another headset with sealed bearings, as they offer a longer lifespan.
3: C-Ring
C-rings are designed to stabilise the fork within the headset by occupying the space around the fork tube. Compression pushes down onto the C-ring, making it a crucial element of the setup. For riders using IHC compression, a mini C-ring is necessary.
4: Top Cap / Dust Cover
The dust cover’s primary task is to shield the bearings from dirt and debris to ensure they rotate without friction.
Defining an Integrated Headset: Integrated versus Non-Integrated Headsets
The term “integrated” is often applied to scooter headsets, but since most scooter decks now have integrated bearing cups, this term becomes less significant in scootering. When decks are referred to as integrated decks, it indicates that the headtube has bearing cups integrated into its form.
Non-integrated headsets feature two headset cages or bearing cups, which are fitted into the deck's headtube before installing the bearings. Entry-level trick scooters sometimes come with non-integrated headsets, but more high-performance complete pro scooters typically have integrated headsets.
Installing a Scooter Headset
Setting up a headset on a pro scooter involves simple steps. Watch the video below for a tutorial on installing an integrated headset.
Begin by greasing the bearing cups, putting the headset bearings at the top and bottom, and then sliding the fork through the headset. Follow this by installing the C-ring and the dust cap.
Ensure that the bearings are inserted correctly – their "tapered" shape is intended to fit snugly within the bearing cup of the deck.
Always apply grease – it facilitates easier replacement of the headset and reduces wear on the bearing cup.
Pro Scooter Headset Compatibility
When it comes to finding the most compatible headset for your custom pro scooter, there are limited variables to create confusion. High-quality aftermarket headsets and scooter decks are all integrated and generally share the same sizes.
IHC stands out as an exception. IHC forks possess narrower fork tubes, thus requiring a mini C-ring. Chances are a mini C-ring was included with your fork, compression kit, or pre-installed in a complete scooter setup. Otherwise, you can find one here:
Maintaining Your Scooter Headset
Several practices can aid in maintaining your headset to ensure peak performance and extended lifespan. Properly installed headsets rely on seamlessly rotating ball bearings. If you notice any friction or suspect dirt within the headset, it’s smart to address the issue promptly before it exacerbates.
Take Apart the Headset:
- Detach the bar and compression.
- Remove the fork carefully, ensuring you don’t bend the headset bearings.
Check the Bearings:
- If there’s visible damage to the bearings, consider replacing the headset.
- If they appear dirty and greasy, a thorough cleaning is needed.
Clean the Headset Bearings:
- Submerge them in a cleaning solution and agitate them after letting the solution work for a few minutes.
- Allow the bearings to dry completely.
Lubricating the Bearings:
- Once the bearings dry, apply a modest amount of bearing lubricant.
- Spin the bearings to ensure the grease spreads uniformly.
- Use a clean cloth to wipe the bearing cups of your deck, then apply fresh grease.
And voilà – the headset is ready for reinstallation!
For a detailed guide on cleaning bearings, we suggest checking out our guide:
Further Resources
If you have questions about terms such as SCS, IHC, or HIC, refer to our guide on scooter compression:
The subsequent guides also contain significant insights regarding scooter compression:
