Which headset I’m baffled.

S D

Active member
Mar 26, 2019
191
124
Shelley
If you wanted to change the factory jam2 headset to a better quality unit which would you chose?
(Sealed bearings??)
I had a quick look online but didn’t realise how many different shapes sizes etc were available.
Just knowing the steerer size is the limit of my headset knowledge
:unsure:
 

Samwise

Member
Apr 10, 2019
83
34
Hampshire, England
If you wanted to change the factory jam2 headset to a better quality unit which would you chose?
(Sealed bearings??)
I had a quick look online but didn’t realise how many different shapes sizes etc were available.
Just knowing the steerer size is the limit of my headset knowledge
:unsure:


You want a zs44-zs56 headset.
I'm going to upgrade mine to this one
Chain Reaction Cycles | MTB | Road | TRI | Run

Don't forget you will need a headset removal and he as fast press tool to do the job properly.
 

Peaky Rider

E*POWAH Master
Feb 9, 2019
821
520
Derbyshire Dales
You want a zs44-zs56 headset.
I'm going to upgrade mine to this one
Chain Reaction Cycles | MTB | Road | TRI | Run

Don't forget you will need a headset removal and he as fast press tool to do the job properly.

Did you ever fit this headset Samwise?
The 'Acros' headset on my 2019 Jam2 is a cheap, nasty, plastic job and after five months is totally shot.
I swapped out the top cup and bearing for a Ritchey one I had in my spares box a couple of months ago and that fitted fine but when I tried the same with the bottom cup it was a sloppy, rattly fit as the bottom of the headtube seems to be slightly over-size..
I can't even find the original headset on the 'Acros' website.
 

Peaky Rider

E*POWAH Master
Feb 9, 2019
821
520
Derbyshire Dales
Think I might have sussed it. Ritchey do two bottom cups, one of 55mm and one of 56mm external diameter. Guess I must have the 55mm one, 56mm one now on order.

Don't fancy paying £85 for a Hope headset having run Ritchey ones, which have easily changeable sealed bearings and are a third of the price, on my Scott bikes for many years.
 

S D

Active member
Mar 26, 2019
191
124
Shelley
Think I might have sussed it. Ritchey do two bottom cups, one of 55mm and one of 56mm external diameter. Guess I must have the 55mm one, 56mm one now on order.

Don't fancy paying £85 for a Hope headset having run Ritchey ones, which have easily changeable sealed bearings and are a third of the price, on my Scott bikes for many years.

Any chance of links to the ones you sussed ?
Not sorted mine yet.
PS we did chinley churn Rowarth and Hayfield this weekend, was excellent over there ?
 

Peaky Rider

E*POWAH Master
Feb 9, 2019
821
520
Derbyshire Dales
Any chance of links to the ones you sussed ?
Not sorted mine yet.
PS we did chinley churn Rowarth and Hayfield this weekend, was excellent over there ?

We did Cut Gate and the Ladybower Circuit yesterday and I have just emailed my mates saying we should do what we know as 'The Hayfield Cicuit' which sounds like what you did yesterday, next.

E-bikes are mind blowing with the big climbs of the Peak District

Ritchey Headset

I don't know for certain that this fits yet as I have only just ordered the bottom cup with an external diameter of 56 mm but don't see why it won't. Top cup fits perfectly.

Ritchey Comp Press Fit Headset | Chain Reaction Cycles

I think this comes with plain steel sealed bearings which last ok but I replace them with these when needed as they are better quality.

Ritchey WCS Headset Bearing | Chain Reaction Cycles

I think you get two 1 1/8 ones for £25

Just the one 1.5 for £17

They're not that cheap but last well and are simple to change when the crud finally kills them off.
 
Last edited:

Peaky Rider

E*POWAH Master
Feb 9, 2019
821
520
Derbyshire Dales
The spec that my Focus Jam2 2019 bike came with is:
Acros AZX-212 AH, 1-1/8", tapered, HSZS 44/286-ZS56/40 W

Which allowing for the Acros method of designation, looks the same as what Samwise specified.

Can you find one on-line to buy?
I couldn't which is why I turned to Ritchey.
Didn't fancy spending £85 on a Hope one, which, despite their reputation at the end of the day is little more than a couple of mass produced bearings and a bit of turned aluminium
 
Last edited:

steve_sordy

Wedding Crasher
Nov 5, 2018
8,361
8,586
Lincolnshire, UK
Can you find one on-line to buy?
I couldn't which is why I turned to Ritchey.
Didn't fancy spending £85 on a Hope one, which, despite their reputation at the end of the day is little more than a couple of mass produced bearings and a bit of turned aluminium

I don't need one yet, so I haven't followed up with a search. But I will need one before too long from the looks of it, which is why I took and interest in this thread.
 

Samwise

Member
Apr 10, 2019
83
34
Hampshire, England
Think I might have sussed it. Ritchey do two bottom cups, one of 55mm and one of 56mm external diameter. Guess I must have the 55mm one, 56mm one now on order.

Don't fancy paying £85 for a Hope headset having run Ritchey ones, which have easily changeable sealed bearings and are a third of the price, on my Scott bikes for many years.
The 56 should fit perfect doesn't need to be hope I just find there easiest to find the right size even if you just use them as a guide then go buy another brand.
 

Peaky Rider

E*POWAH Master
Feb 9, 2019
821
520
Derbyshire Dales
The 56 should fit perfect doesn't need to be hope I just find there easiest to find the right size even if you just use them as a guide then go buy another brand.

The Ritchey bottom cup (ZS56/40) that i ordered from CR on Sunday arrived yesterday morning. Consisted of crown race, bottom cup and sealed bearing for £17 (could have bought complete headset for £23).

Very snug fit, had to do a bit of cleaning the headtube with a file to get it started but not a problem.

Now have Ritchey cups top and bottom and a store of Ritchey WCS sealed bearings which can be swapped out in ten minutes.
 

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