The Enduro Bearings MAXhit Zero-stack External Cup headset kit might be the best headset you can buy for a mountain bike. If you’re in the market for a good-looking, smooth spinning, and durable headset, read on.
A patent-pending innovation, the MAXhit design is unique – like the MAXhit bottom brackets, Enduro Bearings integrated the bearing into the headset cups itself. Another way of looking at it, is you’re actually pressing the bearing directly into the head tube, as opposed to a bearing that is pressed (or placed) into a cup, which is then pressed into the head tube.
Features
- Machined from 440C stainless steel
- Proprietary double-lip labyrinth seals, and extra high-pressure grease
- Includes fork crown race and upper split-ring and upper bearing cap
- Lifetime guaranty
- Tested: zero stack/external cup for 44mm headtubes
I’ve been running the Enduro Bearing MAXhit bottom bracket we got in for a review on my Specialized Stumpjumper EVO, and it’s just a beautiful component. When I invested in a titanium hardtail, I knew precisely the headset I wanted to put on it.
The folks at Enduro Bearings were stoked on my ti project bike pitch and were nice enough to send me a sample for the build.
The silver stainless steel color looks fantastic on a ti frame, and I stole the bottom bracket review sample off the Stumpjumper to make it a matching set.
Titanium frames are lightweight, strong, and long-lasting and the Enduro Bearings components are an excellent match for a frame that could have a usable life long enough to be passed down.
The zero stack design on the polished it looks slick — the headset and bottom bracket almost look like they are integrated with the frame.
On the trail
On the trail, the headset disappears, like any high-performing component. The action of the bars is beyond smooth, and I’ve never had to re-adjust the headset since I initially installed it.
I don’t ever spray moving parts directly when cleaning dirty bikes after a ride, but the Enduro Bearing headset could probably take it and shrug it off thanks to double-lip seals and high pressure grease.
Plus, all the products in the Enduro Bearings lineup feature a lifetime warranty against wear and corrosion.
If you’re looking for a durable, long-lasting headset, its worth taking a closer look. The MAXHit headset sells for $139.00.
Learn more at Endurobearings.com