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View Full Version : [Review] Solid Bikes Headset


Eggit
12-02-2004, 12:25 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/eggit/solid_headset.jpg

Well due to a stupid law suit by a monopolistic company these headsets are no longer made. However you can order them from www.empirebmx.com or on ebay. After the above companies patent wears out I am sure Solid will start selling them again too. On to the review!

This headset can be described by 3 words, smooth, fast, strong. It is smoother than any headset I have ever felt, including chris kings. It also has absolutely no play in it whatsoever. The thing spins like no other and makes barspins and tailwhips a breeze. Infact I was throwing my barspins to hard when I first got it and had to get used to how fast it spun. The cups are juts plain beefy too. One of the thing that makes this headset so great is the needle bearings wich are nearly indestructible and don't pit and warp like ball bearings. Definately the best headset out in my opinion.

One thing that is somewhat unique about this headset that could cause you problems if you don't install it right is the fact that the split washer has a bolt in it. A few key things about the split washer to remeber:

1) Tighting the bolt actualy loosens the washer and loosening the bolt tightens it. VERY IMPORTANT keep this in mind.

2) When adjusting headset tension tighten the bolt just enough that it slides easily on the fork but not so loose that it has slop. Now tighten your stem bolt just like you normaly would. Once you achive the proper tension loosen the bolt so that the washer clamps all the way onto the fork and tighten your stems pinch bolts like normal.[/img]

nutsgeezer
12-02-2004, 12:39 AM
I take it thats a 10/10? Ive heard good things about that headset before.

WeThePeople
12-05-2004, 07:03 PM
i ride this headset man, its so rad 10/10 for sure

Eggit
12-10-2004, 06:09 AM
Actualy, I think in this case it goes to 11. So 11/11

drk_fly
12-10-2004, 09:06 PM
Actualy, I think in this case it goes to 11. So 11/11

isnt 11/11 equal to 10/10? shouldnt it be 11/10?

Trimix
12-10-2004, 09:36 PM
I rode that exact headset for a while, nice design, no worries with it, and your right about #1, tightening that little screw OPENS the washer. GOOD POINT.

I stepped up to a Chris King sealed last month.....

mshbiker31390
12-11-2004, 03:46 AM
how much does it cost, is it reasonable.
and why did they stop making it

Eggit
12-14-2004, 10:00 PM
It's around 40, wich is well worth it. They stopped making it because another company (cane creek I beleive) threatened to sure them for patent infringment.

As far as I understand, cane creek has the paten on the split compression washer on the top of all threadless headsets. Aheadset, FSA and other brands make thier headsets under the permission of cane creek. Solid though that by putting a bolt in the washer to clamp it instead of relying on the verticle pressure they could get around the patent. However it turns out that cane creeks paten was on the actual split itself and not the function of the split.

PS Watch spinal tap.

paddyboy
12-23-2004, 02:03 AM
they sell these on dans comp so u can go buy one now

old_school_goose
12-23-2004, 02:11 AM
PS Watch spinal tap.

ha ha good advice

trickdaddy69
08-04-2005, 06:16 AM
ive had mine for over 6 months now and its INSANELY BITCHIN. BEST HEADSET EVER.

Ebah4290
08-04-2005, 11:30 AM
I rode that exact headset for a while, nice design, no worries with it, and your right about #1, tightening that little screw OPENS the washer. GOOD POINT.

I stepped up to a Chris King sealed last month.....

I don't know if you stepped up to a king. I think you may have just moved over to one.

I love my solid. I don't want to get an intagranted just cause I love my solid that much.

Ebah4290
08-04-2005, 11:34 AM
Infact I was throwing my barspins to hard when I first got it and had to get used to how fast it spun.

Same thing here as well. I went from one barspin to double barspins just from putting the headset on. 8O

high life
08-10-2005, 12:48 PM
This headset is sick, I think the only way it could improve is if it had sealed bearings!

Edit: I love this headset because it spins beautifully, looks sick, works flawlessly and is pretty light.

Ebah4290
08-13-2005, 08:00 AM
no sealed bearings. I always blow up sealed bearings in headsets. Its not a question of if, its a question of when.