[Review] FSA Pig headset (Unsealed)

[Charles]

Ive been riding a unsealed fsa pig headset for a little over 2 months now. It works great for barspins because the bars spin really fast. Maby not as smooth as a sealed one but definetly faster.
I got them due to crushed bearings and a cracked cup on my stock headset.
When I first got it installation was a snap, I didnt even need a cup press or help from the shop to get this thing on my bike and riding it. At first it came loose a couple times and I had to tighten it and it also didnt spin very easy but this only lasted for a day or so until it was worn in. Its been 2 month now and this headset is as good as the day I got it and is spinning better then ever. Oh and it hasnt come loose in 2 month either so maintenance is at a minium. And the large oversized bearing and bearing cups on the lower are super strong. And for $20? I got mine for $30 but I dont care because it was completely worth the money.
It gives off a real nice look and I love it compared to the cane creek headset I once owned.
Being completely honest. When it comes time to replace this headset and even if I do have money to buy something more spendy ill choose the unsealed fsa big headset. I give this headset a 10/10.
Fsa gave me instructions with the headset and even a little sticker.. wow.

[Eggit]

Great headset, my only problem is that I always shattered the lwoer bearing cage. However I just ran the balls without the cage and it worked fine, just annyoing to assemble.

PS don't get the pig sealed, IMO all sealed headsets suck as they spin rather slow, but the pig is the absolute worst, it spins so terribly.

[Charles]

Great headset, my only problem is that I always shattered the lwoer bearing cage. However I just ran the balls without the cage and it worked fine, just annyoing to assemble.

PS don't get the pig sealed, IMO all sealed headsets suck as they spin rather slow, but the pig is the absolute worst, it spins so terribly.

Yeah, sealed sucks. My unsealed spins pretty fast after it has been rode for awhile and greased up.

[beermx4life33]

I have had my unsealed pig headset for about two years now with no problems at all. Good headset cheap and strong.

[b8m1x9]

Great headset, my only problem is that I always shattered the lwoer bearing cage. However I just ran the balls without the cage and it worked fine, just annyoing to assemble.

PS don't get the pig sealed, IMO all sealed headsets suck as they spin rather slow, but the pig is the absolute worst, it spins so terribly.its better to run then w/o the cage, that way you can put more bearings and makes it stronger.

[bicyclerocker]

i have one on my mtb and it rocks.

[kriscan]

if i need to replace mine in the future im getting this one

[guui3dong]

Me too.

[andbmxerhellraiser]

my pig kept coming lose when i first installed it but i think that was cause it was new, it runs fine and smoth now with no problemos!! (touch wood!)

[Ebah4290]

Great headset, my only problem is that I always shattered the lwoer bearing cage. However I just ran the balls without the cage and it worked fine, just annyoing to assemble.

PS don't get the pig sealed, IMO all sealed headsets suck as they spin rather slow, but the pig is the absolute worst, it spins so terribly.its better to run then w/o the cage, that way you can put more bearings and makes it stronger.

WRONG!!! Don't mess with the number of bearings unless your missing one already. The headset is mechanically designed to use a certain number of bearings and you run the risk of locking your headset and pitting the cups. Just so you know, dont mess with something thats not broken.

[rait1]

hmm i dunno , better more bearings than less.
i messed up my crank bearings (unsealed) and took it to the bike shop.
They took the balls out of the cage(from new bearings) and filled the cups with the loose balls.(they opened 3 bearings i guess) and it is actually much smoother :)

[Ebah4290]

hmm i dunno , better more bearings than less.
i messed up my crank bearings (unsealed) and took it to the bike shop.
They took the balls out of the cage(from new bearings) and filled the cups with the loose balls.(they opened 3 bearings i guess) and it is actually much smoother :)

Are people going crazy? :? More isn't always better. If you have more bills to pay, thats no good. If you have more fat than you need, its not healthy, if you have more cavities in your teeth, its probably painful.etc...

[b8m1x9]

hmm i dunno , better more bearings than less.
i messed up my crank bearings (unsealed) and took it to the bike shop.
They took the balls out of the cage(from new bearings) and filled the cups with the loose balls.(they opened 3 bearings i guess) and it is actually much smoother :)

Are people going crazy? :? More isn't always better. If you have more bills to pay, thats no good. If you have more fat than you need, its not healthy, if you have more cavities in your teeth, its probably painful.etc...those comparisons DONT MAKE ANY SENCE besides being vaguely connected. the bearing cage just makes it easier to assemble and easier for the consumer and works fine. more balls more weight distribution per ball, its not like they could bind. i have and many others have ran this set up for seasons on DH rigs. don’t freak out dude, esp without backing yourself up. bearings are not that ****'ing complicated, but… why not just use the cage... remember shimano the kings of unsealed bearing dont use cages, like in hubs and such. i could be wrong but im pretty sure they are for convenience sake. please show me otherwise!

after doing some research it looks like the cages are only needed in high RPM applications and no cage is suitible for slow speed high axial loads (found in headsets) (http://www.bocabearings.com/main1.aspx?p=docs&id=25) and FYI its called FULL COMPLEMENT :wink:

[Ebah4290]

Limitations
"Whilst offering increased capacities full compliment bearings of either design carry some limitations;

With the retainer removed from the bearing the balls are no longer spaced apart and can make contact with each other. With the inner ring acting as a sun gear each ball is driven in the same clockwise direction. At the points of contact the balls are travelling in opposing directions leading to friction and wear. Due to the introduction of ball to ball friction the bearing torque is also increased. The use of ceramic balls can provide lower wear levels and reduced bearing friction/torque.

It is not recommended practice to use full complement bearings in solidly preloaded systems."< a headset

[b8m1x9]

Limitations
"Whilst offering increased capacities full compliment bearings of either design carry some limitations;

With the retainer removed from the bearing the balls are no longer spaced apart and can make contact with each other. With the inner ring acting as a sun gear each ball is driven in the same clockwise direction. At the points of contact the balls are travelling in opposing directions leading to friction and wear. Due to the introduction of ball to ball friction the bearing torque is also increased. The use of ceramic balls can provide lower wear levels and reduced bearing friction/torque.

It is not recommended practice to use full complement bearings in solidly preloaded systems."< a headset WHOW good to know, but granted head set dont really spin, they have like a 180' (pi rads) working space, so the rolling of the bearing against each other is pretty nill (but existant). well then. how about we leave it at, if you have the cage use it, if you dont, you can get away without it? :P

[stolen_rider]

I just ordered one of these in silver after wrecking the cane creek bottom cup :roll: Hopefully it turns out as well as you guys say :wink:

[erenes]

got them (2 pairs) for more than 2 years.
Both cups are steel (good) , SB version got upper aliuminium cup (weak)

I also got the problem with dammaging lower bearing cage.
That problem came usually if you put the new headset in the bike withouth adding some grease on before assambling.
If it brake, just run loose balls, ad some more. You can add balls till the moment that there's one ball to much, then not use this one. IT WORKS WELL. PROVEN. IT WONT WEAR ANYTHING. ANYBODY WITH SOME BASIC MECHANICS oR ENGEENERING SKILL CAN CONFIRM IT.

upper ball cage is standard one - you can buy a cheap one or take it from any cheap 1&1/8" headsets.

Just keep it tight, dont use it loose and it's very very NICE !

they are cheap !

[yamahayz]

I give this headset a 10/10.
Fsa gave me instructions with the headset and even a little sticker.. wow.


:D

[kisi]

I got the same headset for my mtbbike and wow this headset rocks

[my name is joe]

that was such a big bump lol.. it was back when eggit was still around

[Charles]

that was such a big bump lol.. it was back when eggit was still around

Eggit made a post not to long ago.. Actually. Today.
http://www.bmx-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=44213&start=0

[dirkadirka]

should there be any play in the headset after being tightend and everything properly installed?

whenever i do endos off of walls or curbs i can hear a little pop or tink and its the headset because i checked my front hub?

i think its the compression is a litte loose but is this ok?

[rait1]

no, it shouldńt play at all.If there is any play, your headset wont last very long

[my name is joe]

deleted

[MCHardmanUK]

The FSA Pig Headset was the first upgrade I made to my very first bike over 6 years ago and it was the best £15 I spent at the time.

I ran mine without the bearing race, just put the bearings in andpacked them with grease and it worked better than with the bearing race.

It was a great headset then and if your on a budget then its one of the best out there and it will last you a liftime.

[Flatline]

The only problem or concern you may have when doing the Cageless, extra bearing mod is to make sure when you get your ball bearings from the bike shop or hardware store, bearing warehouse, that you get the EXACT same ball bearing. Size, material, color, weight, because if it's not the same it will warp your cups and offset the path they travel on, another good thing to do is buy one of those lizard skin dust covers for you headset to keep dust, water, or other foreign objectiles out of your cageless lower cup.

[sixpacker]

Great headset, my only problem is that I always shattered the lwoer bearing cage. However I just ran the balls without the cage and it worked fine, just annyoing to assemble.

PS don't get the pig sealed, IMO all sealed headsets suck as they spin rather slow, but the pig is the absolute worst, it spins so terribly.

yup that is what happen to me. i am still running it though i am missing 1 bearing

[XxminorityxX]

mines chrome!! and it spins rather good and it only has a little park tool grease

[AsteriskBikeCo]

well i got a sealed one, and if they still have them for sale then, im getting a SOLID headset for my seshin.