Headsets are one of those parts you only think about when something's gone wrong — a notchy feeling at the bars, a creak that won't quit, or a rusted-out bearing after a wet season. The Ritchey WCS Lower Headset Assembly in IS42/30 is the OE replacement for any frame spec'd with a Ritchey IS42 lower cup, and it covers the bottom half of the headset only — bearing, crown race, and the bits that drop into the head tube.

This is the integrated (IS) standard, meaning the bearing seats directly into a machined pocket in the frame rather than into a pressed cup. The 42 refers to the bearing's outer diameter at insertion (42mm), and the 30 is the crown race inner diameter that sits on the fork. It's built for a 1-1/8" steerer, which is the standard lower steerer size on most modern road frames running a tapered fork. Before you order, confirm your frame's head tube spec — IS42 lower is common but not universal, and an IS41 or IS47 frame won't accept this assembly.

The bearing itself is a 45/45 degree angular contact cartridge — the angle refers to the contact surfaces on both the inner and outer race, which is what you want in a headset because steering loads come from multiple directions. Ritchey gives the bearing a titanium coating for corrosion resistance, which matters more than it sounds. Lower headset bearings live directly above the front tire, and they catch every bit of road spray, salt, and grit that comes off the wheel.... Read More