Stronglight A9 Classic Headset (cartridge bearings)

Beautifully finished and lightweight headset, relatively tall stack height but there's not much else out there that compares in terms of quality and appearance. would absolutely buy again for a suitable project.

I have this headset on two of my bicycles and my partner has also fitted it on one of his. The past week we have been having issue with the headsets becoming very loose. I have tightened mine twice and taken it into my LBS, my boyfriend is currently having a different one fitted on his bike as it has become so loose the bike is unrideable. If it had happened just on mine I wouldn't have been so bothered but it has happened on both bicycles after 3 months of riding. I would not recommend this headset, I'll be purchasing the Campagnolo Record one which I had on my bicycle for 4 years with no issues!

How do you rate something that appears on face value to be very good quality but doesn't fit?

A lot of reviews mention the lock washer requiring some filing to make it fit. What no-one seems to have mentioned is the fact that the crown race is also French 26.5mm. internal diameter and a Reynolds crown race steerer is 27.0 mm.

There is no way that the crown race will fit so I am now having to leave the house at 8pm to go and bother a good engineering friend to turn down the internal diameter of the race to fit snugly having bashed the **** out of the aluminium race in a stupid and vain attempt to get it to seat. Really not ideal because I dare say I cannot return it now because of this so buyer beware!

Other than that, the quality seems very good but lacking when compared to the 1980's version with needle bearings (which incidentally I have on another bike and it is still as sweet as the day it was fitted).

Apparently these later ones aren't as robust and I suppose I can see why. The actual cartridge bearing uses normal ball bearings (which appear well sealed against the elements) but the fit of the chamfer between the underside of the internal bearing race and its aluminium race allows to some eccentricity to be introduced. It could have been engineered to fit exactly I would imagine.

Like anything you get what you pay for but I think this would be remarkable value if it simply fitted without any faff. As it is, I cannot warrant spending £250+ on a Chris King headset which I dare say is de rigeur when it comes to quality and longevity.

Let's hope it lasts for a good while! I may then be a happy bunny.

I've used these a couple of times. Only issue is the spacer isn't notched to lock in with the fork, but you can quickly file it up. Good price for a quality product.

A replacement headset (after a crash) lead me to the same brand. Going with the saying if its broken fix it... With the same product. Tried and tested and great value.