What is an integrated headset?

Answer 1

An integrated headset (not to be confused with an internal headset, see below) is one in which the top and bottom cartridge bearings are pressed directly into the head tube of the frame. Integrated headsets have the advantage of a lower stack height, since the bearings are contained inside the frame, as opposed to a standard headset, which has cups pressed into the frame, with the bearings resting in those cups, above and below the head tube. A significant disadvantage of the integrated design lies in the damage that can occur to the frame if the headset adjustment becomes loose; the fork and bearings clunking back and forth can quickly destroy the frame. An improperly adjusted standard design headset will destroy the cups first, a much cheaper replacement. An internal headset is a hyrid of the two designs (just to confuse things, internal headsets are also called 'semi-integrated'). Cups are pressed into an oversized head tube, and the bearings rest in those cups. The bearings are not visible, the low stack height is maintained, and your margin of safety is maintained. We have been selling Giants with these headsets for several years without incident. These days integrated headsets are found mostly on high-end road bikes and mountain bikes from small boutique builders like Ibis. Chris King has an excellent page addressing these issues at chrisking.com