Chris King Inset 8 ZS44/EC44 Headset

Developed from the ground up for a wide range of tapered and oversized headtubes, the InSet 8 headset combines maximal durability, silky-smoothness and unrivalled longevity with a phenomenal service life. Handcrafted in the USA, this is the go-to headset if you’re running zero stack, mixed zero stack or an external cup set up.Perfectly primed for peak performance whilst also sturdy enough to outlast the bike you fit it to, this is a truly remarkable feat of engineering, honed over several decades from humble beginnings.The meticulous care and attention invested into the production of each and every InSet reflects Chris King’s lasting commitment to quality and environmentally conscious manufacturing.Every single InSet is engineered, manufactured and assembled in-house at Chris King’s HQ in Portland, Oregon. Fully serviceable and with a 10-year warranty, you can be confident that you’re investing in an elite performance product that has been built to last.Chris King’s legendary bearings and heat-treated, surgical-grade steel races not only form a perfectly integrated system but actually become smoother as they burnish with use – wearing in, rather than wearing out. In contrast to many other manufacturers, Chris King have complete control over every aspect of production, meaning that they can make bearings in-house to a specification that simply wouldn’t be achieved otherwise.An innovative GripLock retention system utilised in the InSet isolates forces normally exerted on your steerer tube, protecting it from fatigue and wear. Because the preload is set independently from the steerer tube it can be matched to precise torque specifications.If you want to care for your frame, particularly carbon and non-standard material constructions, the InSet is a solid choice. The GripLock system also reduces the chance of your headset coming out of adjustment, even after repeated heavy braking and bit hit riding.Key FeaturesEngineered, manufactured and assembled in Portland, Oregon USA10-year built-to-last warrantyLegendary made-in-house bearingsPatented GripLock® retention design for exclusively dependable headset adjustmentAvailable in 9 beautifully anodized colorsResponsibly lightweightDesigned specifically for a 44mm straight headtube and a 1-1/8” to 1-1/4” tapered steerer tube