Read a frame builder say glue-in headsets are better than press-fit - got me thinking

I was scrolling through a forum and saw a guy claiming that bonded headsets last longer because they don't stress the carbon. But every shop I've worked at swaps press-fit in 20 minutes and glue takes overnight. Has anyone actually tried both on the same bike model and seen a real difference?

2 comments

2 Comments

felix4881mo ago

Buddy had a carbon frame crack after a bonded headset failed overnight.

willow_anderson851mo ago

Hold up though, that cracked frame story sounds more like a bad install than a problem with bonded headsets themselves. I've seen shops rush the curing time or forget to prep the surfaces right and then blame the product. Done plenty of both types and the glue takes patience but it's pretty solid if you follow the instructions to the letter. The real issue is most people don't let it cure fully before riding, like leaving it clamped in the stand for the full 24 hours.