Chris King InSet 7 Tapered Headset: InSetﾙ is the classic, unbeatable Chris King sealed bearing headset built for contemporary bicycle headtube dimensions. As a low-stack style headset, the press-in cups and bearings are housed within the headtube allowing for an overall lower ride height.

We began testing InSetﾙ in early 2008 by working with a number of custom framebuilders. InSet was featured on over twenty custom bicycles showcased at the 2009 National Handmade Bicycle Show in Indianapolis including three award-winning designs. Further, InSetﾙ has been chosen by the Giant Mountain Bike Team as official team equipment for the 2009 season. With development and testing now complete, InSet is now available at your favorite local bike shop in three configurations.

What is InSetﾙ? Is it an internal headset?
InSetﾙ is a Chris Kingﾮ headset, plain and simply stated. User-serviceable stainless steel bearings, aluminum cups, bearing cap and stem cap. Itﾒs a member of the NoThreadSetﾙ family with the same ten-year warranty. While it may look different than a standard King NoThreadSetﾙ, it adheres to Chris' firm standing that both bearings should be fixed in place. Itﾒs a Chris Kingﾮ headset but with a different attachment style. It can best be described as a low-stack height headset. Weﾒve said for years that we would not produce a loose,drop-in bearing style headset. Still saying it.

What bikes are compatible with InSetﾙ?
Inset is compatible with any bike with dimensions that match the existing standards to which we've produced InSetﾙ. For example, for 1 1-8ﾔ you will need the inner diameter (ID) of the bicycle headtube to be 44mm (+0, -.05). There are a number of bicycles in the market now with compatible headtubes such as models from Giant, Trek, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz, Jamis and Pivot. InSetﾙ is not a proprietary system to King or any specific frame manufacturer.If the numbers match up, you've got compatibility. The proper reaming and facing of your frame's headtube is absolutely essential with InSetﾙ. Please talk to your service advisor or mechanic about InSet installation and assembly.

InSetﾙ is not a replacement for, or a solution to, loose drop-in bearing style headsets. Further, we do not advocate modifying your internal-style headtube to allow for the dimensions of this headset unless authorized by the frame manufacturer. In this very rare case, exact dimensions must be met to allow for compatibility. InSetﾙ is most likely not a solution to a backward looking problem so much as it is a compatibility option for contemporary bicycles.