Suggestions for a cheap good quality headset?

What is a good quality headset for a XC bike?

• i cant afford a king, so wats a good quality headset in the area of $60? i'll be using it on my race bike (spec epic). i need the traditional style with external cups and sealed cartridge bearings are a must. any suggestions?

• Answer:

  I think the only way you'll find a gold headset is to go with Chris King or Hope....seems like one of the new Crank Bros. headsets was gold, too (they have orange, but I think there was a gold one....very pricey though). There's a German company called NC-17 that makes most of their stuff in many colors, but I don't think anyone in the US is selling their products yet (great stuff, though). I didn't go browsing because I'm too lazy, but it seems like Cane Creek had some colors in one of their upper models....maybe the Solos? I'd recommend a Race Face Deus.....you can get them for about $45 to $60 in black or silver. My bikes usually see a lot of water, and I've been very impressed with the seals on the Race Face.....no intrusion yet. Another really good headset is the FSA Pig Pro DH....a little heavier, but bombproof and sealed.....they usually run about $40. You don't need a headset like that for xc, but they're cheap and really really good.