Velo Orange Threaded Headset, Caged Bearing 1" French

I installed this on my 1973 TDF and it fit perfectly. The head tube requires 30.2 mm cups - not 30 mm cups which is the size of many brands including the sealed bearing type. I tried one and the lower cup was loose. I looked and looked for a sealed bearing 1" threaded headset with 30.2 mm cups and couldn't find one. I came across this one that specifically had 30.2 mm cups. The next parameter was the stack height and I was about to measure mine to verify when I read the review stating it fit a 1974 Gitane TDF. I saw some other reviews of this fitting vintage Peugot and Motobecane of similar era, so it went into my cart and soon on my bike. I will see how well it holds up and update this review later. For now, there is no play and the fork rotation is very smooth.

I purchased this as well as the Velo Orange cartridge bearing bottom bracket for my 74 Gitane Tour de France. Anybody who has an old French bike knows finding parts is a pain, let alone modernizing it.After installing the headset and BB, my bike road beautifully (headset was installed with loose bearings and Phil Wood grease). It's a single speed conversion, so paired with these parts, it was as smooth and quiet as you could ask for. The parts performed well, requiring no attention. I build high quality custom bikes regularly, so I'm very particular about my bikes being in adjustment, but the headset never budged.I'll preface by saying, I ride my bikes without much mercy. My French bike is my favorite and I ride it like I'm being chased by a pack of starving wolves at all times. Take that and pair it with my high bicycle standards, and you'll need the perfect bike to please me.The entire time these parts were on my bike, I never had a complaint. Well, actually, headset did pop on left turns near the time I removed it. All in all, the headset and BB were a god send and very much transformed my bike into a more solid and reliable machine.My complaint is after maybe 800 miles, the lower cup of the headset has pits. Pits bad enough that the headset could not be properly adjusted without a small amount of play or it binding up over the imperfections. The BB had some very noticeable resistance to it as well as some roughness when spun by hand.Again, these parts were awesome, but I would expect them to last longer with the price they carry. I do ride hard, but not abusively. I've gotten much more life out of a headset or a BB that sells for more than half the price. And considering these are just about the only parts of their kind on the market, I would expect them to be a bit more lasting.With all that said, I would buy the headset again, but not the BB. The headset cost isnt bad, and headsets are always finicky parts, so I deal. The BB is $50 and is a cartridge bearing unit and didnt make it more than 800 miles. I dug up the original spindle, ordered a set of french BB cups made by Sunlite and used loctite on the right cup. They were $12 and roll faster than the Velo Orange unit (after polishing everything), I'll just need to pay attention to them as to get the most use.I'll bet your average rider would be just fine with this headset and it's a good buy considering your options. You may want to service it a little more often than normal though...Almost forgot, the headset does look very nice, not a mirror finish, but shiny and elegant looking. It compliments an old 10 speed well.

Got an old Peugeot or Motobecane, then this is just what you are looking for. My '70's Peugeot PX10 came with a Stronglight headset that was rough from the beginning and after years of wear, the pitting was getting bad.Had been looking to replace it for awhile and stumbled across this. Price was right.The force fit cups took a fair amount of persuasion with a rubber mallet but once installed it was as silky smooth as the Campy on my other bike. Six months later and it is still just as smooth. There are nice rubber seals that should keep my Florida sand out.One other installation note, the screw cup and lock nut are aluminum, so go easy torquing them tight.

Wow...I can't believe there's a company that makes these!! I have a vintage Motobecane Super Mirage with a badly worn headset. After searching all over the place, I found this. Leave it to Amazon to have everything under the sun.The product arrived faster than expected, and fit perfectly. I could not be happier.

Perfect fit replacement for an early 70's Peugeot PX-10 with original fork. Replaced the worn out Stronglight Competition with zero modification.

Delivered timely and fit well on bike