Race Face Deus bars and stems are class-leading items but the matching headset is okay rather than outstanding.
The 7075 aluminium cups keep weight reasonable and laser etched logos give collar and cuff co-ordination.
Stainless steel angular contact bearings are good quality and certainly smooth to start with, and the nickel-plated races should slow down the speed at which the housings corrode.
A fixed O-ring in the top race keeps drips from running down the steerer, and stops the fork dropping out to smash your toes when you whip off the stem with the bike in a workstand.
Once it’s past the close fitting mechanical parts, however, filth soon gets straight to the vulnerable face of the bearings. This makes regular stripping and cleaning essential to keep them smooth and grind-free.
A five-year bearing guarantee makes the price more acceptable, but we’d rather the whole unit was better sealed and more reliable in the irst place.
