Is There a Usable Guide to Choosing a New Headset?

[The Cumbrian]

I've changed the forks, and I also want to change the headset on my Pinnacle Ramin, but I've discovered that it's not a simple as going to my LBC and just buying a headset. Both shops near me have tried to help, but there's nothing in stock.
Is there a guide available to buying a headset so that I can order online and be sure of the correct headset arriving? I'd like something good quality with cartridge bearings, but I don't want to get one that costs more than the bike.

Cheers, Michael.

[Hyppy]

Without looking for a generic alternative, I know Hope have a guide on the various uppers and lowers. If you get your callipers out, perhaps that can be used to at least know what you need size-wise if looking for more affordable alternatives? https://www.hopetech.com/products/contr ... -headsets/

[Wotsits]

Cane Creek do a couple of good guides-

https://www.canecreek.com/pages/everyth ... s=e&_v=1.0

https://www.canecreek.com/blogs/journal ... Nw7G2ZuAMn

[jameso]

Depending on the fork spec it's either an EC44/40 or a ZS/30 lower, with a ZS44/28.6 upper using the SHIS terms. The bike has a 44mm ID head tube.

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/re ... -standards

Any bike shop dealing with bikes like this should find it pretty easy tbh. If they have a Madison account (as most do) you can get an M-Part headset that fits -
Upper - https://www.freewheel.co.uk/m-part-elit ... 8-6-hpt506
Lower for a taper steerer - https://www.freewheel.co.uk/m-part-elit ... -40-hpt531
Lower for a straight steerer and 44mm ID headtube - https://www.freewheel.co.uk/m-part-elit ... -30-hpt533

They do list the SHIS numbers, but when the product copy doesn't say what steerer size it's for you have to wonder what the **** is going on in this industry

[The Cumbrian]

Thanks very much everyone, I've just got a headset ordered.