Re: [CR]Why were there Pista headsets?

(Example: Production Builders:Cinelli:Laser)

From: "ternst" <ternst1@cox.net>
To: "Tom Sanders" <tsan7759142@sbcglobal.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <007601c7425f$3475cc10$ae53ff44@ts>
Subject: Re: [CR]Why were there Pista headsets?
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 16:18:43 -0800
reply-type=original

Probably because of loose ball bearings, and smaller size with more of them for cup contact. Obviously as was noted the track guys rode lower and on a hell of a lot smoother surfaces.
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA USA


----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Sanders
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2007 2:05 PM
Subject: [CR]Why were there Pista headsets?



> Strada headsets were obviously up to the task of track racing, as
> witnessed
> by the fact that they came as original equipment on Paramount track bikes
> and I have never heard of one failing. I believe I know why Schwinn used
> Strada headsets, they were able to standardize their steerers more using
> only one headset and the "Campagnolo" was plainly visible on the Strada
> headsets but not the Pista ones. I think Schwinn wanted all the Mojo they
> could muster.
> Were the Strada headsets less expensive to put on the Paramounts? The
> question in my mind is why two headsets at all? Was it the weight savings
> on a shorter steerer with the shorter stack height of the Pista headset
> that
> racers were after? This seems fairly minimal, but it's about all I have
> come up with. I have heard that Pista sets were "stronger", but I have to
> wonder about this...perhaps it's a myth.
> Tom Sanders
> Lansing, Mi USA