Headsets

[il padrone]

If the headset in question is an Orbit XL II, bearings are available separately and just drop in. Replacement is easy: Just disassemble the unit leaving the cups installed, swap cartridge bearings, reassemble.
See: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/fsa-headset-bearing-sealed-for-orbit-xlii-prod20944/?geoc=us

I bought one spare set of bearings sometime ago, then another whole spare headset when I found it was actually less costly:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/fsa-orbit-xl-2-1-1-8-inch-aheadset-prod3101/?geoc=us It would be as easy to rob the bearings out of this and not bother the installed cups.

It would seem there are two fairly different models of the Orbit XL2 headset, with notably different prices

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/fsa-orbit-xlii-headset-no-5-/rp-prod1164


On checking mine I would seem to have the version linked by Dan. Fitted over 5 years ago, never serviced and not adjusted much at all. Still working fine. Headsets do tend to be a bit like that - one of the least serviced items on a bike (along with pedals). Must check it over one day 

[mickeg]

...
It would seem there are two fairly different models of the Orbit XL2 headset, ...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/fsa-orbit-xlii-headset-no-5-/rp-prod1164
...

Very very perceptive, the photos of the two are slightly different, the lower cups look different.

The SJS link:  http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/fsa-orbit-xl-2-1-1-8-inch-aheadset-prod3101/?geoc=us

The SJS photo shows a lower cup that appears to be more rounded, whereas the Chain Reaction Cycles one appears to have a sharper edge to the bend in the lower cup.

My Sherpa (older than 2010) is in storage right now, I can look at it but it would be very inconvenient to try to put it next to my Nomad (2013) where I can see both together.  But when I look at each of them separately they appear to be the same and appear to be the more rounded version that SJS has on their website.  That said, the Sherpa one says Cane Creek on the upper cup but had an FSA stem cap.

The link that Dan had for the bearings said that the bearings fit both the FSA and the equivalent Cane Creek.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/fsa-headset-bearing-sealed-for-orbit-xlii-prod20944/?geoc=us

So, I am starting to think that both my Nomad and Sherpa have identical headsets although the branding is different.

[rualexander]

Yes the FSA and the Cane Creek are identical, my Sherpa has the FSA branded version and my Audax mk3 has the Cane Creek version, I queried this with SJSC when I got the Audax and was told they are the same headset.
That one on Chain Reaction does state that it is a new version.

[Dave Whittle Thorn Workshop]

Yes the FSA and the Cane Creek are identical, my Sherpa has the FSA branded version and my Audax mk3 has the Cane Creek version, I queried this with SJSC when I got the Audax and was told they are the same headset.

There was a licence/patent dispute over the gold compression washer for some time, whilst this was ongoing FSA put a marking of pat. Cane Creek, it was simply a nod to Cane Creek they were using their patent under license, eventually this was resolved and they went back to being branded FSA, they were always made by FSA (TH Industries) and still had FSA top caps.

[mickeg]

Dave, thanks for the clarification.

[rualexander]

Had a look at mine today, I got them the wrong way round, the Sherpa has the Cane Creek branding and the Audax has the FSA branding, both have FSA top caps.

[mickeg]

Mine are cleaner.

[mickeg]

A QUICK UPDATE

Above I stated that:

.... I have rebuilt a Cane Creek a few times, that is the C-2 model.  Fortunately I saved the PDF exploded diagram for it on my hard drive years ago, that also is not on Cane Creek web site any more.  That model has bearing retainers that I can disassemble and re-grease the individual ball bearings.  ...

But when I took my Nomad Mk II apart to pack for a trip, I looked at the headset and the Orbit XL II does not appear to have bearings that can be disassembled down to the individual ball bearing level like my older Cane Creek one.  So, if your Orbit bearings go, don't bother trying to regrease the bearings like I mentioned earlier, I do not think you will succeed.

The headset in the photo is not complete, the cups are still in the frame, the photo is the way I am packing my fork for transport so I can keep all the parts in the correct order.