Why not replace the whole headset at once? The top and bottom are designed to work together. As Jason pointed out back in October 2025, the correct part number for the Cane Creek headset in BAA2471. And Cane Creek is on the EC Members Benefits list.
After three previous warranty requests and lazy attempts at making me go away, Specialized sent the mother of all fixes to my LBS and had them install it (first image). A cheap alloy FSA 4-mm dust cover. I knew then I was on my own.
Jason’s post above came just in time. After feeling ill for a day looking at my poor, disfigured Crux, I found the comment and part number in this thread and ordered the headset. It’s been five months or so of hard riding since I installed it, and it’s still solid (second image).
I feel a little silly contributing yet again to this thread. But it was such an infuriating experience, and I have sympathy for the folks who are still having to sort this problem out with their bikes. Probably selfish angst, too. Oh well, I’m human.
I don’t know how manufacturers like Cane Creek decide to make one part or another for a specific market. But it’s funny how the Hellbender 70 Lite is made just for a Crux and Aethos. I sometimes maliciously imagine Specialized approaching Cane Creek and saying “Please, get us out of this mess. We’ll do anything,” and then subsidizing Cane Creek making this part. Ha ha, just goes to show how sore I still am about it. In any case, the headset has worked well for me.
