• Vintage headset.
• 1 inch.
• Complete including bearings, ready to fit.
• Unbranded but likely a Stronglight A9.
• Neddle (roller) bearings.
• 30.2 cups.
• 26.4 crown race.
• 80s. 
• Aluminium.
• 78g.

Top quality headset with needle bearings. It is unbranded but I am quite convinced this is a Stronglight A9. These came in the 80s and by then many parts were printed branded rather than "last-forever" stamped, so it wasn't uncommon for the logos to wear off. 

This is the real deal A9, with proper needle bearings. It was redesigned by Stronglight a few years ago and put for sale again as a classic headset, but now with traditional ball bearings, probably to make it cheaper. If you see a new Stronglight A9 advertised for around 50, it is most likely a ball bearing  and not a roller bearing one.

If you haven't tried headsets with needle bearings, they have their particularities. On one hand, they are more complex and tend to be much better quality than the average headset, with excellent materials and good precision. But probably their main advantage is how extremely hardwearing they are. Roller bearings provide much more contact surface that ball bearings, so these headsets tolerate punishment particularly well. Specially in heavy duty applications like off-road riding or loaded touring, they last much longer than standard headsets. On the other hand, they are more expensive and the feeling is different. Roller bearing headsets provide more friction, and due to the bearing contact plates, there might be a slight movement (not play) in the system. 

If you want the smoothest and freest turning headset with absolutely zero movement, then you will be better off with a traditional ball bearing headset (99.9% of the headsets out there!). But if you want maximum durability, nearly zero maintenance, and you don't mind a bit more friction than a normal headset (very appreciated anyway for front loaded touring, bikes with a front rack or to avoid shimmy at speed), then this is great, and on top of that you will get a vintage classic. For many people those needle bearing headsets of the 80s were the best threaded headsets ever made.

I recommend to fit good quality grease as due to its sturdiness it is likely to be there for many years unserviced. It was common at the time to change the bottom bearings for the upper ones just to redestribute the load as the lower ones have a harder job. Lighter grease gives it a smoother feel, comparatively more than a standard headset. 

Outside diameter is 30.2, crown race 26.4mm. Weight is a really low 78 g, significantly lower than a Campagnolo Record.

All in all, a top quality vintage headset, an excellent addition for your classic bike. Not many like this left!

Condition is generally good. Complete, cleaned and degreased, Mechanically all rollers are there. There is wear in bearing contact plates as normal in a headset this old but it should have plenty of miles left (it was working perfectly on the bike it was fitted). Bottom bearing and plate show some discolouration (I would fit this one on top together with the lower bearing). Cosmetically there are some blemishes (like one chip in top nut), as expected in a headset this vintage. Please study all pics carefully, they are part of the description. Happy to reply any Q's or make more pics if needed. Please note that correct installation is absolutely a must for the proper fucntioning of the headset.