The hate on this poor little thing surprise me each time ?
I ride in a rainy/muddy country. Bearings particularly suffer here.

The cheap headsets you get with the frame with a good layer of marine grease(especially on top of the bottom bearings) will last as much as the more expensive ones.
Even more if you ride a dry area.

An integrated headset is just bearings and some shims and caps, no special tech here.
With bearings that will never see any speed or make a full turn in their life, why not spend elsewhere your hard earned cash ?

I have no problem going with the one provided and stick some Phils grease in there. Appreciate the feedback! Now I'm hoping to find a good rear shock and 8x30 bearing. Seems the RS SID Luxe 165x40 is sold out everywhere. Discontinued maybe? May have to look at a Fox rear shock or see if something new comes out this October when new parts/bikes are usually released.

I am looking to pick up a FM909 in L as I'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam. I'm going to be using it for trail riding and some bikepacking. I've noticed some parts lists from other posts and will start with the Rockshox SID Ultimate Fork in 120mm. But my question is, do I need to order any extra of the bolts for the rear linkage or anything like that with my order? I'm not planning to get the headset or clamp or anything like that as I'll buy those from a different manufacturer. I have a Carbonda 696 gravel bike and I wasn't impressed with the axles. Maybe they are different on this so I may try and get the rear axle and just put a spacer on it since some have had issues with it bottoming out. But I'm just wondering besides the extra derailleur hanger, what should I request? Also, will the FSA headset linked in the FM936 thread fit this bike as well? Thanks! Winter 2022-2023 build incoming!