How to make your headset last longer

New head please

I recently had to replace a headset when making a change of forks. Budget being what it was (i.e.completely blown by the purchase of some new forks) I couldn't afford a King headset. With a new arrival in the family lately I have a lot less spare cash to blow on bling MTB parts. And on a 1.5" steerer, the choice of headset is quite limited.

Miss Piggy

Pig 1.5"

Basically, I needed a headset, star nut and top cap bundle. My final choice being FSA's solid (all steel, heavy) open bearing (cheap) Big Fat Pig. It's not incredible - the stack height is not small (29mm), it weighs the best part of a pound (345g). But, as far as it goes, it's nicely made, like almost every other FSA part I've owned.

In the 1.5" standard size, it is their budget offering...