Replace cage bearings with cartridge?

[Beekeeper]

I have a 2019 reaction hybrid and would like to replace the awful headset cage bearings with cartridge bearings. How do I go about this? How easy is it?

 

[TheRealPoMo]

What's wrong with them Beekeeper? I had similar bike for almost 3 years/6000km. Greased from new and once more, no problems.
Maybe because I've had so many old motorcycles with caged ball bearings, not sure why they are so maligned on pushbikes. No negative commentry here, just asking.

 

[Beekeeper]

What's wrong with them Beekeeper? I had similar bike for almost 3 years/6000km. Greased from new and once more, no problems.
Maybe because I've had so many old motorcycles with caged ball bearings, not sure why they are so maligned on pushbikes. No negative commentry here, just asking.

perhaps the grease has gone, feels a bit rough when turning. Last time I inspected them a few ball bearings had disintegrated. Can’t seem to get the balance right between being too loose with the headset creaking or too tight with grinding noise. Could be I’m using the wrong grease. Just ordinary Halfords bike grease

 

[TheRealPoMo]

Ah well if the ball bearings have gone you may as well go cartridge. There's been a few threads here about replacing them. For some reason Cube didn't put grease in there...maybe it all went in their food.
Just jokes... I love German food...and beer.

 

[urastus]

Can’t seem to get the balance right between being too loose with the headset creaking or too tight with grinding noise

It probably isn't your lack of skill. I know with bottom brackets on analogue bikes that many of them simply are out of alignment - they were manufactured that way. The only potential issue I can see with a cartridge is that it will have smaller balls, but should over ride the alignment issue.