New headset allows use of tapered steerers in some 1-1/8in head tubes

By James Huang, technical editor | Monday, Mar 8, 2010 10.00am

Cane Creek's new XX 44mm Traditional lower headset assemblies will let riders use tapered forks in frames equipped with a straight 44mm-bore 1-1/8in ZeroStack head tube.

When launched in June, this should help breathe new life into countless older frames out there and allow their owners to take advantage of the latest technology without having to upgrade their entire setup.

Since the 1.5in lower steerer will fit through the ZeroStack head tube – but the steerer and bearing together will not – the XX 44mm Traditional will move the cup and bearing to the outside of the frame.

This will add just under 10mm of stack height (hence the 'Traditional' nomenclature), but assuming the buyer sticks to the same travel as the old fork, and taking sag into account, the net geometry change should be less than one degree to the head and seat tube angles.

While this will open up the upgrade potential for current owners of ZeroStack-equipped frames, Cane Creek say the idea actually came from small-volume frame builders seeking a way to fit tapered forks into head tubes that weren't massively oversized and without requiring expensive and complex machining. 

"After hearing from David Turner [of Turner Bicycles] and then speaking with Sean [Chaney of Vertigo Cycles], I was so excited by the problem-solving nature of his headset solution and its far reaching implications for both new and old bicycles using the ZeroStack standard that I produced a technical drawing the same day," said Cane Creek director of research and development Josh Coaplen. "The headset bottom is simply a 1.5in traditional with a 44mm diameter insertion sleeve that fits a frame using the ZeroStack standard."

"Custom builders, like Sean, may not have the tooling available to them to produce a tapered head tube. They also don’t want to make a 1.5in straight head tube for a cross-country or road bike," said Cane Creek marketing director Jason Grantz.

"ZeroStack is still used heavily on mountain bikes and is now making its way downmarket to hybrid/city bikes and more cost-sensitive mountain bikes that use a straight 1-1/8in steerer. So, this solution solves a problem and allows a builder to produce a ZS-standard head tube and still run a tapered fork through it. It also allows me to put a tapered RockShox on my 2007 BMC TrailFox, which I just might do."

Bear in mind that ZeroStack is not the same as a truly integrated headset – where the cups are part of the frame – and not all internal-cup head tubes will work.  Compatible frames must have a straight 44mm internal bore but it's quite a popular fitment with models from Giant, Pivot and Scott all sporting appropriate dimensions along with heaps of others.

Cane Creek will ultimately offer two versions of the XX 44mm Traditional lower headset assembly: a high-end model similar to the company's 110 XX and made at the company headquarters in North Carolina plus a lower-cost option made overseas.

Cane creek's new xx 44mm traditional lower headset assembly will allow tapered forks to fit inside compatible 1-1/8in zerostack head tubes:

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User Comments

There are 5 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 comments

  • Looks like a solution in search of a problem that doesn't exist. Doesn't this defeat the whole object of 'integrated headsets'...?

  • @softlad - this isn't about integrated headsets. The ZeroStack is what Cane Creek calls what are otherwise known as internal or semi-integrated headsets, which as the article states, are not the same as 'integrated headsets.'

    The main reason to use an integrated headset is to reduce weight. The main reason to use an internal headset is to reduce headset height, which is why Cane Creek calls it ZeroStack. Yes, this therefore defeats the original purpose of internal headsets, but increasing the number of options available is normally a good thing, and that is what this does. Unfortunately, headsets, head tubes, and steerers sizes and standards are currently ballooning, and it's difficult to keep track of them all already. This just adds a little more confusion, which is the only bad thing.

  • This is amazing for people who like to swap frames or forks often. It also allows the use of stiffer tapered forks on "regular" frames.

    The problem does indeed exist for some of us...

  • Chris+W,

    I wouldn't say that this new headset necessarily confuses things further as it doesn't introduce a new head tube or steerer tube standard. Rather, it simply allows two previously non-compatible standards to now work together.

    As you've said, it opens up options for people and I'll also add that it only requires replacing the lower headset assembly, too. In many cases, the additional stack height will be a good thing: for example, riders currently using 100mm forks that want more stiffness up front from a tapered steerer tube will likely want the very slightly slackened angles, too - win, win.

  • As James said, it's not a new standard at all. Bikes with the required head tubes have existed for at least a decade. I just wanted a way to build bikes that can accommodate tapered steerer forks without having to waste a few pounds of titanium to bore a head tube from solid bar. This simple headset has the potential to be a big deal for independent builders like me and for small to mid sized production shops as well. I'm looking for suspension fork makers to open up tapered forks to the aftermarket in the next few months.

  • 1

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