BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Cane Creek has announced that it has compiled an online headset ‘fit-finder’, launched on the back of the growing use of tapered steering systems.
Scheduled to be live on Cane Creek’s website by October 1st, the Fit-Finder allows users to identify headset requirements by simply entering make and model information or utilising a step-by-step measurement approach that generates fit results based on frame and fork configuration.
Manufacturers are increasingly swaying toward the use of tapered steerer-tubes and/or tapered head-tubes into frame designs – one of the reasons Cane Creek has simplified things on its website.
Tapered designs utilize combinations of Traditional, Zero Stack, Integrated and 1.5 headsets that currently result in many unique assembly matches. This presents a significant inventory challenge for bike shops under the old way of having to carry complete headsets to service each unique assembly. Under the Cane Creek Tapered Headset Solution, the universe of possible configurations can be met by four top assemblies and six bottom assemblies.
“We are talking about reducing a dealer’s inventory requirements by a factor of 5x, while providing serviceability of all current configurations” says Josh Coaplen, Cane Creek Director of Engineering. “28 headsets can represent more than a $1000 investment in inventory, whereas 4 top assemblies and 6 bottom assemblies will only be about $200.”
Effective immediately Cane Creek is offering its range of 110, AER, XX and selected S-series headsets in separate Top and Bottom assemblies. A dealer now has the ability to mix-and-match headset configurations to meet virtually any tapered requirement.
Cane Creek marketing director, Jason Grantz told BikeBiz: "Beyond Tapered solutions dealers will also have the ability to mix-and-match typical headset tops and bottoms to make any number of color combinations. Example: a dealer can order a Blue 110 Traditional Top and a Red 110 Traditional Bottom."
The online Headset Fit-Finder database will debut at Interbike this September, with the manufacturer offering demonstrations on its stand.
Downloadable resources will also go live at canecreek.com, including an Introduction to Tapered Headsets, a Headset ID guide, an OE Head Tube Specifications guide and Headset Technical Specifications guide.
