How To Choose The Right Bicycle Headset

The Cane Creek Headset Identification Guide 

 

Headset ID : What do all these numbers mean? 

Though they are fairly simple components, bicycle headsets can be difficult to understand and purchase. Unfortunately, there are a vast array of different configurations and sizes, and it can feel quite overwhelming when looking at all the possibilities at once! The codified name that we give to a particular headset is a series of letters and numbers that describe its relevant dimensions, as well as how it fits into the bike frame. We will call this name the “Headset ID”. In the past, you may have seen this name referred to as the “SHIS” distinction.  

To make understanding headsets even more straightforward, we’ve built a new guide that simplifies the process of identifying the correct headset even more.

How to Find Your Headset ID 


Using this new, intuitive guide, you can follow each step to correctly identify what type of headset you need for your particular bicycle.
We encourage you to follow these steps, exactly as they are laid out in the guide. If followed sequentially, we’re confident that you will not only finish with the knowledge you need to make a confident purchase, but you will have learned much about how your headset goes together and be a more informed (and confident) bicycle mechanic because of it!  

Tools required for the job:  

  • Your eyes 
  • Your good ‘ole thinking cap 
  • Your bike frame 
  • Your fork  
  • Precise, digital measuring calipers 
  • Headset cup removal tool, like ParkTool RT-2 or equivalent (for identifying press-fit style headsets only)

Pro Tip:  

Some bicycle manufacturers publish the headset ID for their frames with the ‘technical specs’ or ‘frame specs’ sections on their respective webpages. Before disassembling your bike, you can begin by trying to locate this information. Unfortunately, many manufacturers do not list this information publicly. If this is the case for your bike, you MUST remove the stem and fork from the bike and follow the steps of this guide to find your Headset ID 

 

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