“IS” = “integrated system.” The IS design uses no cups. IS bearings rest inside the head tube of the bike’s frame, which has been specifically designed to cradle the bearings and manufactured to the Cane Creek IS worldwide standard. Other integrated designs do exist on the market, so contact Cane Creek with any compatibility questions. The performance of this headset relies on quality manufacturing of the frame/bicycle maker. Like the ZeroStack design, the IS headset cannot be retrofitted to an existing bike with traditional headset cups.
Submitted by
NoNeedForAName
a Cross Country Rider
from Uh huh, Western, USA Date Reviewed: June 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Good Trails are Neat
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Came with Litespeed
Strengths:
Just plain works, east to install, 3 years so far-no maintenance! Light weight. Smooth as buttah.
Weaknesses:
Stupid people install it wrong, ride with it tightened to tight or not tight enough.
Similar Products Used:
Cris King, Cane Creek, FSA, Ritchey, WTB
Bike Setup:
Who cares! You won't be able to tell as I scream past you.
Bottom Line:
Works well for cross country riding/racing - Probably not the best for DH or FreeRide applications.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Grandpa
a Cross Country Rider
from Erie, Pa Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Utah, High Country where the trees grow
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
SuperGo
Strengths:
Very Light and Great Seals
Weaknesses:
None with proper installation.
Similar Products Used:
none like these.
Bike Setup:
2001 Zaskar Team - Full XTR, Easton Carbon Bars and Seat Post, SID Race, Tubeless Pythons/Mavic CrossMax. 21 1/2 lbs light with Egg Beater Pedals.
Bottom Line:
There is a top and bottom side to the bearings. The angle goes in the head tube first for proper set-up. If there are installed flat side in, the streering tube will rock around. This could damage the machined head tube, not good!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nate
a
from biddeford Date Reviewed: May 12, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
um, none if it doest work, right?
Weaknesses:
the bearings are "designed" to rock around in the integrated cups and wear them out.
Bike Setup:
litespeed appalachian cross
Bottom Line:
Why would anyone design a headset that floats in the head tube, it just makes no sense. mine failed in under 300 miles. supposedly cane creek customer service is cool, but they ought to be to make up for a poor product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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