Cane Creek S2 User manual
WARNING: Cane Creek threadless headsets are designed for use with unthreaded, full-thickness bicycle fork steerer tubes. Use of
this headset with a threaded steerer tube or a steerer tube with a reduced wall thickness can result in cracking or breaking of the
steerer tube, causing damage to the bicycle and possible injury or death to the rider.
A) Preparing Frame and Fork for Headset Installation:
1. Use a head tube reaming and facing tool to prepare the top and bottom of the frame’s head tube.
(Be sure to use the correct reamer diameter corresponding to the headset being installed.)
2. Use a crown race cutting tool to turn and face the crown race seat of the fork. (Be sure to use the
correct cutter diameter corresponding to the headset being installed.)
NOTE: It is imperative to complete these steps to ensure a smooth operating headset. If these steps are
not completed or done improperly, the headset may be more rough in turning or may tend to “stick” to one
side or the other. This applies to ALL frames and forks, new or used,painted or unpainted.
B) Determining Required Fork Steerer Tube Length:
There are 2 possible methods for determining the required fork steerer tube length:
i) Calculation Method:
1. Determine the headset stack height by adding the following
measurements (illustration to left).
A) Bottom of the large diameter portion of the upper cup to
the outer top of the upper bearing cover (including
Interlok spacers.
B) Crown race bottom to the top of the large diameter portion
of the lower cup.
2. Measure the head tube length.
3. Measure the total height of Interlok spacers desired.
4. Measure the height of the clamp portion of the handlebar stem.
5. Add the above dimensions and subtract 3 mm for adjustment
clearance
Required fork steerer tube length = headset stack height + head tube
length + total height of Interlok spacers + stem clamp height - 3 mm
ii) Assembly Method (preferred):
1. Install the bearing cups as instructed in step D.
2. Install the crown race as instructed in step E.
3. Assemble the headset as instructed in step G.
4. Tighten 1 stem clamp bolt enough to hold the assembly in place.
5. Mark the steerer tube at the top of the stem.
6. Disassemble the stem, Interlok spacers, upper bearing cover and bearings.
7. The required fork steerer tube length will be 3 mm below the marking from step 5.
C) Cutting Fork Steerer Tube:
1. Carefully cut the fork steerer tube in the correct location, as determined from step B, using a
tubing cutter, hacksaw or other appropriate cutting tool.
2. Use a file to remove any burrs from the area of the cut to prevent damage to the upper bearing
cover o-ring.
D) Installing Upper and Lower Bearing Cups:
Press the upper and lower bearing cups (without bearings installed) into the head tube using a good
quality headset press. It is important to press on the flat inside surface only, to prevent damage to
the bearing cups. Use correctly sized headset press tool inserts if necessary.
E) Installing Crown Race:
Press the fork crown race onto the fork with an appropriate crown race installation tool until the flat
back face is flush against the fork crown. Do not press against the tapered portion of the crown race.
S2/S6 Headset Instructions
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Adjusting Bolt
Top Cap
Star Nut
Interlok Spacer (top) 3mm
Interlok Spacer 5mm
Upper Cover
Compression Ring
Bearing
Upper Cup
Lower Cup
Crown Race
1
2
3
4
6
5
7
9
10
11
8
8
Cane Creek Cycling Components • 355 Cane Creek Road • Fletcher, NC 28732
F) Installing Star Nut Into Fork Steerer Tube:
1. Position the star nut with the concave end facing upward over the top of the steerer tube.
2. Press the star nut into the steerer tube to a point 15 mm below the top. This should preferably be done using an installation
tool such as Cane Creek’s Star Nut Installation Tool Set (p/n TL0200). If this tool is unavailable, thread the compression bolt
into the star nut and lightly tap the assembly into position with a deadweight mallet or similar tool. Ensure that the threads of
the star nut are aligned with the steerer tube.
Notes:
1. When replacing a fork, it is necessary to use a new star nut.
2. Certain fork models, especially those with carbon steerers, use a special preload mechanism supplied with the fork.
When supplied,these should be installed per the instructions of the manufacturer of the fork or preload mechanism.
G) Assembling Headset:
1. Slide one bearing cartridge over the fork steerer tube while ensuring the angled surface at the inside diameter of the cartridge
is downward and mates with the crown race angle.
2. Insert the fork steerer tube into the head tube, holding it while completing the steps below.
3. Install the upper bearing cartridge over the steerer tube while ensuring the angled surface at the outside of the bearing
cartridge is downward and mates with the angle at the inside of the upper bearing cup.
4. Slide the compression ring over the steerer tube with the angled surface downward and the split facing one side or the other.
5. Install the upper bearing cover (It may be necessary to apply a small amount of grease to the o-ring to allow easy installation).
6. Install desired Interlok spacers (if used) and then the stem onto the steerer tube.
NOTE: The spacers provided with the headset (1-1/8”headsets only) are interlocking and should be assembled with the
protruding diameter upward. Cane Creek’s patent pending Interlok spacers minimize the undesirable relative radial motion
between spacers and make the assembly more rigid. Though less desirable, it is possible to invert spacers as desired to make
slight stack height adjustments or to accommodate stems with minimal interface at the top of the spacers.
7. Seat the steerer tube firmly upward in the head tube and the stem firmly downward against the spacer (or upper bearing
cover), leaving the clamp bolts loose.
CAUTION: The top of the steerer tube must be 3 mm below the top of the stem before the compression bolt is tightened. If the steerer tube
is too long,sufficient compression may not be possible and the headset will remain loose,risking rapid headset wear and possible damage
to the frame. If the steerer tube is too short, the stem may not have sufficient clamping surface against the steerer tube to be used safely.
H) Tightening/Preloading Headset Assembly:
1. Lubricate the compression bolt.
2. Insert the compression bolt through the recess in the top cap and begin threading the bolt into the star nut, while seating the
top cap into the top of the stem.
3. With the stem clamp bolts still loose, tighten the compression bolt with a 5 mm hex wrench to preload the bearings. Apply
only enough torque to remove all play from the headset while ensuring it still rotates freely.
CAUTION: Insufficient preload will result in a loose headset. Excessive preload will result in the headset binding. Either condition will
cause rapid headset wear and could adversely affect the steering characteristics of the bicycle.
4. With the stem aligned with the fork, secure the stem to the steerer tube and lock in the bearing preload by tightening the
stem clamp bolt/s. These should be tightened to the torque recommended by the stem manufacturer.
WARNING: Make sure the stem clamp bolts are sufficiently tight to prevent the stem and handlebars from turning relative to the steerer
tube. A loose stem can result in damage to the bike, loss of control, and severe injury or death to the rider.
5. If the headset needs readjusting after the initial break-in period: Loosen the stem clamp bolt/s, reset the preload with the
compression bolt (step 3) and retighten the stem clamp bolts (step 4). Note: It is essential that the stem is securely tightened
to the steerer tube.
WARRANTY
Cane Creek Cycling Components warrants its bicycle products for a period of 1 year from the original date of purchase. Any
product that is found to be defective in materials or workmanship will be repaired or replaced at the discretion of Cane Creek. This
warranty applies to the original owner only. This warranty does not cover damage or failure resulting from misuse, abuse, alter-
ation, neglect, wear and tear, crash or impact, lack of maintenance or other conditions judged by Cane Creek to be abnormal,
excessive, or improper. It is mandatory that a Return Authorization Number (RA#) be obtained by calling Cane Creek before any
product is returned. Additionally, a dated Proof of Purchase must accompany the product when returned. (Revised 7.15.2003)
This manual suits for next models
1
Table of contents
Other Cane Creek Headset manuals
