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Item # CNE0019
Item # CNE0019With Cane Creek's 40-Series Headset, you don't have to worry that spending less will equate to getting less performance. It's the working class headset that offers serious durability and smooth performance, rivaling their 110-Series Headset. Part of the money you save if due to the fact that they sell it only in Black, though Cane Creek makes sure that it gets a good polished finish before it sees the ano tank.
Where the 110 headset has cups machined from 7075 T6 aluminum, this 40-Series Headset is crafted from 6061 T6 alloy. The functional difference is one of a few grams, with the higher tech alloy of the 110 headset allowing a lighter overall part. This 40-Series Headset spins on Cane Creek's black oxide bearings. The races and balls start out as 52100 steel and are then given an acid bath to make them more corrosion resistant, while still being porous enough to retain grease. They are angular contact bearings (ACB), which resist both axial and radial loads equally well. The cartridges are sealed with what Cane Creek likes to call a Split Lip Seal, which has two contact seals per side to better keep out contaminants and hold in grease.
To augment the seals on the cartridge bearings, Cane Creek adds face seals to the crown race and top assembly. So what if the bearings aren't stainless -- grease kept in and muddy goop kept out keeps 'em running like new for a long time. In the event that you might wreck the bearings through normal use or abuse, you should know that all the internal parts in this 40-Series Headset are compatible with their top-of-the-line 110-Series Headset. So you could always upgrade to the 110 headset's stainless steel bearings. The Clip-Seal in the upper assembly holds all the parts together, including the compression ring. This makes assembly a cinch, since there are no loose parts to misplace or install backwards.
The Cane Creek 40-Series Headset is polished and anodized Black. Cane Creek adds laser etched graphics including their Skink logo. This is a traditional headset that will mate a fork with a straight 1-1/8" steerer tube to a 1-1/8" head tube having a 34mm i.d. The top bearing cover is compatible with Cane Creek Interlok spacers. The stack height for the top cup is 16mm and the bottom is 12mm.
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Reviews & Community
REVIEWS
SheilaEmployeeGreat value!
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
Threw this on my custom build to save a little dough. This is the second 40-series headset I've built up on a bike and I've had zero issues!
John KutcherWorkhorse
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
This is a workhorse headset. Great price. There are nicer out there but you will end up paying a lot more. If you want to save some dough then this is a great option.
Josh RGearheadGreat Value
On a custom frame, I'll spring for a King or 110 headset. For all my other builds (ironically, the ones that are probably ridden the most), I'm always buying 40 searies headsets. Looks good, solid internals and a price that doesn't break the bank. I bought this one to replace the jones headset on a jones plus bike I got this summer. The stock jones headset uses an old-school race with loose bearings. When I'm on a multiday tour or bikepacking trip, I'm thinking I'll be more comfortable knowing my steering is rolling on the sealed bearings of the Cane Creek headset. Sealed bearings may utilize smaller bearings, but the fact that they are sealed give me a bit more peace of mind when bikepacking through sand or in wet/snowy weather.
MaggieGearheadSuperb
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
This is a great headset for the money. I put this on my Surly commuter I'm working on building and it works like a charm. I don't have a headset press so I brought it to a local bike shop to be installed and I couldn't be happier with this headset
Jonathan WilsonRunning great in my tall boy
3rd season with issue riding hard in the 4 corners region
Nick M.Does this fit 44/56mm intertube diameter?
I-ManGreat Headset for the Money!
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
If you are looking for a great headset for your bike, don't look further. This looks great, is easy to install if you have a headset press to use, and is really smooth. For the price, there is not a better option in my mind.
MadsedanCan't beat it for the money!
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
Fit and finish are top notch, and no problems after install. Looks blingy but is affordable.
AndrewBest Performance/Value Out There
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
The Cane Creek 40 is my go-to headset for customer's bikes, as well as my own. Available in every possible SHIS configuration, with top-of-the-line performance. The aluminum split-ring eliminates any need for adjustment down the line, and the sealed bearings run forever, but can be dropped into the cups if they do ever poop the bed. Pretty sure they are cut in North Carolina to boot, but don't quote me on that