Fast turns, sprinting or horrible rock gardens, a stiffer cockpit is neccessary for fast and hard riding. But it is not done with a stiff handlebar. The handlebar itself should have some small flex for symmetrical loads to increase comfort, but onesided loads should not make the system bend.
The one-piece spacer increase the stiffness further (one is included). With the current model it is not necessary to take a Intend Spacer. You can put every other spacer there without an Intend spacer as well as additional to the Intend spacer.
Note:
The Stiffmaster stack height is 14mm. For general height pls calculate eg. 14+1,5mm, 14+7mm, 14 + 13mm or 14+20mm.
One Intend spacer of your choice is uncluded. You can purchase other spacers additional.
The Stiffmaster headset IS a headest, you do not need another headset on the top to make the Stiffmaster fit
The stiffmaster is only available in ZS49 and ZS44, a IS41/42 is not possible
Features of the Stiffmaster
88g weight upper shell excl. spacer
14mm stack height
Suitable for ZS44 and ZS 49 headtubes (IS41/42 is not planned for the future)
One-piece spacers available in 20, 13, 7, 1.5mm, one is inclued
3Nm bolt-torque
~40% more stiffness compared to normal headsets
Colors: black and raw
Price: 79 Euro (ZS44 incl. VAT)
84 Euro (ZS49 incl. VAT)
Technology
Since the end of 20th century there was no progress of bicycle headsets. 2017 Paul Aston from Pinkbike came and we talked about forks, doublecrowns and singlecrown forks. He mentioned the weak point of the sinclecrown versions, in his eyes the steerertube is to flexy that the handlebar (one side) can move up and down. Doublecrownforks would avoid this and make a stiffer and more precise ride.
He was right. I never thought about the handlebar stiffness when it is about a fork. I told him “I will think about that and find a solution”.
Two weeks later I showed him the ideas of the Stiffmaster headset.
So what does it do ?
On the left side you can find the drawing of a traditional headset. Conical ring (red), bearing (blue), caps and spacer (black).
The steerertube is 28,6mm with wallthickness of 2mm. (for comparison a handlebar is 31,8 or 35mm with about 3mm wallthickness). This tube is really bending due to the high loads of one sided handlebar actions like sprinting or fast turnes. The connection between the bearing, the conical ring and the steerer is not tight, there is just “no play”, but these parts can move relative to each other, that’s why bending of the steerer appears.
On the right you see the Stiffmaster headset. The green shell is fixed to the steerer with the clamp of the upper cap. So the cap and the shell becomes one unit with the steerer tube. If there will be any bending of the tube, this construction will avoid this bending, while it lays down on the axial needle-bearing. It’s not possible for the steerertube to move in any way.
The massive onepiece spacer on the top (20, 13, 7mm or 1,5mm) increases this stiff feeling.
FAQ
Do I need a lower headset if I buy a Stiffmaster ?
Yes, the Stiffmaster is an upper headset only
Do I need something else between frame and Stiffmaster ?
No, you simply install the Stiffmaster as a normal headset
Can I install the Stiffmaster aditional to my existing headset ?
No, the Stiffmaster replaced your former upper headset
Do you offer a IS41/42 version ?
No
Can I ride the headset without your Stiffmaster-Spacer ?
Yes
Can I add other spacers on top of your Stiffmaster-Spacer ?
Yes
I have an angleset, can I put the Stiffmsater to my angleset ?
No, that is not possible, Stiffmaster is only offered in a straight version
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