[CR]Reason for clip headset conversion? Now Stem tightness

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 08:41:10 -0500
From: "HM & SS Sachs" <sachs@erols.com>
To: joebz@optonline.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Reason for clip headset conversion? Now Stem tightness


I'm delighted that I usually find myself agreeing with Joe B-Z (and respect his engineering judgment), but he caused my ears to tweak with this comment on the headclip-type headsets: ---------------- "What's the reason to convert? I think people paid extra for these headsets and forks in the 30s. It was an option on a Pop Brennan. They are very easy to adjust and resistant to coming loose. Also if you use a regular stem, the stem is very secure against twisting for heavy duty use like tandems or motor pacing because the quill and steerer are engaged twice. I think they went out of fashion because it was a pain to make the fork." --------------------- We still have the head-clip design (but not recessed or integrated cups) on a Town & Country tandem, and no problem about it. Indeed, the bolt is a great place to hang the brake cable housing end hanger (Universal, rear used in front). But I somehow "learned" that the goal of stem adjustment was to get it just tight enough that it never twisted while riding. Not as tight as feasible, since it was sometimes nice if it did give a bit in a crash. Now, was this just an urban legend?

harvey sachs
mcLean va