I really like my circa 2005 intense uzzi. My only complaint is its a tad short in the toptube. I recently got a screaming deal on a totem 1 1/8 steeertube, so that got me thinking about a way to solve my slightly too short frame, and thought this would be a cool project.
We've all seen the reducer cups, as well as the reducer headsets, well how about an OFFSET REDUCING CUP?
Depending how you install it, it will either lengthen or shorten YOUR 1.5 HEADTUBE BIKE by about 5.5mm or almost a 1/4". You obviously must run a 1 1 /8 fork.
The lines you see on the top are there to help orient them during installation. Just like is done with anglesets.
I was running a 60mm stem on my uzzi and i felt cramped, I switched to a 65mm stem and felt more comfortable, so yes 5mm does make a difference. Problem is i didn't like the extra stem length for DH.
Will these work? Think there would be any demand for this? I have a few contacts from school who are machinists and am thinking about running a few sets. Would you be interested? Please discuss. Thx
Didn't have any anti seize, but I used liberal amounts of grease. Should be good to test.
Installation went well, I used a string pulled taught to mark my centreline of head tube, and the cups went in straight with no turning,
Parking lot test of the bike -- I'm surprised at how much you can feel the longer length in the top tube/wheelbase straight away. I'll reserve further comment until after a test ride on a familiar trail.
There is no reason why it wouldn't work. You may get less than the 5mm of offset once you account for the bearings though. It would also probably be a niche product.
Are you familiar with Works Components angle adjustment headsets? They are similar to what you have in mind except they are designed to change the head angle. They use Cane Creek bearings and are a nice, simple product.
You don't need to make anything, just get 1.5 degree Angleset cups for the top and bottom of the head tube. This will lengthen the top tube and accomplish the same thing without the hassel.
OP, go for it. :thumbsup:
I dont think that would make you rich or anything, but makes sense and you could probably sell them small scale like the bbg bash and the guys with the DU tool.
I'm sure the OPs product would be cheaper than going the double angleset route.
Are you familiar with Works Components angle adjustment headsets? They are similar to what you have in mind except they are designed to change the head angle. They use Cane Creek bearings and are a nice, simple product.
yes im familiar with the works products, very cool. They did it the right way, unlike canecreek trying to cut corners.
You don't need to make anything, just get 1.5 degree Angleset cups for the top and bottom of the head tube. This will lengthen the top tube and accomplish the same thing without the hassel.
MGS
You are incorrect sir. Works angle sets will lengthen the WHEELBASE ONLY, not the toptube. FYi a 1 degree works angle set will increase wheelabse by about 10mm using a 180 fork for example. Works Angle cups will in no way affect the toptube (infact it might even shorten it just a tad)
From what I can tell, this idea is the only way to change the top tube length on a bike. My thoughts are there may be some DH guys with 1.5 headtubes who may like to tweak their bikes.
If anyone is interested in some of these I will give them to you AT COST. The more sets I can inlcude in my first manufactured batch the better. I'm estimating between $50 - $75 per pair.
there are other flaws in his idea that prevent it from working correctly, but he is talking about running the upper cup backward so both offsets are toward the front of the frame...
OP, great idea! As others have mentioned, it is probably a small market b/c full 1.5 headtubes seem to be going the way of the dodo. I had a 1.5 headtube on my last bike and would have given this a shot as opposed to a longer stem.
Good luck & keep brainstorming, the more new ideas the better.
Just use a bit of anti-seize compound and you'll be fine. I ran a set of prototype cups from Cane Creek and they worked great ( raw aluminum, no anodizing).
Great Idea, I think its something people might want. I'm interested to see how it feels when you go from long setting to short. Id love to try some out!
Out of curiosity..... Would this lower the BB and steepen the head angle. Using the rear wheel as a fulcrum lengthing the top tube reach would push the arc outward and point of contact further out. Not sure if I am coming across clearly but it is the only way I know how to put it. Cooll idea though.....good luck with the endeavor
only downside i see, is that you'd have to use external headset cups.
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