Cane Creek 40 – reliable headset for sporty bikes
The Cane Creek 40 headset is a versatile, high-quality Ahead headset that offers a very good balance of durability, light weight and price, making it ideal for sporty touring, all-mountain and trail bikes.
Robust technology for precise steering behavior
The Cane Creek 40 uses CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum bearing cups and sealed industrial bearings to ensure precise, play-free steering and a long service life. Many variants cover common head tube standards such as ZS44, ZS56, IS42, IS52, or EC44, allowing the headset to be adapted to a wide range of modern frames and forks.
Suitable for everyday use and tuning-friendly
Its ingenious sealing system with a clip seal at the top and a low-friction seal at the bottom reliably protects the bearings from dirt and moisture, while the internally machined cups keep the weight down. Thanks to interchangeable top and bottom sections, the Cane Creek 40 is easy to service or adapt to a new bicycle when changing frames.
specification
| feature | Description |
|---|
| design | Depending on the version, integrated (IS), semi-integrated (ZS) or external (EC); typical configurations e.g. ZS44/28.6 – ZS56/40 or IS42/28.6 – IS52/40 for tapered fork steerer tubes. |
| Seals | Clip seal at the top for complete sealing and retention of the compression ring, plus low-friction seal at the bottom for smooth operation and good protection. |
| Color | Mostly black anodized with a subtle Cane Creek logo, matching most frame and fork designs. |
| Fork steerer | Designed for 1 1/8" to 1 1/2" tapered fork steerer tubes (e.g. 28.6 mm top, 40 mm bottom steerer tube diameter, depending on the variant). |
| Frame compatibility | For common head tube dimensions such as 44 mm, 56 mm, 42 mm or 52 mm press-fit or inner diameter depending on the version chosen; ideal for many modern MTB and gravel frames. |
| Storage | Sealed industrial bearings (partially stainless steel), replaceable and designed for long durability even in wet conditions. |
| Bearing shells | Made from 6061-T6 aluminum, internally machined to save weight while maintaining stability. |
| Material of cover cap | Lightweight aluminum cover cap, depending on the version e.g. approximately 8–9 mm height (“Short Cover” variants for a sporty, flat look). |
| Mounting system | Ahead system with compression claw or expander (depending on the fork), suitable for modern stems with 1 1/8" clamp. |
| Typical area of application | MTB, trekking, gravel and sporty everyday bikes where a robust but lightweight headset system is required. |
| Weight | Depending on the variant, the weight is usually in the range of approximately 100–120 g for the complete headset including the lid. |
Scope of delivery
- Complete Cane Creek 40 headset (upper and lower parts in the selected design and size)
