Tech Tuesday - Cane Creek AngleSet Install

Nov 28, 2011 at 11:40

Cane Creek's AngleSet headset allows riders to fine tune their bike's geometry to better suit their terrain and riding style, but its bearing and gimbal design necessitates a very exacting installation process in order for it to function properly. While many riders are familiar with the steps involved with installing a standard sealed bearing headset, assembling the AngleSet in the same manner will often result in a curious noise emitting from the front of your bike, or even a loose feeling from the headset that only seems to be cured when it's overtightened. If that sounds like your bike, or if you are unsure of how to properly install the AngleSet, watch the video below directly from Cane Creek to learn how to do the job correctly so that your AngleSet performs at its best.

What's needed:
• Headset press
• Grease
• Hex keys
• Repair stand

Some helpful pointers before you begin:
• Watch this preliminary AngleSet installation video first to see how to install the cups into the frame and some of the basics of the process before proceeding to the detailed gimbal installation video below.
• Proper gimbal installation is key to a successful AngleSet installation. Take extra care to ensure that both upper and lower gimbals are aligned correctly before tightening the headset.
• Grease is your friend. Use it thoroughly on the cups, gimbals and bearings in order to both ease installation and keep the headset quiet.
• While a repair stand is not required for many repairs, this is one job where it makes a lot of sense. Your bike needs to be held perfectly still for the gimbals to have the best chance of seating properly within the headset cups.

AngleSet Installation

www.canecreek.com

Do you have any AngleSet pointers to add? Share them below!

Past Tech Tuesdays:

TT #1 - How to change a tube.
TT #2 - How to set up your SRAM rear derailleur
TT #3 - How to remove and install pedals
T #4 - How To Bleed Your Avid Elixir Brakes
TT #5 - How To Check And Adjust Your Headset
TT #6 - How To Fix A Broken Chain
TT #7 - Tubeless Conversion
TT #8 - Chain Wear
TT #9 - SRAM Shift Cable Replacement
TT #10 - Removing And Installing a Headset
TT #11 - Chain Lube Explained
TT #12 - RockShox Totem and Lyric Mission Control Damper Mod
TT #13 - Shimano XT Crank and Bottom Bracket Installation
TT #14 - Straightening Your Derailleur Hanger
TT #15 - Setting Up Your Front Derailleur
TT #16 - Setting Up Your Cockpit
TT #17 - Suspension Basics
TT #18 - Adjusting The Fox DHX 5.0
TT #19 - Adjusting The RockShox BoXXer World Cup
TT #20 - Servicing Your Fox Float Shock
TT #21 - Wheel Truing Basics
TT #22 - Shimano Brake Pad Replacement
TT #23 - Shimano brake bleed
TT #24 - Fox Lower Leg Removal And Service
TT #25 - RockShox Motion Control Service
TT #26 - Avid BB7 Cable Disk Brake Setup
TT #27 - Manitou Dorado Fork Rebuild

TT #28 - Manitou Circus Fork Rebuild
TT #29 - MRP G2 SL Chain Guide Install
TT #30 - Cane Creek Angleset Installation
TT #31 - RockShox Maxle Lite DH
TT #32 - Find Your Tire Pressure Sweet Spot
TT #33 - Three Minute Bike Preflight Check
TT #34 - MRP XCG Install
TT #35 - Stem Choice and Cockpit Setup
TT #36 - Handlebars - How Wide Affects Your Ride
TT #37 - Repairing A Torn Tire
TT #38 - Coil spring swap
TT #39 - Trailside help: Broken Shift Cable
TT #40 - Installing a Fox Float Air-Volume Spacer
TT #41 - Replace the Seals on Your 2011 RockShox Boxxer World Cup Fork
TT #42 - Clean and Lubricate Your Fox F32 Dust Wiper Seals
TT #43 - Thread Locker Basics
TT #44 - Install a SRAM X.0 Two-By-Ten Crankset
TT #45 - VPP Suspension Bearing Service
TT #46 - Rotor Straightening
TeT #47 - Finding and fixing that creak
TT #48 - Bleed and Service Magura Marta Disc Brakes
TT #49 - Cup and Cone Hub Basics
TT #50 - Install and Adjust Pedal Cleats
TT #51 - Cup and Cone Hub Rebuild
TT #52 - Converting Mavic Crossmax SX Axles
TT #53 - Cassette Removal and Installation

Visit Parktool.com to see their entire lineup of tools and lubes

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57 Comments

Score Time

+ 20

sandwich (Nov 29, 2011 at 6:22)

After you're done, repeat the process twice and again after every time you ride. Then try anti-seize. Then try overtightening it. Then give up and sell it and buy a Works headset. Creak/click free installation complete!

From a former owner of an angleset....

chyu (Nov 29, 2011 at 9:45)

You need 2 bikes and 2 forks to get it right.

JamisJammer95 (Nov 29, 2011 at 10:43)

Jeez, seems like you need an enormous amount of patience and an engineering degree to install the dang thing!

IllestT (Nov 29, 2011 at 15:43)

My only experience of angle change headsets is fitting a Works Components one and it was as you say Sandwich - waaaaaay simpler than this nonsense. Totally fool-proof, I pitty those who buy the Cane Creek version instead, it looks like a right pain in the a$$

bikeracer28 (Nov 29, 2011 at 15:45)

or, take it to a shop and have them. simple enough and not too expensive

deadatbirth (Nov 29, 2011 at 20:56)

you shouldnt need a shop to install a headset (besides to maybe press the cups in.)

stryke Plus (Nov 30, 2011 at 7:00)

even if you give it to a shop there is still a high possiblity it will still make a shit ton of noise and work like shit, the whole design is retarded

Cmontjumper (Dec 27, 2011 at 10:00)

well idk what you guys are on about but ive been running my angleset for almost 2 months now and no noises or loosening at all. i just apply antiseize everytime i take the fork off, even though thats only been once

bikeracer28 (Dec 27, 2011 at 19:42)

well, if you have a reliable shop, they probs won't f*ck it up, thus, problem solved. just keep going to the same shop for a long time and you will have people who are nice and rush stuff for you if you need it done quick.

Cmontjumper (Dec 27, 2011 at 19:51)

well i did it by myself haha

[Reply]

+ 23

Nobble (Nov 29, 2011 at 0:40)

All you people who used to rage about no videos...

U HAPPY NOW?

lol

connor-rix (Nov 29, 2011 at 12:16)

YAYYYYY FOR THE VIDS!!!!!!!!

bikeracer28 (Nov 29, 2011 at 15:45)

yes, i am very happy!

Dhracer97 (Nov 29, 2011 at 16:29)

YEAAAAAAA I am happy thanks for listing to me bitch about having to read Wink

diebel7 (Nov 29, 2011 at 19:45)

....maybe i just won't buy an angleset...

mattridesbikes (Nov 30, 2011 at 13:11)

I agree diebel, I'm just going to go with a new fork and framest instead lmao. (plus its more exciting that way Smile

)

[Reply]

+ 17

lanceamatic (Nov 29, 2011 at 8:09)

I think the point is, If it clicks, then you're doing it wrong. this video is meant to prevent people from having the clicking issues.

also, the music and voice of the guy talking made me feel like i was watching a forklift safety video from the 80's.

RustyCoyote (Nov 29, 2011 at 17:54)

Their still showing those particular forklift vids, only difference here is the guy setting up the angleset didnt seem to have a mullet

[Reply]

WAKIdesigns (Nov 29, 2011 at 1:15)

That looks like a task for someone more patient than me...

and 1 degree steeper than usual? - heretic!!! a not cool heretic! burn him alive! what's next? - WARNING! following text includes disturbing content that trend followers might find unacceptable, potentially disastrous, here it comes: he might want to higher up the bottom bracket! ( I say it with dr.Evil style finger by the corner of the lips) Oh no the center of gravity will go up, it is terrible! What a psycho would that nooo, I can't feel my fingers, 911, 911! bleh khee kheee

+ 10

baha-bike-matt (Nov 29, 2011 at 3:57)

im going to make a new series, called bodging mondays....

WAKIdesigns (Nov 29, 2011 at 4:37)

Look at the geometry! The numbers! the holy numbers are going in the wrong direction! aaa!

elcripple (Dec 5, 2011 at 10:52)

love the bodging mondays idea. week 1. how to install a headset using a hammer and a block of wood. Week 2. chain device not compatable with the type of mounts on your frame? we solved that! with zip ties..

[Reply]

pinkrobe (Nov 29, 2011 at 15:53)

The clicking is actually the gnarndicator. The more gnar your trail is, the more it clicks. Tightening the top cap increases the gnar threshold of the gnarndicator.
Mine works fine, had to bump up the threshold a couple of times, but it's been good since June.

deadatbirth (Nov 29, 2011 at 16:47)

i think you forgot the word gnar in there

pinkrobe (Nov 29, 2011 at 17:00)

What? No way, I swear it's... awww, you were just messin' with me...

[Reply]

UncleCliffy (Nov 29, 2011 at 10:16)

I have two bikes equipped with Anglesets. My trail bike has been flawless for me, but the downhill bike wasn't so easy. I had lots of "clunking" problems, to the point I removed the Angleset for a couple months and used a standard reducer. I didn't feel like giving up on it, so I reinstalled it using anti-seize on the gimbals instead of grease. I'm happy to say it's perfect now...

[Reply]

redjed (Nov 30, 2011 at 10:35)

Ive just fitted the new FSA ORBIT OPTION to my Rotec to slacken it by 1.5 degrees, but have found that it seems to make the same anoying deep knock when things get hectic. It runs the same GIMBAL type set up as the CC ANGLESET. I will try re-instaling it using this vid and see if it makes a difference? If not I mite be looking at WORKS COMPONENTS.......alot of you seem to reckon they are the bees knees?

[Reply]

bullcrew (Nov 29, 2011 at 0:23)

I overtighten mine hold the front brake and push down while rocking back and forth, then check the tightness again. Cranks it down a smidge and repeat.then back it off to avoid bearing tension and got rid of the clicks.

[Reply]

dmarsh15 (Nov 29, 2011 at 4:13)

I prefer my K9 industries (2 Degree Offset) Headset with a normal bearing installation. No stupid ass Gimbals.

[Reply]

deadatbirth (Nov 29, 2011 at 7:41)

my advice on the Angleset is to not get one. headsets like the K9 or Works work 1000x better. i tried for 5 months to get the knocking to stop on my DH bike before i sold it. good riddance. i originally thought it was the gimbals knocking around but its actually the bearings moving in them. thick or thin grease didnt work, nor did anti-seize

[Reply]

bigalscrap (Nov 30, 2011 at 16:13)

i'm scared...i did not even regard the angleset as having any potential for issues...i literally and intuitively slammed it in(hahaha) and it worked all summer on my dh....i don't get it....

[Reply]

oldschoolj Plus (Nov 29, 2011 at 20:27)

funny watching this vid, I had no idea on how to install my Angleset, I winged it, and it worked great, no issues. I guess all those years of common sense paid off. Easiest headset to date. I run C.Kings on all my bikes, this is far easier. Crazy !!!

[Reply]

saruti (Nov 29, 2011 at 0:39)

Missed the most important thingץץץץ
Centralization שמג Assembly of the headset into the head tube...

mikelevy Mod Plus (Nov 29, 2011 at 10:36)

That's actually included in the first movie that is linked in under "Some helpful pointers before you begin: "

[Reply]

nlitworld (Nov 29, 2011 at 8:02)

I purchased a K9 Industries headset for my last bike and was blown away with the difference. I recently sold the bike and now on a standard 1-1/8 headtube, but I kept the headset because I don't want to hassle with ordering another K9 in the future and I won't settle for the jimmy-rigged Cane Creek setup. Thumbs up recommendation for a REAL quality product.

UncleCliffy (Nov 29, 2011 at 10:11)

Just curious, but how are you sure the next bike you get will have the same length head tube as your last one?

mikelevy Mod Plus (Nov 29, 2011 at 10:38)

Good point, Cliffy. The AngleSet might have some installation trickiness to it, but it is independent of head tube length, unlike all of the fixed cup versions out there. One more thing to consider...

nlitworld (Nov 30, 2011 at 12:08)

Well I decided to keep it for a couple reasons. First and most important the bike I had fit right into the middle average of headtube lengths on current 1.5" HT bikes at ~4.7" making it one of the most common angled headset sizes they sell. Secondly, if some day down the road I do decide to get a bike with a 1.5" headtube again and it just happens to be a different size that doesn't work properly with the K9 headset I already have, I would easily be able to sell it and purchase another of the appropriate size. K9 now has a bit better distribution rather than just emailing the company direct like I had to 2 years ago, so purchasing another headset from them in the future will be easier. Sorry if you thought my recommendation for K9 was a bit of a harsh reflection on Cane Creek's product, but I would never trust a design with too many unnecessary parts in it.

[Reply]

grooveninja (Jan 10, 2012 at 16:05)

So if I placed a 1.5 deg backwards on the top cup and another 1.5 deg forwards on the bottom cup, would I slacken the bike 3 degrees? Can you us two angled cups simultaneously?

[Reply]

v8p0r (Nov 29, 2011 at 20:58)

It seems that you can make it work with a tapered fork and a 1.5'' steer tube.

I wonder if it can work with a tapered fork AND a tapered head tube (Trek e2 on a Trek Remedy).

Does anyone know?

mikelevy Mod Plus (Nov 29, 2011 at 21:07)

I happen to have an E2 compatible AngleSet in my dirty paws that I have used with a tapered steerer. Keep in mind that Trek's E2 head tube uses different dimensions than a standard tapered head tube (CC has AngleSets to fit those as well)

schwimble (May 1, 2012 at 11:38)

whats the difference between the trek headtube and everyone elses tapered headtube??

[Reply]

liebrand (Feb 12, 2012 at 12:43)

just thinking out loud here but if one wants a longer travel fork they say it changes your head-angle to much so by using angle-set cups that would be solved ???

[Reply]

Racer951 (Nov 29, 2011 at 3:05)

Or, just buy a Works Components one for less than £70.00 delivered to Canada with the UK VAT gone..... No popping issues or overtightening headsets just to get the thing to work without feeling loose - that would do my friggin head in.

Isnt it over $200 US now for a CC one??!

[Reply]

coolatt (Nov 29, 2011 at 8:23)

+1 for the Works Components headset. I have a 1-1/8 setup and it works perfecty

[Reply]

whattheheel (Nov 29, 2011 at 9:44)

MMM I must be lucky cuz mine has been no probs. Weird.

[Reply]

shishka (Nov 29, 2011 at 22:48)

Cane creek rules headtubes. chris king can go back to sleep

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bebemonk4ever (Nov 29, 2011 at 16:28)

most complikated headset i had ever seen in my hole life looool

[Reply]

dirtydroog (Nov 29, 2011 at 12:35)

Gimball!

Seems like a lot of hassle really. Surprised you don't need a headset press.

deadatbirth (Nov 29, 2011 at 13:14)

u still need a headset press to press the cups in.

dirtydroog (Nov 29, 2011 at 14:32)

YEs, just watched the 1st video

[Reply]

GermanyFreeride (Nov 29, 2011 at 6:25)

nice

[Reply]