2012 Xizang

[The Ken]

The bend is a result of the CEN standards, what it prevents/protects against I'm unsure. 26er might be different. The head tube looks like it is becoming the norm, seen loads of bikes coming with it now, I'm not a fan myself.

 

[clockworkgazz]

so what is the benefit of the larger diameter headset at the bottom? More surface area for crud to get in and shorten the life of the headset?

 

[The Ken]

lower bearing takes more impact stress than the top bearing i presume. But as I have only needed to use 2 headsets in the last 20 years you could be right.

 

[T'boo Ted]

I get the concept of the headset... but is it really necessary? my 1st bike with a 1in hs, i went through maybe 3 sets of bearings, other than that for 6 bikes used in that time (20 years, have replaced 1 headset...

Din't Specialised invent the tapered HS, so that peopel would have to use their proprietary fork? I guess its a good thing for the bike industry, you can't use a fork you already own...

I see the current zaskar uses the same headtube...

 

[merckx]

most new bikes are going for tapered steerers. even road bikes. it also gives a bigger surface area to connect the down tube into. result, stiffer front end on the frame, which is a good thing

 

[Rampage]

More bearings/bigger area spreads the load better.
I think a headset is the only bike part I've never broken. Now everything has suspension forks it's even less likely to get broken!
I always wonder why people will pay £100 for a CK!

 

[clockworkgazz]

because they are smooth as butter and should last a lifetime

 

[brusque]

For my shop, I have buy four 29 GT TI 2012 :
- 2 size M
- 2 size L

 

[The Ken]

Any chance you could post the dimensions Brusque (when you get them) I'm especially interested in the medium.

 

[dyna-ti]

I always wonder why people will pay £100 for a CK!

Maybe because it runs great despite years of abuse and holds its value pretty well. :?