Did shimano make a m740xt in aheadset?

[Will78]

Hi there
HELP !!!i have a m740 xt headset but it’s aheadset
I can’t find any information about it nor can I find another like it .
We’re they ever mass produced and can you change the bearings on them ?
Thankyou in advance.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

I don't think shimano made one, but I do recall some aftermarket top cup available to replace the threaded bits. Can't recall who it was, perhaps m-part or the like?

As for replacement bearings, I had an lx headset a while ago and was looking for some. Didn't come up with much but I think i got some from this here site.

 

[wesmamyke]

Someone was also certainly modifying the top assembly to accept a threadless compression ring. We have one around the shop with the threads removed, it has what appears to be a Dia-compe split/compressong ring.

 

[Will78]

Re:

Thanks for the comments guys,

 

[malt]

We used to file the threads out of an M737 and use them as an a-headset, they were better quality than most other options at the time.

 

[hamster]

There was a very short-lived Shimano design that was a threaded headset with a tapered wedge (suspiciously like Ahead) between the lockring and the race. I have it in Deore LX, not seen one in XT.

But definitely Shimano refused to license the Ahead patent from Dia-Compe. Raleigh M-Part made a special converter for XT, which many used (including continental pro road teams).