Review: Cane Creek 100 Headset

For 2009, Cane Creek Cycling Components introduced a new headset to compliment the growing popularity of their very successful Cane Creek 110. The Cane Creek 100 comes in at a lower price point (75 – 85 bones depending on where you look) but brings a high quality unit that you would expect out of premium headsets. The lower price in comparison with the 110 is brought by using a little bit different materials and not having that far out bling that has made the 110 famous. So…does this Cane Creek 100 headset stack up to the competition at this lower price point? Let’s take a look and see if the 100 can compete with the 110 and Chris King headsets…

Note: For those of you that do not already know…Cane Creek actually holds the patent that Chris King, FSA and the other headset manufacturers use to build their headsets.

From CaneCreek.com:

Cane Creek 100 Headset Stock PhotoWe created the 100 headset as a more cost-efficient execution of the 110’s industry-leading design. So while the 100 emulates the intelligent configuration of the 110’s cups, bearings and compression ring, it does so with less costly materials and finishing.

The result is a headset that delivers on the promise of superior performance and durability and can stand with any other headset manufacturer’s best.

  • Captured Compression Ring
  • Split-Lip Bearing
  • Friction-Minimizing Face Seals
  • High-Strength Materials
  • Scalloped Interlok Spacers
  • Industrial, Minimalist Finish

The Cane Creek 100 Headset – Install

Cane Creek 100 Headset

Cane Creek 100 Headset

Installation with the Cane Creek 100 headset is as straight forward as any other headset on the market. Cane Creek provided me with the necessary install cups that mate up with headset install tools, but…if you are careful with the pressing process, they are not necessary. The Cane Creek 100’s bearings are not pressed into the cups. During the installation process, you remove the bearings and install them during the assembly process. While you are probably going to be used to pressed in bearings, this did end up being a nice feature during install as you are not pressing directly on the bearings when you install the headset. I have never had an issue with damaging bearings on a King or 110, but the piece of mind knowing that I was not applying excessive pressure on the bearings was nice.

As you insert the steerer tube and assemble the rest of the front end, the loose bearings to create one more extra step…but honestly…it is not that big of a deal and something I am already used to with integrated headset designs on carbon bikes. With cartridge bearings, it is not like the old days of roller bearings with grease all over the place.

As you put together any of the Cane Creek headsets, you will notice that the spacers actually click together into one unit. This makes for easy install as you are only, technically, dealing with one other part to put together. For the riders that use a lot of spacers, this is a nice feature as you do not have multiple rings hitting your garage floor and rolling all over the place as you attempt to get everything together.

After a couple turns of the torque wrench, everything was in, lined up and ready to ride.

Cane Creek 100 Headset – On the Trail

Cane Creek 100 Headset

Cane Creek 100 Headset

The headset on a mountain bike is an interesting component. Ideally, you want to never even realize it is there. The only time you actually notice a headset while you are riding is when it is not working correctly. Either your steering feels like there is resistance or there is an annoying creaking sound due to to loose or out of round cups/head tube.

During all of my riding with the Cane Creek 100 headset, I never even knew it was there. There was no creaking, the cups didn’t slip and I didn’t have to make a single adjustment. The headset just worked and allowed me to steer my mountain bikes through singletrack without worrying or annoying me. While other components on the bike provide instant feedback as you hit obstacles and trail features, the CC 100 just did its job and did it quietly. That is exactly what I want out of a headset.

Honestly…I wish I had more to say! But the reality is that there isn’t too much to critique on a headset that works. A headset that doesn’t on the other hand…is a completely different story…

Overall Thoughts On The Cane Creek 100 Headset

Cane Creek 100 Compression Ring

Cane Creek 100 Compression Ring

For the price, this headset from Cane Creek is hard to beat. There will be those riders who will think the headset is a lower grade due to the loose bearings, but the cartridge bearings are very high quality…they just aren’t pressed into the cups. This makes for easier replacement (even though I have never had the need to replace bearings in any of my King’s or CC 110’s), but it also allows for more tolerance if your head tube is not absolutely perfect. In talking with the engineers over at Cane Creek, they are seeing a small percentage of issues with pressed in bearings and out of tolerance head tubes on some mass produced bikes. While I have never run into this issue personally, I can see how head tubes that have no been reamed out can cause a problem with bearings.

For those of you that are looking to add more color to your rigs, the Cane Creek 100 is probably not what you are looking for. With the headset only available in silver and black (and not polished with any logos), the Cane Creek 110 or Chris King will probably be a better match for your needs. I actually really like the 100’s industrial look as it matches the blacked out look I was going for on my 5.Spot build. It is actually staying on instead of the black 110 that I put on the bike originally.

If you are looking for a high quality headset at a more affordable price and you do not need flashy colors…the Cane Creek 100 headset is exactly what you are looking for.

The Positives – Cane Creek 100

  • Incredible value for a high quality, premium headset
  • Removable bearings aren’t pressed during install
  • Didn’t notice it on the trail – Smooth steering and quiet operation
  • High quality construction and machining

The Negatives -Cane Creek 100

  • Removable bearings might put off some riders
  • Only available in black and silver

Where to Buy A Cane Creek 100

For the lowest price on the Cane Creek 100…click here.

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