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So, I have a 26" FS frame which I haven't used for a while, and I'm thinking about getting it up and running again.
However, it's always had quite a steep head angle, even by the standards of the early 00's (Intense 6.6). I sort of combated that by running the forks at their maximum travel (170mm) but it gave that 'floppy' feeling.
I've seen references to anglesets, which I assume have an offset bore so the forks are angled back - is that right? Other than 'slacking' the fork angle, do they have any other effect on the frame? It seems to me that they would also lower the BB - is that right?
They will lower the BB a touch and steepen the seat angle a touch too. I believe they work by having one side of the cups deeper than the other so that the fork steerer effectively sits between them at a different angle, hence the need to line them up properly.
Yep, that's about right. They drop the BB slightly and also relax the seat-tube angle slightly. I used a Works Components one for a while and my main problem with it was that the bearings seemed quite poorly protected and seized up too easily. This was ages ago though, so things may have improved by now.
your understanding is correct, however the size if the head tube will dictate, what, if anything, you can fit. if you've got a 1 1/8 straight steerer head tube i'm not sure there are any commonly available - thought works components used to do a 1 degree one, but looking at their website there's nothing listed
steepen the seat angle a touch too
also relax the seat-tube angle slightly
I'd have thought steepen - is that right?
And does the slacker front end effectively reduce the reach? It always felt a little like you were perched on the bike, rather than in the bike, and a reduced reach may not be a good idea...
f you’ve got a 1 1/8 straight steerer head tube i’m not sure there are any commonly available
It was odd at the time, but it had a 1.5" straight steerer tube - I currently have a reducer headset in there but I could run a tapered steerer fork or even a 1.5" straight steerer fork in there with no problems. Would that work with an angleset though?
You're putting the front wheel further out in front and, assuming the same length forks, you'll steepen the seat tube angle. Reach will be a little more complicated to work out, but in all honesty we're likely to be talking a few mm as you'll extend the reach by tipping forward, but then bring it back again by slackening the steerer tube angle (again, assuming you have some spacers under the stem).
1.5 steerer will give you plenty of options - check Works Components.
There is superstar components too but it am having trouble working them out as I seem to have a long steer tube as it's a zero stack and outside their range.
Bear in mind you can also use offset bushings to get another degree.
The reach doesn’t change because the rearward offset of the top cup is cancelled out by the frame rotating down and forwards, lowering the BB and steepening the seat tube.
I'm just waiting for a works angleset to be delivered. you can use this site to work out geometry changes...
I'm going taller in fork, but fitting a 1.5 angleset negates most of the unwanted change in BB height and seat tube angle, while knocking a total of 2 degrees off my hta.
you can use this site to work out geometry changes…
Ooh, that's very helpful, thanks.
offset bushes are cheaper and easier to fit. you can always add an angleset if you want it moorer
offset bushes also take away your sta though. I'm starting at 74.8 and finishing at 74.29. Using offset bushes I'd be down to 72 sta for the same hta. if we use @10mm per degree for saddle rail adjustment, that would be stretching it.
I think. I'm no expert.
I’d have thought steepen – is that right?
Yes, sorry, I blame long haul covid brain fog 🙁
offset bushes also take away your sta though.
likewise no expert, but it basically increases your sag (without increasing sag - kinda), tipping the saddle forward and the HA back, no?
My understanding is that it has the effect of compressing your shock, which will slacken the STA. I'm not sure whether it would be the same as the change for the HTA but worked on that assumption. I found lots of anecdotal posts on other forums stating this and they sounded cleverer than me 😀
Offset bushes are like running more sag, or more accurately a shock with a shorter eye to eye length.
Anglesets are almost like having a new frame - the head angle change is massive, like jumping a few model years whilst also gaining a more subtle modernisation of a steeper seat angle and lower bottom bracket.
I found [url= https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/which-1-1-8-ec34-angle-set-slackset-headset/ ]this[/url] thread from last year, from a quick search I think the guy in question is possibly [url= https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2185738/ ]this dude[/url] from Italy but @wzzzz would need to confirm.
Thats him, I never bought one though I flogged the bike.
Best thing I ever did (cycling wise...) was flog my 26er Turner flux by parts last year for just over £1000, then buy my ex-demo 2018 Marin 29er for £1600.
Its not as boutique but its just leagues ahead in competence everywhere once I got used to the length and wagon wheels.
My advice is to flog it now, and then buy a new bike when 2021 stock comes in / inevitably gets discounted when they realise the cycling boom is short lived and they all have too much stock.
@wzzzz My angleset is going on a 2018 marin 29er! with some bomber z2's @130mm. should end up with 65 HTA and near enough the STA it has now. Got some 4 pot calipers and a suntour triair shock too, going to throw them all on at the same time to guarantee a mechanical on the 1st ride 😀
My advice is to flog it now, and then buy a new bike when 2021 stock comes in / inevitably gets discounted when they realise the cycling boom is short lived and they all have too much stock
How is that helpful? Not everyone can drop £000's on a new bike when they want to, so I'm looking to make the best of what I have.
@wzzzz My angleset is going on a 2018 marin 29er! with some bomber z2’s @130mm. should end up with 65 HTA and near enough the STA it has now. Got some 4 pot calipers and a suntour triair shock too, going to throw them all on at the same time to guarantee a mechanical on the 1st ride 😀
Let me know what you think. I raised the pikes to 150mm from 130 and was thinking about 1.5 degree angleset. But then my reach ain't getting any longer. Everything works as a system and slacker really needs to go alongside longer IMO
Might get one or might put the £60 towards new bike next year fund.
I did pike @140mm but front was too tall, bb too high, too wandery. It felt a better bike putting a 120 spring back in, but I have a couple of rocky descents that are just a chore on it. Hopefully this will make them at least enjoyable if relatively slow.
My reach on this will decrease by @4mm, and I have a few stems to try if that's an issue.