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Turbo Monkey
Feb 29, 2008
2,465
2
East Coast
:eek: :D :rant: :rofl:


Headset Manufacturers Partner in Development of Fitment System

November 9, 2010 – To address the changing landscape of bicycle headsets, a group of leading headset manufacturers have collaborated to develop a standardized “language” for headset fitment. The new Standardized Headset Identification System (S.H.I.S.) creates a common language for describing modern bicycle headsets. The system provides comprehensive and scalable headset fitment information in a standard format; making it easier to communicate headset requirements based on frame and fork interfaces.

“As a bicycle manufacturer I have participated in many conversations with customers who are struggling to understand modern headset fitment,” says Michael Bonney of Orange Mountain Bikes. “During Eurobike and Interbike I suggested to a couple of headset makers that a universal system for talking about headsets was needed, and I’m excited to see it happening.”

The Standardized Headset Identification System (S.H.I.S.) incorporates the four critical interface dimensions required to fit a fork to a frame, as well as explicitly noting bearing location/cup type.

The group of companies leading the development of the new headset naming system include: Acros, Cane Creek, Hope, Race Face, Reset and Ritchey. Each of the participants has committed to integrate the Standardized Headset Identification System into their respective businesses over the course of the next year and encourage additional headset manufacturers to follow. Select bicycle parts distributors will have partial integration of the S.H.I.S. in their 2011 catalogs with further inclusion throughout the year. On the bicycle manufacturing level, several early adopters will begin using the system on their new model-year bikes.

“Headset standards were getting a bit out of control and the nomenclature to keep it all together was unraveling,” says Steve Domahidy, co-owner of Niner Bikes. “It was becoming difficult to talk to customers about headsets and help them understand, so this system takes out the guesswork and makes it as easy as it can be to insure that everybody’s speaking the same language.”

To learn more about system methodology and to view specific examples and illustrations, please download the complete S.H.I.S. overview. Or contact one of the participating headset manufacturers listed above. A collaborative website, BicycleHeadsets.com, is under development and will explain in detail the Standardized Headset Identification System complete with examples and drawings. BicyleHeadsets.com will be available by the end of November.
 

Inclag

Turbo Monkey
Sep 9, 2001
2,750
439
MA
In other recent developments, I have developed an industry wide methodology of applying an acronym to a product.

It is known as B.I.S.S.F.T.C.A.A.O.P.A , which is short for - Bicycle Industry Standardization System For The Creation And Application Of Product Acronyms. Companies that follow this methodology will have a guaranteed higher return in sales, improved marketability, and will provide validation necessary to increase prices.

Information for this standard is available online here
 

DHRracer

Monkey
Sep 29, 2004
371
0
I think we should call it. W.E.N.E.E.D.T.O.S.E.L.L.M.O.R.E.P.R.O.D.U.C.T.S.O.L.E.T.S.C.H.A.N.G.E.S.O.M.E.T.H.I.N.G.A.N.D.C.L.A.I.M.I.T.S.B.E.T.T.E.R.
 
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w00dy

In heaven there is no beer
Jun 18, 2004
3,417
51
that's why we drink it here
In other recent developments, I have developed an industry wide methodology of applying an acronym to a product.

It is known as B.I.S.S.F.T.C.A.A.O.P.A , which is short for - Bicycle Industry Standardization System For The Creation And Application Of Product Acronyms. Companies that follow this methodology will have a guaranteed higher return in sales, improved marketability, and will provide validation necessary to increase prices.

Information for this standard is available online here
:rofl: Must spread...

Also, who the hell is Acros?
 

captainspauldin

intrigued by a pole
May 14, 2007
1,263
177
Jersey Shore
I agree that it was harder than one would think to order a headset for my full 1.5" head tube bike to run a tapered fork, but I don't think we need to make it more confusing/annoying..
 

zdubyadubya

Turbo Monkey
Apr 13, 2008
1,273
96
Ellicott City, MD
oooorrrrr.... just call cane creek.

even if I wasn't buying from them at the moment, they still gladly guided me towards the correct headset that would work for me. and then cuz they were so helpful, I bought one. :D
 

Huck Banzai

Turbo Monkey
May 8, 2005
2,523
23
Transitory
Nomenclature in the standard is way more confusing than the current references. If you dont know what you're looking for, this wont help you; leave it to someone with a clue.
 

eatmyshorts

Monkey
Jun 18, 2010
110
0
South OZ
All we need now is standards for everything else. :D

SHIS that wont work as someone will come up with another propriety standard that will evolve to be common, while 10 others standards will fade into oblivion...

However I do agree headset specs need to be a bit clearer... I am not sure how much the average rider is aware of how many headset standards and sizes there are...

I think it is important to have some clarity so people can actually source the correct bearings/headsets..

When I was working in shops, the amount of times I had reducers custom made for customers so they could ride some obscure klien or something.. and back then there was only 1" 1/1/8 1 1/4 and just 1.5.. Think what it is going to be like in another 5 years with the current plentiful standards kicking around.. add to that BB, rear axel spacing etc

I guess one of the side effects of having sooo many standards it will ensure most people will go back to shopping at their LBS to get it right..