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Angle Headset on a 303 RDH?

djjohnr

djjohnr

Turbo Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
3,017
1,719
Northern California
Has anyone slackened out their 303 RDH with an angle headset? I'm looking to increase the front to center on my bike to give myself a little more room to work with and a new frame isn't in the cards this year. Works Components makes a 1 degree that will fit my 09 frame. Has anyone on here done this? Result?
 
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daisycutter

daisycutter

Turbo Monkey
Apr 8, 2006
1,660
129
New York City
It was a one degree difference so it was subtle. What it did is keep me closer to my glory 2011 angles so it wasn't as big a transition to go between them.
 
djjohnr

djjohnr

Turbo Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
3,017
1,719
Northern California
Lelandjt said:
It's not gonna do what you want it to do. A longer stem would accomplish that.
Click to expand...
The limiting factor is how close I can get to the front hub, actual cockpit length is live-able (I tried a longer stem, didn't like it). Fundamentally I'd like a bike with slightly longer reach and front to center. I can weight the front wheel just fine, I just wish I could stretch out a little more.
 
E

EVIL JN

Monkey
Jul 24, 2009
491
24
In the slack position the bars will come even closer, just so you know, not a great deal but still. Wider bars would be the only option besides a longer stem that could make the cockpit feel longer. You probably could put in a couple -2 cups in the same orientation so that you keep your current angle but move the steerer a few mm forward.
 
4130biker

4130biker

PM me about Tantrum Cycles!
May 24, 2007
3,884
450
I think offset reducer cups might be more what you're looking for, but I don't think they're made for 1-1/8" or tapered headtubes. Unless you plan to steepen the bike with those cups, I think lelandjt is right, making your bike more slack will shorten your cockpit.
Unless I am misunderstanding what youre looking for...
Perhaps lowering your bar height could stretch you out a bit, and maybe combined with a 55mm stem so an increase isn't drastic.
 
djjohnr

djjohnr

Turbo Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
3,017
1,719
Northern California
I'm not worried about the cockpit, I just want my hub out farther in front of me. I physically have room to stretch more, but I'd be putting too much weight over the front. I'll get about a 9mm increase in front-center by using a -1 degree angle headset (Works Components makes one for traditional 1 1/8 headsets, 1 degree only). I'm wondering a if ~1/3 of an inch increase in front to center will be noticeable in the grand scheme of things.

The amount of rear movement of your handlebars should be minimal with the angle change. If you assume 2" of steerer between your top cup and your bar (extreme, I don't have a bike near me but 1" is more likely) you'd be looking at .79mm of rearward movement going from a 64 to 63 degree head angle.

If you look at what Yeti's done to their DH bike geometry since 09, they've slackened the front end slightly and lengthened the TT and chainstay a tiny bit. This should let you get more aggressive with the front end. I'm trying to achieve something similar without buying a new frame.

09 303 RDH WB/CS/HA - 45.7/17.3/64
12 303 WC - 46.4/17.5/63.5

Really, I'm just trying to spend some Christmas money and everything else is pretty dialed :D
 
E

EVIL JN

Monkey
Jul 24, 2009
491
24
It will not just be the added length in front center that will make a difference in handling, the slacker ha will also change the handling. However i dubt 9mm and +/-1 degree will make that much of a difference, but it will do some at least.
 
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