Greg S
Well-Known Member
Glad you're sticking with this as I'm curious as to the outcome - hope it works!
Results of installing a Viscoset headset in an S40
- Thread starter SageRider
- Start date
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
Confirmed, the viscoset ZS56/40/H8 works on the V20C, and since it's under the headset, you get a straight 1/4" lift on your seat and handlebars. I can confirm you can roll it around just by hanging onto the headrest without the front wheel flopping around. I have mine tuned to maximum friction, and it's stiff but smooth. Sadly, it may be another month before I get to properly test it on the road at high speed because it seems like FedEx has lost my Thor seat but won't own up to it. Once I do get my Thor seat, I'll be sure to take it down Mt. Baldy road where I'm typically between 50-60 mph and the road has those damn horizontal cracks that bounce you up into the air mid corner. If I gain any stability or confidence on that DH, I'll consider it a huge win.
For anyone who does install a viscoset, reserve your opinion until you've ridden it 100 miles. Even riding it down the block and back, I can tell it's throwing off my muscle memory for steering inputs, similar to when you change from a 100mm stem to a 60mm stem on an mtb. Most riders will say the 60mm is more twitchy, but in fact, it's just the rider's muscle memory giving too much input. Once you adapt, it just becomes your new normal.
This product requires advanced mechanical skill and special tools to install. If you're running disc brake hoses through the internal routing of the headset, you'll need to cut and install a new barb and olive when you install and everything you want to adjust the tune. Its for this reason I image most are not going to be willing to try more then whatever tune they originally try. If you are dead set on experimenting, I suggest routing your lines outside the frame during your testing faze abd once your set, route everything back inside.
For anyone who does install a viscoset, reserve your opinion until you've ridden it 100 miles. Even riding it down the block and back, I can tell it's throwing off my muscle memory for steering inputs, similar to when you change from a 100mm stem to a 60mm stem on an mtb. Most riders will say the 60mm is more twitchy, but in fact, it's just the rider's muscle memory giving too much input. Once you adapt, it just becomes your new normal.
This product requires advanced mechanical skill and special tools to install. If you're running disc brake hoses through the internal routing of the headset, you'll need to cut and install a new barb and olive when you install and everything you want to adjust the tune. Its for this reason I image most are not going to be willing to try more then whatever tune they originally try. If you are dead set on experimenting, I suggest routing your lines outside the frame during your testing faze abd once your set, route everything back inside.
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Greg S
Well-Known Member
Greg S
Well-Known Member
I'm a bit confused (normal for me) looking at the Cane Creek web site for the viscoset. Did you order and install both the top and bottom parts or just the top and reuse the existing bottom bearing? The headset code on the page I linked is "ZS56/40" which from your description I would assume is the 56mm top cup/bearing and 40mm bottom but the photos only show the top piece.
Here is what I think is the relevant headset code from the Cane Creek site:
Also, the part I linked has a different part # than the one you showed in your second picture: BA2137K vs your BA2188K.
Don't want to play order/return if I don't need to.
Here is what I think is the relevant headset code from the Cane Creek site:
Also, the part I linked has a different part # than the one you showed in your second picture: BA2137K vs your BA2188K.
Don't want to play order/return if I don't need to.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
I'm not sure why the BBA # is different, maybe something to due with the setup of the tune. I ordered from Amazon because I wanted it now, and not in a week, so if you just want to order from the same link, here you go.
The Cane Creek website shows the "BAA2188K – ZS56 – Bottom" part number as the 56mm bottom bracket option. It appears that is the one shown installed in the photo.
I plan to order and install one after I learn of RojoRacing opinions on the feel of the new bearing.
Greg S
Well-Known Member
Hmm... I don't see that as an option. I do see what I posted an image of above (ZS56/40 - Bottom - Mid Tune - BAA2137K) but not BA2188K. Care to post a direct link to that option?
Doesn't really matter though, I used the link @RojoRacing provided and ordered from Amazon. Just curious as to why I don't see that option.
It's at the bottom of page under the specifications. The web site is pretty poorly organized for ordering.
Greg S
Well-Known Member
One follow up question (I asked before but forgot about it) for @RojoRacing: did you install both the upper and lower headsets or just the lower? The Amazon link above is only for the lower so I assume that's all you installed - correct?
Mine came today (just the lower), will install when the o-rings arrive.
Mine came today (just the lower), will install when the o-rings arrive.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
Yes you just need to lower.
I tried the top first and that how we learned it doesnt fit and you only need the lower.
Are you doing the work yourself or giving it to a shop?
I tried the top first and that how we learned it doesnt fit and you only need the lower.
Are you doing the work yourself or giving it to a shop?
Greg S
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I thought that was the case but thought it'd be better to confirm. I hate being in the middle of something and finding out I need something to finish the job.
I do all my own bike work. Always have.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
If you stumble into anything that seems odd feel from to ask, and I'll help out best I can. Now that I have the seals all dialed in I'm going to route my brake line outside the fork temporarlity so I'm more tempted to play around with the tunning of the friction over the first month of riding. I'll cut the brake hose one last time after my tunning is complete and I'm having with my boom and handlebar settings. Sadly it'll probably be another month before I ride this thing because of the lost Thor seat. I've been building this bike for 4 months now and I've still only ridden it 1 mile
Greg S
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Looks pretty straightforward. I’ve built dozens of bikes over the years and have all the tools but never hesitate to ask if there’s something that looks weird. One of my personal guidelines is “if something that’s supposed to be easy is hard, you’re doing it wrong”. That almost always pays off because it causes me to stop and think rather than plowing ahead.If you stumble into anything that seems odd feel from to ask, and I'll help out best I can. Now that I have the seals all dialed in I'm going to route my brake line outside the fork temporarlity so I'm more tempted to play around with the tunning of the friction over the first month of riding. I'll cut the brake hose one last time after my tunning is complete and I'm having with my boom and handlebar settings. Sadly it'll probably be another month before I ride this thing because of the lost Thor seat. I've been building this bike for 4 months now and I've still only ridden it 1 mile
i feel your pain waiting for the seat. As it happens, I’m building up another bike as we speak and I’m also waiting on a seat and a couple of other parts (a cassette) and as I said, I really hate starting a build and having to stop in the middle.
When I built up my V20c I encountered the same thing. None of the 5 bottom bracket tools I own was the correct one for the BB on the V20c. Really painful to have to wait for the tool. I’m in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin so a quick trip to the “local” bike shop would mean a 150 mile round trip - minimum - and for the most part I wouldn’t trust a bike shop to work on any of my bikes. I’ve always done my own work because then I’m certain of how well the job was done. That means that if there’s something I need it’s almost always going to be the case that I order it online and deal with the consequent delay.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
I know Greg and I, mostly I, have derailed this thread with our V20C discussion. For anyone who followed along and is interested in adding a Viscoset to their V20C you may want to wait just a little bit. It works but their are a few technicalities that you must address along with a few added purchases to ensure it works right and stays working long term. Greg or I have done quite a bit of work not shared here yet, but we will post a full review in a seperate thread in the near future, after one of use puts some proper miles on it and can ensure we don't lead other astray. I'm still waiting for my damn seat and Greg lives somewhere where it's not 70 degs through the winter.
Thanks for all your efforts I'm watching with interest. Planning on doing the conversion after I hear your results. Planning to have the local shop do it as they helped with my build and I don't want to buy more 1 use tools.
