EB14: Token Introduces World’s Lightest Headset, New Carbon Wheels & Lots More!

Token’s new Featherweight headsets claim to be the lightest headsets “with balls”, so we threw them on the scale to see. The “balls” reference refers to the sealed cartridge bearings used in lieu of bushings, which is what Cane Creek uses in their Aer headset.

Not only are they light, but they come with various options to fit both straight and tapered steerers and include their new ultralight top cap/star nut. Shown above are the 44mm headtube version in the foreground and a standard tapered set up in the back. The large sleeve in the middle is purely for display, keeping everything stacked nicely in the retail packaging.

All of the parts are machined from 7075 alloy and Token says they’ve tested it exhaustively with 45kg of back and forth tugging while weighted with 116kg of load for 110,000 cycles with zero failures. How light are they?

The model for the 44mm headtube comes in at just 66g, and the tapered model is 89g. That’s including the top cap and bolt. The tapered version comes with two crown races, one for tapered forks and one for straight forks that adapts them to a tapered headset.

If you’re not ready to swap the entire headset, you can get their new alloy Arsenal headset caps. They’re made from 6061 alloy, with the top caps being machined then sand blasted then polished. The standard star nut model weighs in at just 12g for everything, and the expansion plug version for use with carbon steerer tubes hits the scales at a claimed 31.5g.

New pressfit bottom bracket adapters convert your BB30/PF30 or BB386 setup to accommodate Shimano and SRAM GXP cranksets.

If your bike’s set up with a standard threaded BB, their new Triple 8 Compact bottom bracket has low profile cups and fits Shimano cranksets as is but includes a GXP adapter. Weight is 68g, rated for road and cyclocross only.

Token introduced their trident-profile Hero aero wheels last year with an alloy brake track above its carbon fairing. Now, they’ve got a full carbon model that shaves 109g off the set to come in at a claimed 1,630g (747g front, 883g rear – without rim tape).

The rim shape is 45mm deep and 25mm wide (18 internal) with hidden nipples. The shape flares to a rounded ridge before angling sharply inward to a point. Token says this pushes the air out a bit, sending it away from the spokes.

They roll on their Hero hubset laced 20/24. Bearing options include their TBT (Tiramic Bearing Technology = titanium coated race with ceramic balls) or standard bearings.

Their Duplex freehub body works for both Shimano/SRAM and Campagnolo simultaneously and comes with your choice of standard or TBT bearings.

The pulley wheels get new bearing covers that say Campy, SRAM or Shimano on them for that little detail to tie it all together. Choice of standard sealed cartridge bearings or TBT here, too.

Their Vigilante thru axle skewers are now available with the parts to fit any axle system. The standard model threads into Rockshox’s Maxle ends and includes a Shimano e-thru end cap. Or, swap the threaded bit via the small bolt on the end and use the smaller gray end cap and it works with Syntace systems.

Lastly, they’ve got new alloy tubeless valve stems with removable valve core and alloy caps.

TokenCycling.com