Return of the 1″ Threaded Headset: Wilde x Cane Creek, Rene Herse Launch Premium Models

While the majority of the industry seems intensely focused on marginal gains at any cost, a few brands are keeping it classic – and classy. Following the recent announcement of a new line of 1″ threaded headsets from Rene Herse, Wilde Bicycle Co. today launches another 1″ threaded option manufactured by Cane Creek.

Cane Creek 110 ZN 1″ Threaded Headset

Calling it a Wilde exclusive, the new Cane Creek 110 ZN headset uses their top of the line 110 cups, with ZN40 sealed cartridge bearings. Offered in black or silver, the headset will sell for $120. Wilde is preselling them now, with the product expected to ship in late October. There’s no guarantee that these will be made in more than one batch, so if you want one, you probably should pre-order one.

Specs

• Fork type: 1″ English threaded
• Stack height: 41mm
• S.H.I.S. Upper: EC30 / 25.4-24tpi
• S.H.I.S. Lower: EC30 
• Crown Race: ISO (26.4mm)
• Machined from 7075 series aluminum
• ZN40 Sealed Cartridge Bearings
• Weight: 91g

Rene Herse 1″ Threaded Headsets

Wilde Bicycle Co. and Rene Herse had similar reasoning for launching a premium 1″ threaded headset – there simply weren’t many options. Suddenly, we have three different premium options including the Rene Herse Rinko and Low-Stack headsets. Rene Herse takes that a step further though by creating two new premium headset models with needle bearings instead of the standard cartridge bearings.

Both are premium 1″ threaded headsets utilizing durable needle bearings with circlip retainers to keep the bearings in place when you remove the fork. An interesting detail is that the Rene Herse headsets are not anodized, meaning they conduct electricity. That’s apparently a key detail when using your frame/fork as the return path for your generator lighting system. I learned something new today.

For those that need a lower stack height, the appropriately named Low-Stack version is offered for $189. Otherwise, the Rinko is sold for $209.

Low-Stack Specs

• Weight: 96 g
• For 1″ steerer tubes
• British threading
• Stack height: 14.3 mm (lower) + 23.7 mm (upper) = 38.0 mm (total)
• Needle bearings
• Upper and lower bearings oriented in parallel to reduce stack height
• Use 32 mm headset wrenches to tighten
• Not anodized (conducts electricity)
• Made in Taiwan

Rinko Specs

• Weight: 119 g
• For 1″ steerer tubes
• British threading
• Stack height: 16.9 mm (lower) + 29.8 mm (upper) = 46.7 mm (total)
• Needle bearings
• Circlip retainers keep the bearings in place when the fork is removed from the frame.
• Use 32 mm headset wrenches to tighten
• Not anodized (conducts electricity)
• Made in Taiwan

Both are available now from Renehersecycles.com.