Cane Creek AER Headset Upper: Rider Review

Our "Rider Review" article series features honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

Sometimes the small components make all the difference in the world. One of those quality parts is the headset which is integral for smooth operation while taking abuse. Our friend Christopher shares his experience with the Cane Creek AER Headset Upper - ZS44/28.6/H8. Check it out!

Overview

The Cane Creek AER Headset Upper - ZS44/28.6/H8 headset is a very lightweight high-quality alternative to high priced exotic options out there. I estimate you can save between 30-40 grams over other standard headsets and Cane Creek claims that it is not at a sacrifice to durability. Some people would even consider this is in the category of "hidden grams" on your bike. The top cap and bolt alone weigh in at 8 grams and this is on par with very expensive European aftermarket companies and even KCNC from Taiwan. These aftermarket companies charge a premium to be at the same weight as this one! The aluminum preload bolt is a third of the weight of a standard steel bolt.

Cane Creek states that they are able to bring the weight down by having a hybrid steel and aluminum bearing that provides even greater durability and a claimed 40% weight savings over comparable models. Furthermore, they state through heavy machining and precision contours add to the weight loss to strike a good balance between strength and weight savings. The AER headset is fully compatible with Cane Creeks 40 and 110 series headsets. Spare parts are readily available at Worldwide Cyclery and most neighborhood shops or you can just go right online and order directly from Cane Creek which makes service and replacement a simple task if ever needed.

The AER headset is not as well-known compared to the 110 and the 40 however, I have personally used the Cane Creek 110 and the 40 in the past and to be honest, I can’t tell the difference between this one and the 40 or even the 110. Just as smooth and there is no play whatsoever as you would expect from Cane Creek. I have this headset on my Ibis Ripley V4, a Yeti SB4.5 (I have since sold) and I like it so much I even have it on my Evil Following V3 for the headset top over the standard one that comes with the frame I bought! Brings a little more bling as well! Unfortunately, Cane Creek does not make the headset bottom in the Evil Bike non-standard 62mm size.

Final Thoughts

Installation is just as easy as their other headsets and as far as cost, this headset is less money than the 110 and little more expensive than the 40 so it was a win for me! It has been over a year now on my Ripley V4 with no issues and on the Yeti SB4.5 that I sold it was still going strong after 2 years of use. You do not need to be a weight weenie to use the headset and the best part of all, it is made here in the USA!