I got this 2018 Kona process 153 for a really good trade deal with a little over 700 dollars into the bike total. It been upgraded to a 170 mm fox 38, coming from a 160 mm lyrik. It has fairly modern geometry, it’s decently long, has a pretty modern reach at 475 mm (size large). But it has a 66 degree head tube angle (with the 160 mm fork ). It’s carbon fiber so I’m a bit worried about over stressing the headtube with an angle kit. Should I angle it or not?
by Constant_One1599
5 Comments
stress will be fine. you sure you have enough extra steerer? in most cup sizes, an angleset means moving to external bearing which will add to stack height and require more steerer tube. can somewhat compensate with a low stack stem.
This is exactly what anglesets were made for! Grab a 2 or 1.5 degree (which will also help out what I’m assuming is a relatively slack seat tube angle) and send it.
Between my personal bikes, wife’s bike and my kids bikes, I’ve used close to 10 anglesets by now.
I’ve always used the Works Components angle sets and never had an issue with any of them.
So, only issue for you is that is doesn’t look like you have no or just a small spacer under your stem? And none above. If you want to use a 1.5 or 2 degree angle set, the top cup is “EC” or “External”, which means it adds 10mm below your stem. I’m not sure you have the steerer tube length on your fork to accommodate that. So do some measuring to make sure it’ll work.
Worst case scenario is that you can get a 1 degree in a full “zero stack” or “ZS” configuration. Taking you from 66 to 65 would still make a noticeable difference.
Wolftooth also make a 1 degree zero stack angle set but I’ve never used it. Heard good things.
Let me know if you need help choosing.
Are you wanting slacker or more upright? It’ll be slacker than standard with longer travel forks as is
I have had one fitted to a (carbon) Vitus Escarpe for 3 years and have not had any issues whatsoever. Has been hammered in the Peak District, Bike Park Wales and other centres in Wales with no problems.
I used this [slakerizer](https://www.superstarcomponents.com/products/slackerizer-angleset-headset-new-layout) .
Yep. Go for it.