Spectral CF 8 – Plastic headset shattered during a tech run

I recently picked up a Spectral CF 8 with KIS and a mullet set up. As the subject indicated, I was coming down a rocky tech line when I heard a loud “crack” around my head tube. I originally thought a rock had struck the fork or brake rotor. I pulled to the side and inspected. Everything looked fine. No scratches or signs of damage. After I get down the rest of the line, I notice my KIS system is popping a lot. Additionally, the plastic spacers are turning with my bars. Uh…not good. I loosened the headset and little bits of…checks notes…PLASTIC pieces of what was once the race fall on the ground.

I’m talking now to a LBS about a repair. Apparently there’s very little known about repairing these things, even among authorized service partners. No clue how long it’s going to take to get a replacement headset, and whether or not the KIS system is damaged as well.

So, here I am, with a 63 day-old, $4,600 bike I bought from Canyon that is completely unridable due to some proprietary headset situation that could be replaced on any ordinary bicycle in about 20 minutes, with a standard headset.

Not sure what I hope to gain by posting here except to seek any advice from folks more familiar with the parts, whether or not the headset is replaceable with something NOT PLASTIC. Honestly the KIS system seems like an over engineered gimmick that I could completely live without. It sure if it’s possible to pull the system out and just run something more standard and durable.

Pretty bummed out as the services partner admitted that it could take well over a month just to get the headset parts. Not to mention, they have zero experience with KIS, so if that’s damaged too, the bike is likely cooked for the rest of the season.