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Crankbrothers’ Cobalt SL headset shaves weight

  • By VeloNews.com
  • Published May. 16, 2008
  • Updated May. 16, 2008 at 10:10 AM UTC
Crankbrothers’ Cobalt SL headset

Photo: Matt Pacocha

Price: $130
Weight: 60 grams (cups only); 95 grams (with races, star nut and top-cap)
Models: cobalt (cross-country/road); iodine (trail); opium (downhill race);sage (heavy duty freeride)
Web site:www.crankbrothers.com

Cutting the Fat: crankbrothers’ Cobalt SL headset eliminates the redundancy of a standard headset’s cup and outer bearing race by combining the two components: the headset’s cup also acts as the bearing’s outer race.

By combining these features the Cobalt loses lots of weight (but also serviceability: when the bearing is shot, so is the headset). The SL model is made from stainless steel, but the Cobalt is also available in titanium for $300 and painted steel for $90. All three versions come with a five-year warranty.


The New Product column presents items that VeloNews editors decide would interest our readers. The items are not reviewed or tested.

FILED UNDER: Bikes and Tech