S.H.I.S. sees Worldwide Adaptation

Fletcher, NC – August 8, 2011 – S.H.I.S. is taking off.  Also known as the Standardized Headset Identification System (S.H.I.S.), the S.H.I.S. was created by Acros, Cane Creek, Hope, Race Face, Reset and Ritchey in 2010 as a common language for describing modern bicycle headsets.  Less than a year later, the S.H.I.S welcomes five new adopting members.

 To address the changing landscape of bicycle headsets, founding headset manufacturers collaborated to develop a standardized “language” for headset fitment.  The system provides comprehensive and scalable headset fitment information in a standard format; making it easier to communicate headset requirements based on frame and fork interfaces.  The Standardized Headset Identification System (S.H.I.S.) incorporates the four critical interface dimensions required to fit a fork to a frame, as well as explicitly noting bearing location/cup type.  

 Each of the founding members committed to integrate the Standardized Headset Identification System into their respective businesses and encourage additional headset manufacturers to follow.  New adopting manufacturers include:  FRM, FPD, Strummer, Tune, and VP Components.

 Ulrich Fahl, founder of Tune notes, “We adopted the SHIS system to gain transparency for us and our customers. Cane Creek is the technology leader in headsets so we trust this standard will be widely accepted.”

 Several bicycle manufacturers that were early adopters began using the system on their 2012 bikes.  “The beauty of S.H.I.S. is that contained within the actual naming convention of various standards are the dimensions that help consumers, shops and distributors easily identify the headset they have in front of them,” Alex Cogger, Product Manager - Rocky Mountain Bikes.

Additionally, bicycle parts distributors have integrated the S.H.I.S. in their 2011 catalogs and are very pleased with the outcome. “S.H.I.S. is fantastic!   Added to the information on the website and training videos that are available, it has never been easier to sell a headset”, says Cycles Africa distributor Robert Cunnington,

To learn more about S.H.I.S. and to view specific examples and illustrations, visit www.bicycleHeadsets.com.