The S-3 Plus 5 headset is a solution for many suspension fork/frame interface problems, where additional clearance is needed to prevent your suspension fork from coming into contact with the down tube of your frame (it is usually the suspension fork's adjuster mechanisms that contact the down tube). This can be a issue with 26" wheel bikes, but seems to be more common with 29'ers. The lower assembly of this headset is manufactured with an additional 5mm of stack height- hence, S-3 "Plus 5".

The S-3 Plus 5 shares the overhanging cup/cover design of the standard S-3 and S-8, which keeps contaminants from reaching the bearings. This overhanging "treacherous path" feature is repeated with the lower cup/crown race.

All Cane Creek headsets, including the S-3 Plus 5, feature design details such as an undercut transition and stepped insertion for ease of assembly into frames; and are compatible with Cane Creek Interlok spacers.