Bart de Jong, www.fatbmx.com, april 2005: The A-Head system has been a great invention for the BMX bike. The goosenecks from the early days followed by the Tuf- and Pro Neck type of stems had a few flaws. First of all, with a little force you could move the stem in the forks, especially if you ran it high. The biggest problem was the headset getting loose all the time. When you were out for a BMX session, you always saw people grab the headset and turn the big nut and bigger ring to get the forks tight. Keep in mind that we did not have the right tools to counter lock the big nut and the ring. But even with the right tools, the headsets seem to get loose from time to time. This changed with the invention of the Aheadset. I believe it was used on mountain bikes first and then got adapted on BMX bikes. Standard Byke Co were one of the first ones to change to this system in the early '90-s. Rob-O had to take the heat for the MTB item on his BMX, but looking back he was helping all of us because this was the end to loose headsets. Now check this photo from the 1980 May issue of BMX Plus! It shows a similar system designed by Cook Brothers. Can't believe it didn't become standard issue back then.
Potence cubique GT à expandeur percé.
Ad in BMX Plus! april 1992: You Get Less With A Wedgelok. Less Adjustment. Less Hassle. Less Mess. One bolt does it in the new Wedgelok stem by ACS.
Unique twin-wedge construction offers a powerful mechanical advantage, so that one bolt takes the place of the traditional four. The result is a rigid grip on the handlebar, as well as a smooth top surface free of bolts and holes. The forged light ioy top section is supported by a down tube with hollow wedge bolt, both of Cro-Moly. The Wedgelok is adaptable to Rotors and other detanglers. When you're looking for a little more in a stem, ask for Wedgelok, the them with a little less.
American Cycle Systems, Post Office Box 2597, City of Industry, California 91746.
Mark Noble, Ride BMX UK june 1994: This issue sees the introduction onto the marketplace of a new concept in BMX - clamp-on stems and Aheadset systems. The product has been doing the mountainbike circuit for a couple years now along with the rise in popularity of suspension, and it's a good idea which is slowly creeping onto our bikes. Some people within the BMX industry are claiming that in a couple years the system could replace the standard stem with shaft and regular headset, at least on bikes in the mid-price range and up.
We all know the problems that come with regular stems: apart from headsets that can loosen up, stems slipping from side to side, stem-heads working loose on the stem shaft [and eventually even coming off], stem bolts and wedges easily stripping, the internal thickness of the steerer tube is limited making forks weaker than they should be. The clamp-on stem, complete with Aheadset [a system pioneered by Dia Compe] makes all these problems a thing of the past. The stem has no shaft at all - instead it clamps around the top of the specially extended steerer tube, in much the same way as a seat clamp holds a seattube. This means that there is no shaft to bend or break loose, no wedge to strip out, and because nothing slides down inside the forks the steerer tube can be any thickness you like. This isn't genius - it's logical.
Two Allen bolts clamp down stronger than any regular stem can, tight onto the smooth steerer tube - it's not threaded like regular forks. So how does the headset hold tight? The Dia Compe Aheadset fits on the frame and forks like a regular headset, but instead of screwing down on the steerer tube as usual, it is held tight by an internal adjuster which is bolted up using an Allen bolt and an expander washer inside. The headset does not come loose. Quality on the headset itself is high too -fine bearings, close fitting stuff.
It's already being sold on the GT Fueler, Standard Bicycle Motocross and the Powerlite P61-AL bikes. Hoffman Bikes have Aheadset equipped Big Daddy and Condor frames coming out very soon also, so the system is also Potts Mod and Gyro friendly.
Concept and engineering by G-Sport BMX man George French. Designed and manufactured by Odyssey BMX.
One bolt simultaneously locks the handlebars and steerer tube into place. Available with or without Gyro tabs. Forged and machined 2014 aluminum main U-Frame. Extruded and machined 2014 aluminum inner components. 8 ounce weight. Available in late 2004.
FatTony, www.ridebmx.com, August 26th, 2008: Ron Wilkerson drove down to our office last week to show us a revolutionary new product that he’s been working on under wraps for the past 18 months. Ron hopes that his new Groovetech Steering System will become a staple for BMX bikes like the Pivotal seat has become over the last few years. There are multiple patents pending on the different facets for this invention. The idea that Ron kept saying is, “Your bars will never move again.” The bars and stem have splines similar to the spindle on Profile type cranks to prevent your bars from slipping. Then the other side of the stem has three grooves that match up with grooves on the fork steer tube so your stem can’t turn side to side. The idea sounds great and these photos are of the very first prototype and Ron says it still has a long way to go. We are pretty excited to see where this product ends up in the future.
