Small Part. Bigger Impact. (Headshok Owners Survey)


Small Part. Bigger Impact.

Most of the recent focus has been on the XStem project.

Testing, iteration, refinement.
That’s still moving forward.

But there’s another part of the HeadShok ecosystem that keeps coming up in conversations:

Lockout knobs and stem caps.

Many originals are cracked.
Some are missing entirely.
Others are holding on… barely.

Before committing to production, I put together a short 3-4 minute survey to understand:

• Which fork variants are most common
• What condition original caps are in
• Period-correct vs modernized preference
• Additive vs CNC aluminum vs STL download
• What price range actually feels fair

Why this matters:

Smaller components like this can move faster to market.
Successful small releases help responsibly fund deeper validation on larger projects like XStem.

Step by step.

If the goal is more options for Vintage Cannondale owners... from period-correct to restoMOD... it won’t happen all at once. It happens by stacking thoughtful pieces.

Your input directly shapes what gets built next.

I’ll share what we learn and outline next steps once responses are in.

Appreciate you being part of building this.

Sincerely,
Bruce

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
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XStem Project

The XStem Project is a build-in-public effort to create a modern stem for vintage Cannondale HeadShok bikes and modern setups alike. Subscriber feedback directly influences what gets designed, tested, and produced next, with small-batch parts supporting continued development.

Read more from XStem Project

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XStem prototype undergoing ISO laboratory fatigue testing with handlebar and steerer fixture

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XStem project CNC prototypes showing multiple clamp designs and finishes, January 2026 update

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