Slack VS Steep Headset Angle Explained - How to Setup Scott Spark Headtube

Steeper, slacker - those words comes into place with Scott Spark models quite often. Yet, there is no super clear explanation on this in techbook, which makes it hard to understand. In this video you will find how to setup the headset cups with in-depth explanation.

00:00 - Headset Cups Explanation
00:48 - Two key 0.6 degrees cups Features
01:38 - 0.6 cups at steep angle installation
02:53 - 1st BB to fork measurement
03:26 - 0.6 cups at slack angle installation
03:54 - 2nd BB to fork measurement
04:40 - Neutral aka universal cups installation
05:46 - 3rd BB to fork measurement
06:00 - My setup preference
06:40 - Headset bearings, Ceramic Speed?
07:25 - Why Tom10Crafted channel

From visual examples, to actually measuring the distance, to give a clear understanding of the topic. Now if you consider which way to go - steeper is faster, yet slacker is significantly more comfortable for handling and cornering in trails. If you don't believe in me - try it yourself and chances are high enough you will be surprised by the feeling it gives.

2023 Season MTB Races Analysis with EN Commentary:

2023 Season MTB Races Full Onboards:

Insights about the bike & gear:

2022 Season MTB Races Highlights with EN Commentary:

2022 Season MTB Races Full Onboards:

After Stats:

Information about the gear used:
Footage captured - chest: GoPro Hero 10 + Max Lens
Tracking device: Garmin Edge 1040
Power meters: Garmin Rally XC200 / Stages Cycling XT
Bike: Scott Spark RC Pro 2022

[tomcrafted]

Which mode do you use? Is it STEEPER, SLACKER or I DON'T GIVE A DAMN one? :D Well, you should start giving a damn, until its not too late.

[flurin]

Highly appreciated! Thank you for this important information, which is unfortunately difficult to obtain without such videos.

[alfagtv]

I really appreciate your content relating to the Scott Spark. Very informative and no doubt valuable now and in the future for Spark owners. Keep up the excellent work. 👍👍👍👌

[field.palmer]

Thank you so much for doing this and confirming the head tube angle. I was surprised how vague Scott was with the explanation. Most reviewers seem to think the steep is 67.2 and slack is 66.6. I suspected they were incorrect because of the inclusion of the neutral cups. I have even seen some reviewers, whom I won't name, only rotate the top cup and explain that will slacken it 0.6, and if you rotate the bottom cup in conjunction, it will slacken 1.2!

[ghostdog]

Very informative content as usual. Thanks, Tom! Just when you think that scott can't make it any more complicated than it is comes the fact that not every cup will fit your body because the frame size is different. Well, I didn't expect that, but after a few minutes of considering, itt makes definitely sense.

[nickg]

ThankYou!! Very well explained with great information. I've subscribed and looking frwd to looking through your channel

[minbdending]

this is applicable for many bikes using the acros headset, in my case Cube One55, thanks for the important info which normally the producer should be providing :)

[anticcp]

My Bold Linkin lT(Spark), has rattle at Headset when braking, I have tried many ways but do not work. Is it normal to have some movement at headset when braking? Thanks.

[vcnzone]

It would be nice if you would make 2 (or more) laps of the same track with the 2 different wheel base and tell us the differences according to your feelings. I owned an RC for less than a year but never bothered to change the angle. I expect to get my new Spark 900 in couple of week but will change the headset tube angle to experience the differences

[richcole]

Any idea if I could install those Scott or aftermarket headset cups on my 2021 Spark RC (last generation) model?

[soulcaliburbra]

Can I chance the head tube angle 65.8 for 67.2 like a RC version?

[freedomandbike]

Thanks a lot for that information. Superb.

Ah, not sure if that's in this video: Rockshox damper in the fork. An ongoing problem. I had 3 times exchange of that part without lasting positive effect. It is a bleeding - problem. Seems that bleeding is not done very precisely at the service. I do bleeding by myself now approx. 3 times per year. A weak point of the bike. Yours Holger

[soliranje]

Does slackening head angle steeps seat tube angle?

[pekkarahikainen]

Does slacker setup bring the BB down a bit?

[alwinvanasperen]

On what website do you get those cubs can’t find them anywhere.

[axelgiuliano]

Hello Tom, so do you prefer Neutral or 0.6? What are the differences you feel? Thanks.

[Comicsiwnl]

Hi, I have a few questions. If you can answer, I would appreciate it. Which headset angle do you like best? How many millimeters of spacing do you use in the headset? How many millimeters does the stem of your handlebar measure?

Thank you!

[frankblack]

I wonder if one can feel the difference, ideally in a blind test (you definitely feel something when you know it 😂). I have a Spark 2 months and have been too lazy to test yet...

[cognac]

Buy two bucklos headset packages with bearings and seats. And invert the seats just simply laying them there on the tube on the fork. I use two. They not for that but it works even the bearings and in grooves

[dev-on-bike]

Hi, I use simply default for my bike which I appreciate because I don;t have this option. Why? Because it is fancy shmancy and adds another level of complexity, another level of gear that have to bought and maintain and in this very case it also could add more friction. It is like wireless shifters: maybe nice to have it (looks neat but has multiple drawbacks which effectivelly stops me buying it and it is not a money constrain). I like stuff that Scott delivers but for me gear that u broke (like plastic cups) is a big no no for such a mature company. I know that mosts bike users expects new things each year but history shows that simplicity for some bike parts are the key, the same goes for material used to made them. Of course another is story is for people that only owns bikes but I expect from Scott that for such high end frame will not introduce some shitty solutions or at least not mix high end with untested once. Maybe that is a strategy but if u buy Maybach u want to have a car that is better in every way then car priced 10x less. So this is suprising for me why the hell they even think about introducing this unnecessary complexity in bike/frame that should last virtually forever.