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ABOUT THE WORKS COMPONENTS REACH ADJUST HEADSET
As the name suggests, the Works Components Reach Adjust Headset is a headset unit that allows the user to adjust the reach of their bicycle. Available in a wide range of sizes to fit the majority of headtube standards and either 1 ⅛” or tapered steerer tubes, most riders should be able to find an option from Works Components to fit their ride.
Depending on the headtube standard, steerer tube, and internal or external bearing cup configuration, the reach adjustment length can vary between 3mm and 10mm. The adjustment is made possible by an eccentric cup, and can be used to increase or decrease the effective reach length of the bike it is fitted to.
Aside from its eccentricity, the Reach Adjust Headset is constructed in the manner you would expect from a typical quality headset. There is an upper dust cover with rubber seal to keep water out; color-matched top cap with a stainless steel bolt; star nut; split crown race for easier installation and removal; a pair of sealed cartridge bearings; and a compression ring with thin spacers included to optimize the fit of the upper dust cover.
The Works Components Reach Adjust Headset is offered in a choice of nine anodized colors, with a retail price from $79.99 / £74.99 / €74.95. Angle Adjust headsets are also available for riders looking to tweak the head angle of their bike.
THE DIRT
We tested the EC44-EC56 version of the Works Components Reach Adjust Headset for a tapered steerer tube, providing 5mm of reach adjustment, at least on paper. Works offer a number of cup sizes and reach lengths as well. Fitting was simple, with the only extra complication coming from ensuring the notches on the cups were lined up. It is vital that the notches are lined up with the frame to obtain the desired reach adjustment and centralize the steerer tube in the head tube. Also, the cups must be aligned with each other to keep everything running straight and smoothly.
With the external cup version tested, which will typically change the internal bearing setup to the external setup that is required to obtain the space to adjust reach. With the external cups there was an addition of around 19mm to the stack height, in total. As such, it is important to ensure the steerer tube of your bike is suitably long to fit. The change in stack will also affect other numbers, which we’ll discuss below.
The adjustment to the geometry isn’t as simple as it may seem. While on paper the Reach Adjust Headset only modifies the frame’s reach, the reality is quite different.
When extending the reach, the additional stack height offsets the 5mm reach adjustment almost entirely, adding just 0.5mm to the effective reach length. The stack height will increase around 5mm though, increasing the perceived cockpit size. Additionally, the head tube angle and seat tube angle slacken around 0.35 degrees, and the bottom bracket rises 3mm. Most importantly, front-end stability is improved due to a total of around 9mm front center length increase, extending the wheelbase of the bike.
When decreasing the reach, the effect of the increased lower stack height reduces the reach by around 10mm compared to stock. The head tube and seat tube angle will slacken around 0.5°, the bottom bracket rises around 5mm, and the stack height gets 2mm taller.
So while the geometry adjustment is not as simple as just a 5mm reach adjustment, the ability to tune the feel of the bike by a modest amount was much appreciated. The headset was primarily used to adjust two Norco bikes, whose reach figure in the S3 size was shorter than our preferred spot, but in S4 size was longer than ideal. With the Works Reach Adjust headset, the cockpit feel was pushed towards a happier spot, improving climbing comfort and descending confidence. You can see the long term review of the Norco Sight here.
Through multiple bike swaps and countless laps, the Works Components Reach Adjust Headset has continued to spin smoothly and remain creak-free. The tolerances felt tight, and the anodizing held up amicably. While the bearing quality and general construction does not rival the nicest out there, it did the job suitably well the price and quick shipping are fair tradeoffs.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Depending on which headset cup size you need and which direction you’re looking to move your reach, Works Components give you the ability to take your bike’s fit from slightly off to just right. As a 5’11 rider who never felt happy on the too-short reach of the S3 Norco Sight and the unwieldy length of the S4, I am thrilled to have this unit on my bike as it allowed me to get my S4 feeling a lot closer to how I like a bike to handle on the trail. 
Price: $79.99 / £74.99 / €74.95
Website: Workscomponents.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Drew went from chasing a dream of racing downhill to testing and reviewing bikes. Founded Loam Wolf in 2017 and have been trading the bike saddle for the office chair more and more each year sadly. Once in a while the team lets him out of the cage to throw his old bones on an exciting new bike.
Rank: Slowing Down
Size: 5’11” | 188lbs
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