C-Dal Headshok - Marzocchi conversion

I've spoken to a few other Cannondale owners, and one of them mentioned how much those reducer cups are -- and it was about the same as what my LBS quoted me for a Headshok cartridge rebuild..

What happened to the fork, and what damage has it got? Depending on what sort of Headshok cartridge you have (and the service charges at your bike store, and of course if you liked it before it was blown), it might work out better to get it rebuilt and sell the Marzocchi shock.

Cannondale themselves use an FSA reducer headset on the bikes they sell with a normal style shock.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by RinSedona
Hi there,

I have a C-Dale w/ blown headshock. I'm going through bankruptsy (ouch!), but fate has dropped in my lap a 2003 Marzocchi MX Pro ETA shock (thank you thank you thank you :-) )

What's the best conversion option?

I've seen both the CLC spacer @ Unversal Cycles and the Cane Creek Double XC Headset.

Anyone with any experience here? I've read one post on MTBR r.e. the Cane Creek, which was very good, and one on the CLC unit which was also good.

Any help is appreciated!

Follow-up for anyone who may care...

Converting to the Marzocci shock has CHANGED MY LIFE as a mountain biker! I ride almost every day in very rocky, hilly terrain. Most of my friends have at least $3k f/s bikes for this terrain, but I can't afford much at this point in time.

My C'dale F700 has served it's purpose as it got me back out to and has kept me on the trails for a few years.
But in riding with others who sailed over trails that I struggled on every day, my cycling self-image sank and confidence floundered.

I spent $80 on the Cane Creek DoubleXC headset and installed the Marzocci MX Pro shock on my bike..

On my first ride I smiled greatly as I cleared a rocky, cliffy wash that that I'd never made it across before (3 - 4 tries per month for a year.) I REALLY got excited when I made it through the next gully - which is much harder than the first. After cleaning the third previously impassable obstacle my confidence was so high that I decided that this was the day to try all the hard stuff 😄 ...

I didn't clear "everything" that day ---- but within the next few weeks I did!

Very cool.

Never underestimate the value of suspension travel..... and the confidence it inspires

Wow! 🙄

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by RinSedona
Hi there,

I have a C-Dale w/ blown headshock. I'm going through bankruptsy (ouch!), but fate has dropped in my lap a 2003 Marzocchi MX Pro ETA shock (thank you thank you thank you :-) )

What's the best conversion option?

I've seen both the CLC spacer @ Unversal Cycles and the Cane Creek Double XC Headset.

Anyone with any experience here? I've read one post on MTBR r.e. the Cane Creek, which was very good, and one on the CLC unit which was also good.

Any help is appreciated!

I have used the CLC adapters many times and they are great!!! The headshock bearings are used in the application so those being smooth is important. With the CLC adapters it eliminates the cost of buying the adapter cups and a headset. Use the CLC and you will be very happy. Be careful pulling the cartridge bearing off of the lower race on the headshock.

bestrin04 said:

I have used the CLC adapters many times and they are great!!! The headshock bearings are used in the application so those being smooth is important. With the CLC adapters it eliminates the cost of buying the adapter cups and a headset. Use the CLC and you will be very happy. Be careful pulling the cartridge bearing off of the lower race on the headshock.

Hi there. I too want to replace a deadheadshok. What is a CLC adapter? Is CLC a brand-name? Thanks. I have seen the Canecreek (many$) and FSA(HEAVY!) headsets. There are some rings which allow you to use a regular headset but this is not the CLC option from the description above. It somehow uses the Cannondale headset bearings correct? Also I need to buy a used fork ($$) so what length of steerer do I need? The Headtube is the same length on all Cannondales so it should be known what the approx. minimum steerer length that is required. What did you fellows cut your steerers to for this conversion? There seem to be some sweet deals on forks on EBAY but their steerers often seem short however. Thanks so much. I look forward to more that 70mm of Cannontravel!