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Many of you may be asking:
“Why have KHE decided to use the F-SET internal rotor system on all of their bikes?”
Well, we will try to explain this to you in this document along with the journeys in which we have travelled all around the world to achieve these goals. We will as try to show you all the benefits in this new system.
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The history of the internal rotor system
Four years ago we teamed up with Diatech to help produce the worlds first "System Diatech" integrated rotor system.
We had foreseen that there were great possibilities for this system, so we decided to risk everything and use it on all of our bikes for the KHE 2000 collection. Well the risk paid off and we got great feedback from the riders and retailers along with good positive criticism in ways in which we could improve the system.
As a company committed to using this design wanted to see this “System Diatech” to do well in both terms of sales and a new approach to an old problem.
At the same time we also wanted to see a positive change in the industry as the design of the older and commonly used “external multi-cabled detangling system” was flawed due to mechanical and design problems that riders and retailers had been faced with for many years.
After the release of the first generation “System Diatech” rotor units, we had already started work on areas in which we could use to improve the system.
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The goals we set out to accomplish.
The birth of the F-SET.
In 2002 we decided that the first thing we needed to be done to improve the original “System Diatech” design was to break away completely from Diatech in terms of production.
This was so that we could ensure that this planned redesign of the second generation of integrated rotor systems would be made exactly to our specifications and so that we could also utilise all the best fabricators needed for each individual part.
This in turn would allow us to have full control in every area, which we felt was absolutely critical for the success of this project in terms of build, quality, design and obviously the end product.
As you can imagine this was a daunting task, but we had one huge advantage.
And this was that we had some of the greatest minds in the cycle industry working alongside us with this shared vision.
One of the first areas we set to improve was the shape and styling of the head tube.
Research had shown a mixed “love & hate” relationship in regards to the larger diameter head tube in which we felt we could improve not just aesthetically but also technically.
  
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The System Diatech in 2003 | |
2005 F-SET integrated rotor system |
The second main area we focused on was to make this newly planned “F-SET” fully compatible with all standard brake levers, as first generation units had been modified to use a licensed Diatech lever.
(Our aim was to create a system that was fully universal with the cycle industry)
 
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A licensed SD-Brakelever by Diatech | |
A standard brakelever by Diatech |
The third area of change was to allow VP to produce the F-SET units to our full specifications.
We had great respect for this company due to their incredible production capabilities, which in turn gave us great confidence knowing that this product would be truly “elite” in regards to build and quality.
Since we have made all these changes shown above and out-sourced many of the parts needed to produce this system, we are fully confident that this is the best complete rotor unit system on the market.
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A more indepth look at the technical changes we have made.
In following section we will attempt to show you the main design changes.
- Head tube changes: On the F-SET we downsized the diameter (both externally and internally) on the lower half of the head tube so that it now takes a standard internal 44mm bearing. This allows allot of MTB internal headsets to fit our F-SET system as this is a common, standard size.
- You can also be confident that any replacement parts that may be needed in terms of different markets and technical specs are now possible by this standard size from a variety of different part makers.
- Brake levers: The current F-SET design now works with all standard brake levers, whereas before the only levers that could be used were a specially designed licensed levers produced by Diatech.
The slightly larger head tube has no weight difference compared to a normal 1 1/8" head tube because the wall thickness is thinner and the distribution of stress is more even.
The F-SET system main features
- New Improved Head tube with smaller outside diameter
- Internal headset using an industry standard size to allow easy replacement parts and a diverse choice in after market headsets.
- Steel precision internal rotor system.
- Quick release sealed cable-changing system with easy external access.
- Hi performance cables.
- The whole unit including the head tube is considerably lighter compared to the multi-cabled external detangling systems that are on the market.
The F-SET Pro system main features:
We created this system to cater for the pro market. The Pro system incorporates all the same standards we use in the standard F-SET but we have added these extra features:
- Pro lightweight Aluminium rotor unit with a Teflon lining
- The whole unit including the head tube is considerably lighter compared to the multi-cabled external detangling systems that are on the market.
- This system can save approx. 300grams in weight compared to the external multi-cabled systems.
This is a true scientific saving where we compared a SST Orygä system including cables and head tube
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F-Set |
F-Set pro |
SST Orygä rotor |
| H-Set |
268g
(inc. strong head cup) |
122g
(inc. sealed bearing) |
212g
(normal 1 1/8" h-set with strong lower
head cup) |
| Rotor |
134g |
54g |
148g
(inc. rotor plates) |
| Top Cable |
22g |
18g |
72g |
| Lower Cable |
46g |
35g |
98g |
| Total |
470g |
229g |
530g |
F-SET Overview
Below you will find a list of reasons why we think this system is better.
- Cable replacement is cheap, due to the single cable used.
- Proper alignment of the stem to the headset. There is a direct connection with no spacers or excess plates so the stem fits perfectly.
- Enlarged bearing units for greater strength, stability & longevity.
- Internal rotor unit – This keeps dirt out for better function as well as making the whole unit smooth unlike external detangler units which are renowned to cause injuries due to their bits that stick out.
- Direct adjustment – The F-SET system uses single cables so it’s easy to install and maintain whereas the external systems currently on the market t require 6+ cables and 6+ barrel adjusters to get the thing to function.
- Lighter than external systems, simpler to install, cheaper to replace parts such as cables, internal system for improved function, easy access to cable replacement using our patented external “quick release system”, ergonomic design to help prevent injuries.
Breakless riding
Also for breakless riders we recommend to use the F-SET system with its precise bearings and its lightweight performance. That’s what Jesse Puente, KHE’s best flatlander, really enjoys.
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Last words - thankyou for your time.
We hope you have been able to clearly see the changes we have made and the direction in which we are focused on. If you have any questions whatsoever regarding the F-SET functions or anything else for that matter please feel free to contact us.
We consider ourselves a “big little company” this means we always try to make time for questions
and suggestions as without this type of communication.
For more info: please visit the F-SET homepage
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