Originally Posted by
HillRider
The split is fine since the plate just supports the lower bearing cartridge and nothing actually rolls on it.
Actually the split is a pretty nice design. The lower cone (my name for this) shares the same key design feature of the upper centering cone, which is the critical patented element that made threadless headsets possible in the first place. Like the one at the top is uses the conical shape to convert vertical force to constriction against the fork.
One thing I like about the concept is that it eliminated the need for a raised crown seat, simplifying fork design and construction.