Does anyone know if there would be a problem swapping out an older Ultra Fatty 70mm fork with one of the newer Super UF 80mm-travel forks? That is, would I run into a compatibility problem in the frame's headtube itself. BTW, the bike is a 2002 Scalpel, if it matters.

In case you are wondering, I'm NOT asking this question just because I'm trying to gain another 10mm of travel. I recently found out that Magura makes a aftermarket cartridge for the 80mm Headshok that has adjustable damping, larger air reservoir, better lockout, etc. It won't work with my 70mm Headshok though.

Sorry I have no idea on the conversion, but do those headshocks really work? How well do they absorb bumps on a trail?

I do like a lot of things about it. Torsionally very stiff, and it's a noticable improvement over the Rockshox Mag 21 I was sporting on my old bike. It has all the precision and feel of a rigid fork but with a few inches of give. It does not absorb bumps as well as the modern twin-tube forks though, or the C'dale Lefty for that matter. People who are into catching air or taking really big hits would hate it. If however, you like a light bike for fast travel over fire roads or whipping through singletrack, it's great.

Them problems with the Headshok are that there is no adjustment for damping except by changing the viscosity of the oil used---and mine still feels underdamped at one grade thicker than stock. And from what I understand, the air reservoir is pretty small, which causes the spring rate to ramp up quickly. Magura claims their insert has a larger air chamber, so the rate is a bit closer to linear. That makes for more usable travel. Add to that adjustable damping via a knob atop the headset and it looks like a pretty cool product.

A bike mechanic friend was expaining to me that, while the Headshok is disappearing from the US market, its use is still strong in Europe. I guess the mountain bike culture over there isn't as susp-travel obsessed as ours. (FWIW, I live in San Diego, CA.)

Dirtbike:
I got to thinking about your username. I don't imagine that you'd be particularly impressed with the Headshok if you come from an actual dirtbike background. Probably not enough travel for you. The Lefty on the other hand is pretty cool. My buddy has one on his Jeckel. He's been riding dirtbikes out in the desert since he hit puberty---going on three decades ago---so his standards regarding suspensions are pretty high. He love's the Lefty's ability to absorb bumps. Heck, he likes to demonstrate it's abilities by riding headlong into curbs, no unweighting the frontend or anything. He glides right over it every time. I wouldn't try that with my bike! And he wouldn't be happy with a Headshok.

I like the lefty also... except the wheel issues. I have ran into curbs the same way myself. The travel is everything though...

You have a link for that Magura catridge? I'd be interested in checking it out, just looked at Magura's site, but no dice......

I would love to try out a Lefty, but I still cant stand that thought of all of the unnatural stresses put everywhere. I'm quite happy with my Z1 and I'm trying to get a QR 20 lowers for it. Enduro Fork Seals are next. I love suspension. It would be hard to ride without it.

That's odd. I didn't have any trouble finding it on their site. If you follow the bike suspension links, you will see a link to "MAGURA CCS - Cannondale Cartridge System for HeadShok forks."

Though now that I look back at it, I see it's in the "English" (language) section, not in the "USA" section, which has me worried. Maybe they don't plan to sell it in the States? That would be lame.

I just got an email from MaguraUSA. The CCS *is* available in the US, supposedly. MSRP is $260. Don't know of anybody actually carrying them though.

That would be lame, but sounds like from your post below that you're all set. Also explains why I couldn't find it, little odd that the upgrade kit for a US company is in the UK section of Magura, but whatever. I dunno if I'd consider that for myself kinda steep, between that and getting the rear shock PUSHed, close to 500 bucks. Anyway, thanks for replying with that info

Yes it IS a bit steep, especially for me, since I'd also have to scrounge one of the C'dale Super Fatty 80mm-travel forks also. For all the money trouble I think I'd want to first try out the Magura insert to see if it's worth it.

Here here to that. Maybe some reviews can be found soon via some UK sites, I'll have to look around a little.

I currently have a 2002 scalpel with a super fatty DL headshok that i recently replaced with the Magura CCS cartridge and can honestly say that someone finally got it! There has been alot of talk about the headshok's 70mm travel and the CCS cartridge provides another 10mm of travel as well as having the ability to dampen the shok is an even greater addition. I do not think that i would ever go to another shock after riding the headshok. With the upgrade, the shok is what i would have expected from cannondale. It has made the shok a great single track and cross country dream for me. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a headshok. Magura's website has all of the info and the north american rep(call the 800 number) was more than helpful and answered all of my q's.