HOW TO: Adjust Specialized Future Shock Headset

Adjusting or tightening your Specialized Future Shock 1.5 or 2.0 is different than a traditional threadless headset. Learn how to service your Future Shock equipped Specialized bike in this video. Applies to any Specialized Future Shock equipped bike including: Diverge, Roubaix, Ruby, and Sirrus.
Future Shock specific headset spacers:
www.thebikesauce.com/
Additional Future Shock videos:
How to adjust handlebar height:
• Specialized Future Sho...
How to swap stems:
• Specialized Future Sho...
Full assembly:
• Specialized Future Sho...

[@macropod]

Hey man, you don’t need a tiny spanner to tighten down the headset pack. You just remove the 3 mm clicker screws entirely, then use a 2.5 mm to tighten the two below. Then reapply loctite on the clinch bolts and tighten to 1nm with a 3mm. Easy peasy and no loosening up of the headset. 😊

[@marcinz90]

I've made my 3mm 'spanner' key from old credit card, just cut out 3x3mm square on the edge of it :) Works perfectly

[@TheBikeSauce]

Ha great idea! I had done the same with a piece of plastic packaging, but it eventually rounded out

[@pliccut]

I found this video very useful. Intelligently explained and the visual aids are great. Thanks!

[@sycarter2024]

id like to thank you as there is no instructions or help from anyone including dealer so you have probably helped a lot a lot of people much like me understanding and maintaining our bikes without going to local bike shop every time for adjustments massive thanks

[@prof_writer]

Mr Sauce you are such a handy character and so meticulous with your mechanics. Clear engineer quality advice.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Haha ‘Mr Sauce’

[@KevinFlory993]

Thanks! My headset on my Roubaix was loosing up and this is exactly what I needed.

[@wombatsauce]

Hi! I want to say a big THANK YOU for this video and many of your others. I enjoy your videos to the point that I often watch those which do not really pertain to me or something I need to know, just because it is enjoyable for me and I always learn something. This particular time I was getting my 2021 Diverge E5 Comp switched over to "sloppy spring mode" and after a test ride, I noticed my headset felt a bit loose - just a slight rattle but I hate any looseness or rattle so... Since I learned how to swap out my helper spring from you, I came back and sure enough, this video is here. Curiously when I initially messed with my headset, the screws and lock screws were both loose, as in they moved freely. This is odd but not hugely surprising to me based on other similar things I have had on this particular bike. I assume this relates to the shop more than the bike itself. Aaaannnyway it was a snap to tighten the screws a bit, then gently hold them steady with a small thin pliers (obvs not recommended behaviour buuut...) and now after a quick 5km ride it's all good. Even though I was unable to fit my fenders as apparently I forgot that I swapped to 42mm Pathfinder Pro's and they are juuuust enough too big, I am ready to rock. I spent all summer on a set of Hunt 650B carbon adventure somesuch and 27.5x2.2 Conti CrossKings which was nothing short of heavenly on the back roads. So yeah, lot of words here I guess but most of what I wrote here directly relates because it was made easier as a result of your helpful videos. Cheers and thank you for your work to produce these, and your efforts to help the community learn more about our bikes.

[@mrwilson007]

Super nice video, I appreciate that you jump right into it (not a lot of fluff up front), thanks much!!!

[@PetervandaRita]

Man you explained it perfectly. Great comparing it a standard aheadset.

[@tmhudg]

This was very helpful. I'm considering a Turbo Creo and now I know to look for all the spare parts and tools that should come with it. Also, great explanation of how the system works. I was confused as there is no top screw for the pre-load. Your explanation helped a lot.

[@tompitchercooke7057]

Great video. Well explained and some fine details that would easily be missed.

[@MichaelValente1]

Awesome video - and timely! My headset started to feel loose on a ride this weekend. I received the spanner with my manual, but didn't know what it was for. It looks more like a lobster fork than a headset tool.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Haha nice!

[@jimthorne4186]

Thanks for the great video. Very simple and clear explanation. After watching I was able to adjust the play out of my future shock very easily and quickly.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Great! Saved a trip to the shop

[@ukano2001]

same here!! Thanx

[@jakeholmes1760]

Found this incredibly useful. Thank you!

[@TheBikeSauce]

Thx Jake!

[@daveg7878]

Great information. Thank you for helping us all with this.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Thx Dave!

[@angrokan]

Just followed your pro tip and used the 2 additional rings, but I didn’t have to loose the the two post load screws. Didn’t know if you realised, but I saw another video, mentioning that you DONT need the tiny spanner, because the post load bolts are a combination of two different screws, means you can use a 2,5 mm hex wrench from the top to loose them, and then use a 2mm to unscrew them. Anyhow your pro tip raising the bar works like a treat. For me as a former MTBer the position is much more comfortable now, thanks a lot!

[@TheBikeSauce]

The point of the spanner is to hold the 2mm screw in place from below while tightening the 2.5mm lock nut from the top. I’ve gotten away without using the spanner, but the hs has come loose on occasion. Since then, I’ve used the spanner and haven’t had any issues.

[@davidgriffin8717]

Another great vid! Thanks.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Thanks, David!

[@graveltacos4824]

Excellent video, thank you so much!

[@TheBikeSauce]

Excellent username 😀

[@AB-tq7ys]

The small spanners should come with all bikes equipped with Future Shocks. At least they did with my Future Shock bikes. Your dealer should be able to provide you with a spanner.

[@fa1coner]

Good video. Took me a while to figure all this out. You might want to make a note that there are two different sized "boots" that cover the future shock base. So unless you want to remove it completely leaving it more exposed to the elements and looking kind of ugly, you really only have two different set heights you can use.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Ahh, I used to think this as well, but with either boot/ duck bill thingy you have the ability to run additional spacers to fine tune the stem height.

[@dr.bonesrey]

Gracias. Te pregunto. Puedo montar una suspensión de estas en mi diverge E5 que no la traía cuando la compre ?

[@MarcEstrella]

Super helpful!!! *smashes subscribe*

[@fenderperry]

Thanks!

[@meibing4912]

Great video - but I'm still not sure which bolts I need to tighten/loosen when trying to correct the handlebar alignment. (Found out from another of your videos that there is no need to remove the future shock stem cap first - so it works just like any other handle bar. Interestingly, my bars where not tightened by my LBS anywhere close to torque specs 5nm 😞- so good that they needed a slight adjustment)

[@clmorris99]

Thanks, gosh, this was great. I have a 2022 S-Works Roubaix. There's been a slight but noticeable gap growing between the bottom of the headset cover and the frame. Looks like I need to get the hubby to adjust those "post load" screws.

[@TheBikeSauce]

😆😆

[@waynekohlman9265]

For a 3mm open end wrench, you can use a "Park Tool DW-2".

[@dakrisht]

Yeah, good timing here. Fork started wobbling a bit after a ride so time to bust out the spanner wrench and make these adjustments. Nice design being able to adjust these without removing the entire headset. And great vid as always. Ps - spanner wrench should’ve come with your bike, but Specialized can get you one I’m sure if you visit the Costa Mesa store 😎

[@TheBikeSauce]

Nice. Actually a viewer just sent me a spanner, so I’m in luck.

[@dakrisht]

@@TheBikeSauce biggest fan! Ha

[@nicolasgabriel9842]

Hello how do you drop the fork? Even when I disconnect the brakes from the fork, the cables hold it back and get in the way of getting it out of the tube.

[@bonzaiii3]

Is it possible to add a bit of Loctite on the post-load screws to prevent them from getting loose or isn't that recommended? Do you think if you do it the correct way with tighten it with a spanner underneath it, the screws don't come loose again?

[@tracysaine4663]

Hi, does anyone know where I could find the 3mm spanner wrench mentioned? Thanks!

[@rguitarist]

Have you or anyone found the best multi-tool or tools to carry to do any on trail headset tightening??? Some tools I find can’t fit due to the location of the headset screws. Thanks!

[@RamilBelmonte-rg4xi]

Hello, i hear unusual sounds from my roubaix's future shock, what can you recommend?thanks.

[@grazza-cm8oj]

Great video! I have two problems though when installing the FS. Both relating to torque settings. My torque wrench hex bits don’t have the reach to tighten the collar pinch bolt and the preload lock nuts. Something to consider if you are thinking of investing in a torque wrench for this job.

[@TheBikeSauce]

Right on. Good feedback. I use and extension for the pinch bolt, and I don't even bother torquing the pre-load screws since it's a 1Nm spec (crazy). That's basically just 'a bit tighter than finger tight'

[@FabAlb166]

Really nice Video, first time i saw a good mechanical breakdown of the futureshock system. With some luck you could take a spoke wrench or hack one slightly to use it as a 3mm wrench. Some Multitools would maybe even work directly By the way, the way It was teached to me, preload Is just a definition of artificial static load on the bearing prior to main load application. So as long as it is loaded before going out for a ride it's still preload. Thad said as an better explanation for an easier servicing manual, postload seems more adequate ;)

[@TheBikeSauce]

Ha! Thanks for the feedback. Great idea on a modified spoke wrench. Perhaps it'd work. Really interesting to hear your take on preload - I always assumed it was the compressive load prior to locking it down with the stem pinch bolts. I like it!

[@ADWfilms]

@@TheBikeSauce Same here! I even went into a specialized dealer to ask about the future shock, and this video has 100x more info then what the shop shared.

[@johnc3605]

If you do not lock those screws in place and they loosen you may encounter a death wobble and soil your pants. To suggest riding your Diverge without really locking them after adjustment is, quite frankly, lacking. I experienced one of these wobbles my first time riding all out with my son. Admittedly, this wobble followed a triple course change to avoid my son, his flying water bottle and some on coming pedestrian traffic. It started to high speed wobble and continued to wobble practically until I stopped. The shop said ALL they had to do to assemble my Carbon Pro was to connect the brakes. They never checked anything else. They said that it was set at 'the factory'. As your video demonstrated, you absolutely need the brakes operational to check for proper tightness. I now will do all my own work on my baby. You are right, this adjustment is very easy as are adding spacers. As a side note, I also believe that my death wobble was enhanced by the light, but unbalanced carbon wheels. Now, after balancing the wheels and adjusting/locking the bolts, I have ridden the bike to 63kph and tried to cause a wobble but couldn't. Tighten those lock nuts. Get, steal or fabricate a wrench. ...or bring a change of underwear...

[@TheBikeSauce]

Ha, that's crazy. Glad you're ok. I never experienced a speed wobble when mine came loose, but riding on a loose headset is just a bad idea altogether. A viewer actually sent me over a spanner, so I'll feature it on a future video.

[@warrenpiers4878]

I’ve had this same problem...twice. Terrifying speed wobble at 60 kph, after some fairly rough gravel rides. Looks like I’m going to have to find these tools and figure out how to tighten properly. For clarification, the locking screw is 2.5 mm and on top of the preload screw which is 2mm?

[@TheBikeSauce]

Yup, 2.5 and 2mm Allen wrenches. The trick is the 3mm spanner to hold the preload in place

[@warrenpiers4878]

@@TheBikeSauce thanks. Looks like i have the wrench..it’s in the package. 👍. Really like your videos!

[@bugeyesprite119]

Great video, thanks! A couple of questions - Any problem changing the stem to a shorter one or one with a steeper rise? How about using a steerer extender, e.g., Dimension extender?

[@TheBikeSauce]

No issue swapping stems. You’ll need a different sleeve than the stock one, but hopefully your owners manual came with one. Can’t recommend a steerer extender- no documentation on this from specialized.

[@bugeyesprite119]

Thanks!

[@jonathanvendituoli4493]

I have a 2017 Roubaix FS 1.5. After a recall to replace the clamp ring on steer tube in 2019 i think LBS mechanic didnt know how to reset the pre load and my headset came loose. I reset it myself thanks to this explanation but not too long after the headset was displaying the classic self centering notch or indexing. I had about 6000 miles on the bike. So i replaced the headset bearing with OEM parts and never let the assembly get loose. Well here i am at 17000 miles and back to same notched bearing. Its $40 for a set of bearings and a couple hours of easy work. No big deal. I'm just wondering if the FS and the bearing design has added limitations. I'm riding in southern California and 95% of miles not a drop of rain or pot hole. Anyone have similar experience? If my FS wore out i will buy FSD.

[@dakrisht]

Do you find yourself tightening the 2mm pre-load screw more often than not? I.e. it seems this thing gets loose after 200-300 miles, forks starts to wobble and the pre-load screws requires re-tightening. Unless it’s a manufacturing defect…

[@TheBikeSauce]

Glad you brought that up. I have that same issue as well. I’ve found that you really have to tighten the 2.5mm locknut.

[@johnnybobblalock6729]

I recently acquired 2017 Roubaix SL4 Di2 disc brake. It has the future shock. I have noticed when steering that It has a catch position when you are straight. Is this adjustable?

[@TheBikeSauce]

Catch position? Like it wants to stay centered? Doesn’t sound right

[@johnnybobblalock6729]

@@TheBikeSauce It doesnt sound right. Other bikes I own and have owned have not done this. There was free movement the full range of motion. It only does this when it is pointed straight forward. I may disassemble and explore this more.

[@samuraioodon]

So you can pretty much slam the stem and still have the future shock functional?

[@TheBikeSauce]

Yea, but ‘slammed’ on a bike with FS isn’t that low

[@thewhitezulu3283]

How close should the bearing cover be to the bike as mine sits quite high up an don’t look right.. as I can see the pins Either side Is this how it’s meant to be or should it be tight to the frame thanks

[@MarcEstrella]

Just picked up a diverge expert with FS 2.0 and same here

[@TheBikeSauce]

There should be a gap of a couple mm

[@neeloy]

Fork steerers always make me nervous, even traditional ones. Steering is held together with just friction from a little clamping collar? I’m sure it’s engineered well, but it’s one of those things I wish I never knew 😅

[@TheBikeSauce]

Haha! Kind of agree, but the more I ride it, the more confidence I have. Basically been trouble free for over 1000 miles

[@nafizz1701]

Does the future shock lose travel after installation of spacers?

[@TheBikeSauce]

No, the spacers only raise or lower the whole cartridge. Travel is unchanged

[@yamilvazquezpr]

Hello, future shock have a minimum insert?

[@TheBikeSauce]

Yea. Easiest metric is no more than 15mm of additional spacers. There’s also a marker etched into the future shock cartridge

[@davidwhyte3708]

I'm a dork. Can you post a link to you store. Want to get some of your alloy shims. Also anyone make custom future shock 1.5 caps

[@TheBikeSauce]

It’s just thebikesauce.com. Cheers!

[@tjbarke6086]

I... how do you do any of your own bike work without a complete set of metric hex wrenches?

[@TheBikeSauce]

I have several complete sets

[@TheBikeSauce]

What I didn’t have was a 3mm spanner. Not as common

[@Digiphex]

Why do you think no other manufacturer is making a Future Shock type of system?

[@TheBikeSauce]

Too complex, too many potential modes of failure? 😆

[@douglasgraham100]

Great video, really helpful in adjusting this silly system. Why in the hell does Trek and Specialized feel the need to over think and over engineer their bicycles? The bikes that have this stupid shock already have big fat tires and carbon forks and thats enough for a pretty soft compliant ride. All this system does is allow for a weak link in the headset area guaranteed to fail at the worst possible moment.

[@TheBikeSauce]

🤘

[@WhiskeyFan]

did you put a shorter stem on your sport carbon?

[@TheBikeSauce]

Still using the stock stem

[@WhiskeyFan]

@@TheBikeSauce I just bought the same bicycle. New to drop bar bikes. I feel like I'm reaching a little far and hand numbness is an issue. Thinking of getting a more positive stem and maybe shortening it a bit. Thanks

[@TheBikeSauce]

Sounds good. If it’s a standard stem, you’ll need to use the supplied shim adapter for the future shock