Cane Creek/Dia Compe Timeline

1974

Dia Compe opens a facility in Fletcher, NC to supply alloy road brakes and brake levers (most with the wonderful "safety levers" attached) to the large domestic bike manufacturers (Murray, Columbia, Huffy and Roadmaster).  This was during the large "bike boom" era in the US when anything with two wheels and pedals was flying out the door.

1985

Brake Levers: NGC282 (144g, buffed and clear anodized lever, black wrinkle finish body), 282 (144g, clear anodized lever, black body), 282BL (black lever and body, 144g), GC280 (137g, buffed and clear anodized lever, black wrinkle finish body), 280 (137 g, clear anodized lever, black body), 281/M (128g, clear anodized lever, black body)

Brakes: NGC982 (182g, Eccentric brake shoe adjustment, buffed and clear anodized, spring cover), NGC982/BL (162g, buffed and black anodized, eccentric brake shoe adjustment), GC980 (158g, buffed and clear anodized), GC960 (122g, buffed and clear anodized), 980 (146g, silver), 980BL (146g, black anodized), 981 (156g, silver), 960 (110g, silver)

1986

Brake Levers: NGC282 (144g, buffed and clear anodized lever, black wrinkle finish body), 282 (144g, clear anodized lever, black body), 282BL (black lever and body, 144g), GC280 (137g, buffed and clear anodized lever, black wrinkle finish body), 280 (137 g, clear anodized lever, black body), 281/M (128g, clear anodized lever, black body), 284-I (110g, cast 2 piece bracket), 284-II (111g, cast bracket), 284-III (cast 2 piece bracket, stroke adjustment, 111g)

Brakes: NGC982 (182g, Eccentric brake shoe adjustment, buffed and clear anodized, spring cover), NGC982/BL (162g, buffed and black anodized, eccentric brake shoe adjustment), GC980 (158g, buffed and clear anodized), GC960 (122g, buffed and clear anodized), 980 (146g, silver), 980BL (146g, black anodized), 981 (156g, silver), 960 (110g, silver)

1987

Brake Levers: NGC282 (152g, buffed and clear anodized lever, black wrinkle finish body), 282 (152g, clear anodized lever, black body), 282BL (black lever and body, 152g),  280 (143 g, clear anodized lever, black body), 281 (128g, clear anodized lever, black body), 284-I (110g, cast 2 piece bracket), 284-II (111g, cast bracket), 284-III (cast 2 piece bracket, stroke adjustment, 111g)

Brakes: AD985 (225g, clear anodized, sealed spring, funky looking cast straddle assemble), NGC982 (182g, Eccentric brake shoe adjustment, buffed and clear anodized, spring cover), GC980 (158g, buffed and clear anodized),  980 (146g, silver), 983 (176g, eccentric brake shoe adjustment, OPC11 brake pad), 983D (OPC11 brake pad, 164g), 981 (156g, silver), 962 (125g, silver), AD990 (clear anodized, OPC11 brake pad, 230g, fits "U" brake bosses)

1988

Paul Turner and Keith Bontrager introduce the world of mountain bike suspension with the Kestrel Nitro bike.

1989

Paul Turner (Rock Shox) hooks up with the Dia Compe folks through the Mitchell-Paul advertising agency.  Dia Compe agrees to assemble, market, sell and support the Rock Shox RS-1 fork.  Many of the components for the forks are produced at local Asheville, NC companies.

Brake Levers: 290 (195g, internal return spring, tension adjustment),  292/K (similar to 290 except 22.5mm shorter, 181 g, K is black version), 288/K (similar to 290 except the blade is steel reinforced plastic, 235g),  282 (152g, clear anodized lever, black body), 282BL (black lever and body, 152g),  280 (143 g, clear anodized lever, black body), 284-I (110g, cast 2 piece bracket), 284-II (111g, cast bracket), 284-III (cast 2 piece bracket, stroke adjustment, 111g), 183-II Advantage 5 (100g, 2 finger type), XCM (matches Suntour derailleur package, 155g, aluminum die cast bracket, steel reinforced plastic lever), XCE (matches Suntour derailleur package, 155g, aluminum die cast bracket, steel reinforced plastic lever)

Brakes: 984 (die cast, low profile, 2 way ratchet spring tension adjuster, OPC25 brake pad), 984FK (same as 984 except black), 984D (same as 984 minus 2 way ratchet spring tension, silver), 984DK (same as 984D except black),  AD985 (225g, clear anodized, sealed spring, funky looking cast straddle assemble), GC980 (158g, buffed and clear anodized),  980 (146g, silver), 983 (176g, eccentric brake shoe adjustment, OPC11 brake pad), 983D (OPC11 brake pad, 164g), 981 (156g, silver), 962 (125g, silver), AD990 (clear anodized, OPC11 brake pad, 230g, fits "U" brake bosses), 994 C-P (cold forged, 2 way ratchet tension adjuster, 292g,OPC25 pad, fits U brake mounts, silver), 994K (same as 994 C-P except black), 993 C-P (994 w/o 2 way ratchet adjuster, silver), 993K (same as 993 C-P except black), 992 (U brake, clear anodized, ratchet spring adjuster, 244g), XCE and XCM (steel inserted plastic, 248g, to match Suntour groups)

1990

Rock Shox receives patent approval for the Rock Shox suspension forks.  John Rader , designer of the Aheadset system, meets up with the Dia Compe guys at the 1990 Durango Worlds.  Dia Compe becomes the exclusive licensee and sub-licensee for the Aheadset.

Brake Levers: 290 (195g, internal return spring, tension adjustment),  292/K Short Stop (similar to 290 except 22.5mm shorter, 181 g, K is black version), 288/K (similar to 290 except the blade is steel reinforced plastic, 235g),  282 (152g, clear anodized lever, black body),  284 (110g, cast 2 piece bracket), 183-II Advantage 5 (100g, 2 finger type), XCM (matches Suntour derailleur package, 155g, aluminum die cast bracket, steel reinforced plastic lever), XCE (matches Suntour derailleur package, 155g, aluminum die cast bracket, steel reinforced plastic lever), XCT (steel insert composite lever, internal return spring, 169g, matches Suntour derailleur package), X1 Short Stop (die cast lever and bracket, internal return spring, 134g, matches Suntour derailleur package), X1 Chroma (steel insert composite lever, internal spring adjuster, available in normal or short stop length, color matched inserts, to match Suntour derailleur package)

Brakes: 986 (cold forged, low profile, spring tension tightening device, 171g, silver), 984 (die cast, low profile, 2 way ratchet spring tension adjuster, OPC25 brake pad), 984FK (same as 984 except black), 984D (same as 984 minus 2 way ratchet spring tension, silver), 984DK (same as 984D except black),   AD990 (clear anodized, OPC11 brake pad, 230g, fits "U" brake bosses), 994 C-P (cold forged, 2 way ratchet tension adjuster, 292g,OPC25 pad, fits U brake mounts, silver), 994K (same as 994 C-P except black), 993 C-P (994 w/o 2 way ratchet adjuster, silver), 993K (same as 993 C-P except black), 992 (U brake, clear anodized, ratchet spring adjuster, 244g), XCE and XCM (die cast, spring tension adjustment in right arm, XCE is black and XCM is silver, to match Suntour groups), BA-XCE (U brake for XCE group, aluminum die cast, sealed spring, 280g), XCT (aluminum die cast, 185g, matcher Suntour group), X-1 ( aluminum die cast, 248g), X-1 Chroma (aluminum die cast, 185g, color inserts available)

1991

Production begins on the Aheadset system by Chris King and Hatta.  Once again, the Fletcher office is in charges of  packaging and marketing of the product.

Brake Levers: Short Stop (SS) 5 lever: cold forged lever, cast bracket, return spring, 166grams, also in a Dipping version with padded lever, 176g, Short Stop (SS) X-1 lever: cast bracket, nylon (steel reinforced) lever, spring assist, Chroma available, 274g 286 SS Lever: cold forged lever, cast bracket, assist spring,  XCE lever: cast bracket, nylon/steel lever, assist spring,  XCM lever: cast bracket, nylon/steel lever, assist spring, XCT lever: cast bracket, steel/resin lever  XCU has a steel bracket, Advantage 5 SS lever:  forged lever, cast bracket, 100 grams, 292/K Short Stop similar to 290 except 22.5mm shorter, 181 g, K is black version, 284 (110g, cast 2 piece bracket), 183-II Advantage 5 (100g, 2 finger type), 286/K aluminum die cast lever and bracket, internal return spring, 256g, K is matte black

Brakes: 986 brake: cold forged, 151 grams, curved DC3 (Custom Composite Compound) pads (silver or Ti),  X-1 brake: same as 986 except only one side features the adjustable spring tension, Chroma available, XCE brake: cold forged, DC3 , low profile, BA-XE00 U brake for XCE, 280g, aluminum die cast, XCM brake: forged, DC3 pad, low profile, XCT/XCU: steel/resin cantilevers,  BRS (Balanced Response System) cables, 984 (die cast, low profile, 2 way ratchet spring tension adjuster, OPC25 brake pad), 984FK (same as 984 except black), 984D (same as 984 minus 2 way ratchet spring tension, silver), 984DK (same as 984D except black), 994 C-P (cold forged, 2 way ratchet tension adjuster, 292g,OPC25 pad, fits U brake mounts, silver), 994K (same as 994 C-P except black), 993 C-P (994 w/o 2 way ratchet adjuster, silver), 993K (same as 993 C-P except black), AD990 (clear anodized, OPC11 brake pad, 230g, fits "U" brake bosses)

1992

Rock Shox introduces the Mag 20 and Mag 30 models.  Dia Compe is still assembling, marketing, selling and servicing the forks.  Less of the parts are being made in the Asheville, NC area.  Dia Compe USA becomes a separate entity from Dia Compe Japan.  They are headquartered in Fletcher, NC. 

Brakes: 987: cold forged, 162 grams, available in silver, black or Ti anodized, 986: cold forged, 171 grams, available in Ti anodized, 985: (new) cold forged, silver, 2 side adjustable springs, 973: (new) cast, single spring tension adjustment (front side of the brake), 972: cold forged, spring tension (back side of the brake), 971: steel and resin composite cantilever brake, X-1: same as 986 except with single side adjustment (used with Suntour component group), XCE:  same as 972 for use with Suntour component group,  962:125g, silver, still listed in the catalog   

Levers: SS7: cold forged, 184 grams, internal return spring, silver, black, Ti anodized levers, SS-5: cold forged, 166 gram, 2 finger, black, internal return spring, SS-4: (new) die cast light alloy lever, internal return spring, silver lever/black body, 273: (new) short stop, internal return spring, cast, black, 272: die cast, black, internal return spring, normal stop, black, 271: steel and resin lever with 270 junior version, X-1: steel and composite lever, 274 gram, internal return spring, for use w/ Suntour group, XCE: steel and composite lever, internal return spring, available in short or normal stop, use w/ Suntour. 

1993

Rock Shox ends their relationship with Dia Compe with the introduction of the Mag 21 models.  Paul Turner (founder) and Steve Simons are the new owners of the Rock Shox.

1994

Headsets:  Thread head S-Series: 4 pieces head set (crown race, upper cup/bearing, lower cup/bearing, threaded top nut with 2.5 mm Allen cinch bolt) sealed cartridge bearings

Aheadsets: S-Series (cartridge), DL (alloy cup and cone), SA (alloy cups, steel cones), ST (steel)

Wheels:  Cronometro wheels are introduced the Mountain Attack wheels. The rear hub uses a tall bolt-on drive side flange, nipples at the hub with straight pull spokes, designed by Colin O'Brien.  This design becomes the Cane Creek Crono wheel in 1998.

Brakes: Speed Check disk brake: designed by Hayes before they sold bike brakes under their own name, cable actuated hydraulic disk brake  987: cold forged, available in Ti anno, purple, blue, black, silver with new contoured brake pad  987 TT: same as regular 987 except with Ti hardware and gray brake pad  986: cold forged, 152.5 grams, black or silver, dual spring adjustment  985C: cold forged, dual spring adjustment, 171.5 grams, silver, Ti anno, purple, blue, black   Versa C5: cold forged, 2 side spring adjustment, silver, black, 184 gram  Versa C3: cold forged, 1 side spring adjust, 177 gram, silver, black  Versa C1: cold forged, 170 grams, internal spring tension adjustment, silver black   973: Die cast alloy, 172.5 gram, silver, black  970: steel, 179 gram, black

Levers:   Power Control Levers: all PC levers feature a pivot link to accelerate the cable pull  PC-8 (all cold forged), PC-5 (die cast), PC-3 (resin bracket, alloy handle), PC-3 JR (composite)  SS-7 continues in black, silver, purple and blue  SS-4 continues in black or silver  271: (resin, steel construction) and 270: (same for smaller hands) 273: short stop, internal return spring, cast, black SS-5: cold forged, 166 gram, 2 finger, black, internal return spring

Hubs:  Tsali hubs: CNC 7000 aluminum, 17mm front axle, sealed cartridge bearings, USA made, 28/32/36 holes, rear cassette, regular or disk brake compatible, all are silver

Summer: The cables switch to stainless steel.  Speed Check disk brake available in rear mount, front     mount and front Mag mount with extended Force Transfer Arm.  Not for use with carbon legged forks.

1995

Speed Check Disk Brake: continues on with the three mounting options and Metal Matrix rotor. Tsali SRC (silent Roller Clutch) hubs: the internal ratchets are replaced with a roller clutch.  This allows for a silent quick engagement and is available in regular (Competition) or disk compatible (Speed Check).  Silver or blue. The shell is CNC machined from 7000 series aluminum, 17mm aluminum axle, aluminum cassette body and contains 5 bearings (2 roller, 1 thrust and 2 sealed cartridge). Designed by John Rader.  Tsali front hub: available in blue or silver and regular or disk compatible w/ 15mm metal matrix axle.

Aheadset: Kontak AL: 102.5 grams, alum. cups, steel races, silver or black.  New aluminum top cap,  DL (alloy cup and cone) AL2

Brakes: VC (Versa Control) 900: tall tubular cold forged arms, dual spring tension adjusters, grease ports, gray matter pads, silver, 200 grams  980: silver, cold forged aluminum, 155 grams, dual side spring adjustment  987: cold forged, available in  silver with contoured brake pad  987 TT: same as regular 987 except with Ti hardware and gray brake pad  986: cold forged, 152.5 grams, blue or silver, dual spring adjustment  985C: cold forged, dual spring adjustment, 171.5 grams, silver, Ti anno, purple, blue, black   Versa C5: cold forged, 2 side spring adjustment, silver, black, 184 gram

Levers: PC-11: internal link for increased power, 203 grams (pair), cold forged handle, cast bracket  PC-8: all cold forged PC-7: cold forged lever, cast bracket, 204 g (pair), silver or black  PC-3: cold forged lever, composite bracket, 202 g (pair), silver or black  PC-1: 204 g (pair), full composite, also available in junior size  SS-5 Mark II: cold forged lever w/ new cut outs, 135 g (pair), return spring, silver or black, SS-7 continues in black, silver and blue  SS-4 continues in  silver 273:  short stop, internal return spring, cast, black.

1996

Introduction of the Cane Creek brand name in addition to Dia Compe.  RJ Concepts introduces the original Thudbuster suspension seat post

Cane Creek: 

Air Driver Rear Shock:  Designed by Arlo Englund, air sprung, pressure damped (piston moves through the pressurized atmosphere of the large chamber for damping), internal valving determines the nature of the travel and rebound, negative spring provides suppleness in initial travel, AD-8 (eight compression/rebound settings), 322 grams, originally fitted to the Litespeed Ocoee FS and Schwinn Homegrown URT bike. AD-4 also is available with fewer adjustments

Tsali hubs: SRC rear and Competition front: carry on from the previous year except as Cane Creek

Cane Creek Aheadset: best model, 116 - 144.5g (depends on size), silver/black/blue/red, CNC aluminum cups, steel races, stainless steel cartridge bearings

Thread Head: now labeled under the Cane Creek brand, 1" only, 106.5g, silver, black

Speed Check Hydraulic disk brake: now under the Cane Creek brand

Cane Creek Mountain Lever: listed as "under construction"

Dia Compe:

Levers: PC-12 Plus:  spin dial adjustment for Power Control with a window display, offset Grip Shift bracket, forged lever, cast bracket, 223 grams, Titanium color  PC-800: 176 grams, cut outs in the cold forged lever and cast bracket, silver, offset bracket  PC-700:  177g, same as PC-800, handles use less expensive barrel finish SS-5 Mark II:  continues on in silver, black, blue and red  SS-7: continues in Titanium, black and blue PC11N and PC7N: same as before except the N is for the new offset bracket, less aggressive PC ramp than what is used on the PC-800 and PC-700 SS-4 continues in silver

Brakes: VC-900: carries on in silver  VC-800: 143.5 grams, cold forged arms, gray matter pads, silver, simple "L" or "H" spring adjustment  VC-700: 141 grams, same as VC-800 except barrel finished and regular black brake pads, silver  VC-11: longer arms, cold forged, 172 grams, Titanium color  987: continues with gray matter pads, available in silver, Ti, black or blue   985C:  continues in silver  VC-3: tall arms, gray barrel finish, 161 grams, die cast aluminum  990: frame mounted U brake, fits same bosses as Shimano U brakes and Suntour Roller Cams 986: cold forged, 152.5 grams, silver, dual spring adjustment 

Headsets: Aheadset TRB: Tapered Roller Bearing (lower), Kontak seals, silver, black, 1" or 1 1/8" Aheadset DLC: sealed cartridge bearings, aluminum cups, silver, black, 1", 1 1/8"  Aheadset DL: 100 g, silver, black, 1", 1 1/8", 1 1/4". aluminum cups, steel races  Aheadset Kontak AL: aluminum, 2 Kontak seals Kontak SA: single Kontak seal, aluminum  Aheadset Kontak ST: steel cups

Seatpost: the Thudbuster seat post is introduced by Ryan McFarland or RJ Concepts.  The first generation used a single elastomer without the 4 bar linkage.  This design was modified and sold by Cane Creek starting in 2000.

1997

Cane Creek headsets raced by BMW/Pro-Flex, Chevrolet/ L.A. Sheriff, GT, Schwinn, Diamondback, Jamis, Specialized, 3D, and Cane Creek/Litespeed, looks like the disk brake disappears from the Cane Creek catalog but still appears in a Dia Compe catalog

Cane Creek: 

 Air Driver Rear Shock:  Designed by Arlo Englund, air sprung, pressure damped (piston moves through the pressurized atmosphere of the large chamber for damping), internal valving determines the nature of the travel and rebound, negative spring provides suppleness in initial travel, shocks are available for GT, Trek Y bikes, Schwinn, Jamis Dakar, Litespeed plus others  AD-8 (eight compression/rebound settings) 195g, AD-4 also is available with fewer adjustments at 160 grams

Tsali hubs: SRC rear and Competition front: rear hub listed as road only, silver, Shimano or Campagnolo compatible, sealed cartridge bearing, 28 or 32 hole front and rear, 130mm rear spacing

Cane Creek Aheadset: best model, 116 - 144.5g (depends on size), silver/black/blue/red/pewter (XTR color), CNC aluminum cups, steel races, stainless steel cartridge bearings

Thread Head:  1" only, 106.5g, silver, black

Dia Compe:

New linear pull long arm brakes

Levers: DP-7 forged lever, cast bracket, 176g, for Direct Pull LAC brakes  PC-7 EXA forged lever, cast bracket, dual leverage adjustment for LAC or canti, 228 g PC-12 NA:  adjustable pull for long arm cantilevers (LAC), offset Grip Shift bracket, forged lever, cast bracket, 227 grams, Titanium color  PC-800: 176 grams, cut outs in the cold forged lever and cast bracket, silver, offset bracket   PC-700:  178g, Grip Shift offset bracket, PC Link mechanism,  handles use less expensive barrel finish SS-5 Mark II:  continues on in silver or black  SS-6: forged lever (silver), cast bracket (black) 186 g SS-8 forged lever (silver), cast bracket (black), offset for Grip Shift, 190 g PC11N and PC7N: same as before except the N is for the new offset bracket, less aggressive PC ramp than what is used on the PC-700 PC-3N composite bracket, alloy lever, offset for Grip Shift,220 g

Brakes: VC 747 LAC, forged. 5mm Allen dual spring adjusters, direction specific "VT" pads, 213 g silver or gray VC 737 LAC, forged, dual spring adjusters, direction specific "S" pads. 184 g, silver or gray VC-900: carries on in silver  VC-800: 143.5 grams, cold forged arms, gray matter pads, silver, simple "L" or "H" spring adjustment  VC-700: 141 grams, same as VC-800 except barrel finished and regular black brake pads, silver  VC-6:forged, dual spring adjusters, "K" pads, silver or black, 170 g  VC-2: forged, single spring adjuster, silver or black, 168 g    990: frame mounted U brake, fits same bosses as Shimano U brakes and Suntour Roller Cams

1998