NVO Components stems featuring
ATS technology have a distinct advantage over the existing
threadless headset system. The problem with the current threadless
system is that the ability to adjust your stem height is limited
and requires a degree of mechanical skill. The ATS system corrects
this deficiency and adds more benefits.
The current threadless system
uses stack washers to compress the stem and preload the headset.
If someone wants to adjust their stem height, they first have
to loosen the headset bolt, remove the top cap, finally, loosen
and remove the stem. Next, the appropriate amount of washers
for the height adjustment needs to be removed from below the
stem, then reinstall the stem, put the removed stack washers
on top of the stem, install the top cap, preload the headset
with the headset bolt, then tighten the stem. All in all, a
very time consuming process. This needs to be performed every
time a stem height adjustment is desired. Many bicycle riders
don't even try to adjust their stem height because they don't
know you can adjust the height, or they feel uncomfortable with
taking their headset and steering components apart, or they
just don't want to deal with the hassle.
The ATS technology replaces
the stack washer setup with a single slotted shim. The ATS shim
slides over the steer tube to preload the headset. The ATS top
cap then preloads the ATS shim, this, in turn compresses the
headset. ATS is a very simple assembly. The headset is now preloaded
by the ATS shim and the NVO Components stem can be mounted anywhere
along the ATS shim. Your stem height is changed as easily as
your saddle height! You can change your stem height quickly
and often, without ever loosening the headset. If you determine
that you want to cut your ATS shim to a shorter length, please
see the cutting instructions for the proper procedure.