Cane Creek’s new HCR stem, headsets, and spacers solve the hassle of fully integrated hidden cables by not quite fully integrating them. We got a glimpse of a not-quite-so-integrated setup with it last summer at MADE, but now you can actually buy it.
Instead of hiding everything completely inside your stem and spacers, the HCR system gets open slots in the front of the spacers and under the stem. Cables then get neatly tucked in, and out of sight. But you can still easily access them if you need to change anything. Sure, your brake lines still end up running through the upper headset bearing. But at least cockpit adjustment is still easier.
Cane Creek HCR hidden cable routing headset & stem system
Bikes are going all-in on fully integrated and hidden internal cable routing through the headset these days – mechanics be damned. It’s hard to argue with the clean look and aero gains on modern road, TT & gravel race bikes. Or even the lack of cables in the way of bikepacking setups. But integrating everything also makes cockpit adjustment or simply removing a handlebar to pack a bike for travel a huge hassle. Not to mention the added complexity of replacing a headset bearing.
Cane Creek’s new HCR (hidden cable routing) system offers a solution at least to the former. Their new HCR stem, HCR headsets, and HCR spacers aim to make life for pro and amateur mechanics just a touch simpler. And in the process, the Cane Creek HCR solution is premium quality, lightweight, and not exorbitantly expensive.
Break it down
The core of the concept is really two- or three-part.
First, there’s a forged and machined alloy stem, with an open cable channel underneath to tuck the cables into. Its 4-bolt faceplate is removable, and cables can be routed fully internally if your bar has an opening at the back of its clamping area. Or bend them under the stem, or routed through the removable bridge guide under the bar clamp, depending on your bar’s routing ports. Cane Creek says this is the “lightest cable-hiding stem on the market“, claiming 16-68g weight savings over competitors.
Then, there are slotted spacers for your steerer tube. With a forward-facing open slot, cables snap into place, but can still be easily removed without taking anything apart.
And lastly, a series of Cane Creek HCR Hellbender headsets with a special top cover that keys into the HCR spacers and has specially sealed plugs for both shift and brake lines. They say these are “30g lighter than the leading competitor“, too.
You get the sleek modern aero look of fully integrated internal cable routing, without some of the complexity and limited adjustability.
Tech details
- forged and CNC-machined 6066 aluminum HCR stem with stainless bolts, just like the GXC stem
- -6° stem available in 70/80/90/100/110/120mm lengths
- 160g claimed stem weight (90mm)
- Hellbender 70-level HCR headsets with interlocking cable seal, steerer tube seal, bearing lip seal & dual-lip crown race seal
- CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum headset cups & cover
- premium stainless steel Hellbender bearings
- available in straight 1.5″ EC44/EC44 external cups and IS52/IS52 integrated headset bearing options
- 147g claimed headset weight (EC44 with 15mm of spacers)
- 2x mechanical shift + disc brake compatible, but optimized for wireless drivetrains
- 1-piece machined aluminum slotted spacers included with stem 1x10mm, 2x5mm
- 5mm round spacer for exposed cable routing (not with an HCR stem) included with HCR headsets
Cane Creek HCR – Pricing, options & availability
The new HCR system is available directly from Cane Creek starting today, only as a complete set including a 20mm stack of spacers. An HCR stem will set you back $100, available in 70-120mm lengths. A drop-in IS52 headset sells for $130, while an EC44 press-in 44mm headset sells for $150. You can also pick them up individually through select dealer bike shops now, too.
For now, it seems like only shiny black anodized stems, headsets, and spacers are available. But Cane Creek is teasing us with this pink Blackheart fitted with a shiny blue cockpit. So we’re hoping that HCR joins the Cane Creek Chroma Studio soon, too!
