EB17: Cane Creek Slamset slams that headset, limited edition El Chulo eeBrakes, more

If you’re going to great lengths to ‘slam that stem,’ Cane Creek has another option to reduce your stack height. Enter the Slamset – a specially designed headset that was created just for offering the smallest stack height possible.

Available in Zero-Stack or IS (integrated versions, the stack heigh is said to be reduced to 2mm for ZS and 4mm for IS.

In order to get it there, Cane Creek had to lose some of the sealing capabilities of the headset top cap. So to ensure the headset was still plenty durable, they created a new bearing called the Hellbender. Named after a salamander that thrives in the mud, it makes sense that the new stainless bearing has an improved seal structure for keeping out water and debris. These Hellbender bearings are included with the new Slamsets, but they’ll also be available separately in IS41 and IS42 sizes to fit other headsets.

Both IS and ZS Slamset headsets use the same lower structure as other headsets, though with the Hellbender bearing. Available in November, the headsets will likely retail for $130 for IS versions and $160 for ZS. Pricing for the Hellbender bearing itself is TBD.

We missed these at Eurobike, but apparently Cane Creek is producing a limited run of El Chulo edition embraces which have a special blue, silver, and gold anodized finish. They’re the same ridiculously light 80/82g brakes that made ee Cycleworks famous, just in a limited edition color and now manufactured by Cane Creek. If you want a set though, you have to act fast. Pre-orders are being accepted until the 15th (this Friday). Pricing is set at $325 per brake ($650 per set).

It’s been available for a bit now, but this eeNut caught Tyler’s eye as it’s one of the lightest preload assemblies on the market at 9.6g. Apparently it’s carbon and aluminum friendly, and will work in 1 1/8″ steerers. Price is set at $60.

Cane Creek was also showing off their new Helm Coil fork which we got a sneak peek at during Crankworx. The same Helm we know and love, just with a coil spring, the fork offers 8mm of preload adjustment in 16 clicks, and travel can be adjusted in 10mm increments from 130-160mm of travel. Weight is said to be about 200g more than the air fork at 2250g. Priced at the same $1100 as the Helm air, the fork is currently only available for 27.5″ wheels.