Cane Creek HCR System Makes Internal Cable Routing Less Painful

Internal headset cable routing systems have become increasingly prevalent in modern road and gravel bikes, offering cleaner looks and some marginal aerodynamic performance gains. While they bring an appealing modern aesthetic, these systems have consistently been a source of frustration for riders and mechanics alike. Today, Cane Creek introduces the HCR Stem and Headset - a solution for internal cable routing that they say is easier, higher quality, lower weight, and doesn’t break the bank.   

 Easier 

The HCR system (standing for ‘Hidden Cable Routing’) hides the brake/shift cables from view without enclosing them in the spacers or stem. This allows for much easier installation and maintenance. It also allows riders to swap stem lengths and spacer stack without disconnecting their brake hoses. It gives the clean and modern look of internal cables without the complexity often associated with it. HCR uses one-piece, aluminum slotted spacers to complete the simple and stress-free design. 

 Quality Focused 

Cane Creek identified that nearly every other internal cable system is built around stems that are visually bulky with basic, matte black finishes. In an effort to raise the bar on the aesthetics, the HCR stem borrows the proportionality, shaping, and polished finish from their popular GXC and eeSilk stems. It's a clean and traditional design that intentionally steers clear of the aero-inspired stems that have been offered until now.  

The HCR system uses all-metal construction, free of flimsy plastic parts. One-piece, aluminum spacers replace the plastic, ‘puzzle-piece’ counterparts exclusively used by competitors. They not only look better, but they’re much nicer to work with as well. 

The HCR Headset uses stainless steel Hellbender bearings, enclosed in a completely sealed design to reduce the stress and high cost often associated with maintaining an internally routed bike. While other ICR systems often expose the headset bearings to additional contamination, HCR uses a unique cable seal that prevents water and dirt ingress into the headset. This can save the rider hundreds of dollars in complex maintenance and adjustment down the road.   

 Lightweight 

The HCR stem is the lightest cable-hiding stem on the market. In some cases, these stems can weigh double that of a traditional, externally routed stem!  

The HCR stem is 16– 68g lighter than the competition, while the headset is 30g lighter than the leading competitor.