So you know you want a HELM fork... why wouldn't you? Get the low-down between the three different models so you can make sure the fork you choose will be best for your riding style! And if you don't know you want a HELM fork, let us convince you...

Born in the mountains of Western North Carolina, HELM is designed to conquer aggressive trail, enduro racing, and anything in between. By isolating each damping and air spring adjustment, the HELM has the ability to be tuned for all types of terrain and riding styles and gives the rider ultimate control of their suspension set-up.

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Why HELM compared to the "other guys"? HELM gets a bad wrap for being "difficult" to use and set up. Not so! The truth is, HELM has many of the same features as other popular brands - however, HELM's features are external and more easily adjusted without additional purchases or wildly-specific tools, giving you more control over your set-up from the comfort of your own workstand. Additionally, with HELM Air's minimum recommended psi as low as 30psi and HELM Coil's lightest spring working for 90lbs featherweights, we believe HELM is the best fork on the market for everyone, no matter your riding style or skill. Take your HELM from bike-to-bike with quick and easy travel adjustment, and fine tune the feel of the stroke with easy air volume adjustment, independent positive and negative air springs, and high speed/low speed compression and rebound damping. And best of all? 100% of Cane Creek HELM forks are hand-built and rider-tested in our facility in Western North Carolina by a team of highly-trained mechanics and engineers. Why does this matter? It's a rider, not a machine, building your fork. We know about leverage ratios, we know how suspension "should" feel, we each ride this exact same fork on our own bikes... and we know it makes a difference in quality, performance, and service.

Turns out, you can have your cake and eat it too.

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Use the HELM "cheat sheet" below to compare the best features of each model. And check out our Quick Set-Up video to get your HELM rolling ASAP.

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HELM Quick Set-Up Video

 

HELM Air

Wheel size: 27.5" and 27.5+"/29"

Spring: Air. Independently charge positive and negative air springs. Minimum recommended 30psi.

Damping: Independent, external high speed and low speed compression and independent, external low speed rebound

Crown offset: For 29" forks, you can choose between standard 51mm or reduced-offset 44mm. For 27.5" forks, standard 44mm offset.

Stanchion diameter: 35mm

Travel: Easily internally adjusted in 10mm increments. Optimized between 130mm-160mm of travel (29") and 140mm-170mm of travel (27.5").

Air volume: Easily internally adjusted using our air volume piston assembly. Air volume is set from the factory at 2 notches down (out of 8 possible positions), leaving you room to make the fork more or less progressive from it's factory tune

Axle: Quick release D-LOC keyed axle. Upgrade to new Bolt-On D-LOC axle with conversion kit.

Spacing: Boost (110mm)

Weight: 2070g (27.5") - 2080g (29")

Available options: HELM Air 29 | HELM Air 27.5

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Why HELM Air? HELM is the ultimate fork for the "tinker-er" or the rider who wants or needs complete control over his or her fork (aka: you!). Because of its low air psi capabilities (30psi minimum), lightweight and/or less aggressive riders will appreciate how well the fork can perform for them where other manufacturers' forks can't. Additionally, 8 "notches" of air volume adjustment (and a max 150psi) allows the heavier and/or more aggressive rider to feel appropriately supportive and progressive. Independently charging the positive and negative air springs also allows the rider to create a more supple feel off-the-top (first third of the stroke) without forsaking a supportive mid-stroke and progressive end-stroke. One of our favorite features of HELM is the ease of adjusting the fork's travel: you don't need to buy a new air spring, you simply add or remove "clips" (two included with the fork) to set the fork at your desired travel (max of 170mm). The fork is amazingly utilitarian, supremely adjustable and tunable, and unlike anything else on the market.

 

HELM Coil

 

Wheel size: 27.5" and 27.5+"/29"

Spring: Coil with spring pre-load adjustment. A 55lbs spring comes standard (ideal for riders 160-200lbs), but additional spring options include: 35lbs (90-120lbs rider), 45lbs (120-160lbs rider), and 65 (200-240lbs rider).

Damping: Independent, external high speed and low speed compression and independent, external low speed rebound

Crown offset: For 29" forks, you can choose between standard 51mm or reduced-offset 44mm. For 27.5" forks, standard 44mm offset.

Stanchion diameter: 35mm

Travel: Easily internally adjusted in 10mm increments. Optimized between 130mm-160mm of travel.

Axle: Quick release D-LOC keyed axle. Upgrade to new Bolt-On D-LOC axle with conversion kit.

Spacing: Boost (110mm)

Weight: 2260g (27.5") - 2340g (29")

Available options: HELM Coil 29 | HELM Coil 27.5

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Why HELM Coil? Coil suspension is making a massive resurgence in the mountain bike marketplace for a number of reasons. Coil forks allow the rider to have the benefits of coil throughout the suspension platform. Coil springs, as opposed to air springs, have a more linear feel throughout the entire stroke of the suspension (rather than progressive, which the Air fork provides). Why would you want a more linear feel? Coil suspension reduces stroke-fade (the feeling that you've lost support when the suspension heats up), completely mitigates friction (seal stiction) and improves small bump sensitivity (less "chattery" and smoother over the rough stuff). HELM Coil provides a more supportive mid-stroke and is inherently consistent, reliable and easy to use. The rider can "set it and forget it" - no need to remember to check your air pressure - it's easy to set-up, easy to use, and easier to maintain (check, check, and check!). Plus, you get the added adjustment and tuning benefits of HELM - high and low speed compression, low speed rebound, coil pre-load, and travel adjustment!

 

HELM Works Series 130

 

Wheel size: 27.5+"/29" only

Spring: Air. Independently charge positive and negative air springs. Minimum recommended 30psi.

Damping: Independent, external high speed and low speed compression and independent, external low speed rebound + Climb Switch technology

Crown offset: Hollow-pocket crown with a 44mm reduced offset.

Stanchion diameter: 35mm

Travel: Easily internally adjusted in 10mm increments with a maximum of 130mm of travel. Optimized at 130mm, but can be set-up at 120mm at time of purchase.

Axle: Bolt-on D-LOC keyed axle.

Spacing: Boost (110mm)

Weight: 1999g

Available options: HELM Works Series 130

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Why HELM Works Series 130? You know you want an HELM, but you're into short-travel, XC, "down country," light trail-style riding. Owners of short-travel bikes like the Yeti SB100, Giant Trance Advanced Pro, Santa Cruz Blur, and Trek Top Fuel rejoice! You now have a HELM fork option for your shorter travel 29" bike. The HELM Work Series 130 is equipped with all-new, enhanced parts including a hollow anodized shorter offset crown, bolt-on D-LOC axle, high speed compression Climb Switch (hello, pedaling efficiency!), and optimized internals including both a shorter compression rod and damper rod. However, the HELM Works Series 130 shares the same 35mm stanchions as the HELM 27.5 and HELM 29 forks, making it stiffer than its competition. The optimized features of HELM Works Series 130 bring 100 grams of weight savings over HELM Air 29. Shipping from our factory in your choice of 120mm or 130mm of travel, your XC shred sled will be ready to go faster than you can define "down country." It's time to party like it's... 1999 grams.