Integrated cables are a trend that has been taking over all types of racing handlebars for some years now. "There has been a huge demand for tidy bikes for some time now," summarised Canyon Product Manager Daniel Heyder in the TOUR report on system integration. According to this, the focus of racing cyclists is on a clean look, with the question of ease of maintenance taking a back seat for many.
With the new HCR system (Hidden Cable Routing), Cane Creek now offers a solution that takes both perspectives into account. The concept consists of an aluminium stem and headset, which can be used together or separately. As with comparable designs, the brake lines and shift cables are routed into the head tube via a channel under the stem. The scope of delivery includes slotted spacers (2x 5mm, 1x 10 mm) and an aluminium headset cap. A special seal is designed to prevent water and dirt from entering the headset.
Optimised for wireless circuits
The US manufacturer states a weight of 160 grams for the stem in the 90 millimetre version, with a total of six lengths available (70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 mm). The headset including 15-millimetre spacers weighs 147 grams. The system is compatible with integrated (IS) and external solutions (EC) - for head tubes with an inner diameter of 44 or 52 millimetres and for 1 1/8 or 1.5 inch steerer tubes. Cane Creek emphasises that the system is optimised for electronic groupsets, but can also be used with mechanical drivetrains.
The HCR system is available for 217.90 euros. The individual prices for the headset and stem are 130.95 and 86.95 euros respectively.
Julian Schultz
Editor
