Cane Creek Helm 29/27.5 Fork - It's What The People Wanted!

Ever since Cane Creek introduced their first ever suspension fork, the Cane Creek Helm, riders and journalists threw there hands up in a fit that it was only offered in a 27.5" wheel model. After a year of production under their belt, Cane Creek is now offering a 29" / 27.5" model Helm fork! A lot of riders out there, including some of us at the shop that are partial to the Yeti SB5.5 and the Evil Wreckoning, prefer 29 inch wheels. And for those Cane Creek fans out there, you can now set up your 29 and 27.5+ mountain bikes with Cane Creek suspension front and rear! 

Left: Helm 29/27.5+ Right: Helm 27.5 

The HELM 29/27.5+ is available in both air and coil sprung versions with up to 160mm of travel - the coil version being easily adjustable from 130mm to 160mm and the air version from 100mm to 160mm. Both versions come in a gunmetal grey colorway with gunmetal, black and gold graphics.

“Over the last year we’ve heard loud and clear that riders on 29er and 27.5+ bikes want the opportunity to ride a HELM,” said Sam Anderson, product manager for Cane Creek. “More aggressive, big-wheel bikes are hitting the market every day and, with this fork, riders on those bikes will have the option for a 29/27.5+ fork that offers superb off-the-top compliance combined with the unmatched mid-stroke support and control that riders have raved about with the HELM 27.5.”

The original HELM 27.5, which was released in March of 2017, has gained universally positive reviews in the year since its launch with particular attention paid to the fork’s superb ride quality - particularly when pushed hard through technical, aggressive terrain - as well as its adjustability and quality. Each HELM fork is assembled by hand in Cane Creek’s Asheville North Carolina factory and tested three times before it leaves the facility.

The HELM 29/27.5+ maintains all of the same functional characteristics of the original 27.5 fork - including a closed cartridge monotube damper, seven-way adjustability and rider adjustable travel - with the addition of a 51mm offset and dimensionally adjusted lowers to accommodate the larger wheel and tire size.

“The HELM 27.5 was the result of a lot of hard work and the overwhelmingly positive response over the last year has been great to see,” said Brent Graves, president and CEO of Cane Creek. “With the HELM 29/27.5+ we are building on that foundation to bring this outstanding fork to even more riders. It’s something we’re all really excited about.” 

The HELM 29/27.5+ will retail for the same price as their 27.5 counterparts in both air and coil sprung versions, and is available for purchase beginning in April through Cane Creek retailers and distributors.

HELM 29/27.5+ Specifications

Damper: Closed-cartridge monotube damper

Spring: Air-sprung and coil-sprung versions available

Offset: 51mm

Travel: Air: 100mm - 160mm, Coil: 130mm - 160mm

Weight: Air: 2080 grams / 160mm, Coil: 2340 grams / 160mm with 55lb Spring 

Max Tire Size: 29’ x 2.5”, 27.5” x 2.9”

Axle Spacing: 15mm x 110mm boost spacing

Adjustments: 7-way adjustability - 10 positions of high speed compression , 20 positions of low speed compression, 15 positions of low speed rebound, 9 positions volume reduction, internal travel adjustment and independently adjustable positive and negative air chambers (air sprung version only).

Color: Gunmetal Grey

About Cane Creek Cycling Components

Cane Creek Cycling Components is a manufacturer of premium cycling products headquartered in Fletcher, NC. The company was founded in 1974 as the North American headquarters of Japanese brake manufacturer Dia-Compe. In 1992 the company was purchased by its employees and was subsequently renamed Cane Creek Cycling Components. Over the years, Cane Creek has introduced several groundbreaking products – including the original AheadSet threadless headset and the revolutionary Double Barrel Shock.

The company remains employee owned by cyclists passionate about developing and manufacturing innovative products – many of which are hand assembled in their facility in the mountains of North Carolina.

What Inspired Cane Creek To Design The Helm Fork?