Cane Creek Helm Mk II Gets Internal Updates

Cane Creek launches the Helm Mk II, the first major revision since it launched its air and coil spring versions.

While it’s the internals that have changed in a variety of important ways, to celebrate the launch, Cane Creek has also announced a Hot Pink limited edition of the fork with only 50 units available. Let’s start with that.

That’s probably woken you up, right? This brightest of pinks is a far cry from the ‘heritage’ pistachio and brown of Fox’s latest limited edition releases, and with such varying takes on stand out colours, we’re left clueless as to what the next year’s on trend colours for bikes are going to be. Anyway, enough of the appearances, because it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

The Helm MkII includes a newly designed damper featuring a new compression and mid-valve circuit promise increased support and control, while a new SKF oil seal head and 2.5 weight damper oil aim to reduce friction and provide a more supple ride-feel.

The air spring has also seen a significant redesign with a new air piston designed to reduce friction, an increased air volume for better traction and suppleness, and a threadless seal head for easier travel change. In addition to the updated damper and air spring, the Helm MkII features a variety of external usability improvements including easier to turn knobs and a D-LOC bolt-on axle. You may recall that when we reviewed the Helm Air, we noted the extensive tuneability of the fork, with lots of things to adjust. None of them stood out as being an issue, but easier is always better, surely?

The fork also includes low-friction SKF wiper seals on the castings. While these are sometimes an after market option, they’re included here, just as they are in the 2020 RockShox Lyrik.

Features that carry over from the original HELM fork include a tokenless air volume adjustment design, independently adjustable positive and negative air chambers on the air spring and rider-adjustable travel.

Helm MkII 29/27.5+ Features

• £899/$899 ($950 for hot pink)
• air and coil sprung versions
• 51mm offset option
• 44mm offset option
• adjustable from 130mm to 160mm of travel
• gloss black finish with matte black stickers
• hot pink launch edition, 50 units only
• aftermarket sticker kits in brushed silver and gold

Helm MkII 27.5 Features

• £899/$899
• air and coil sprung versions
• 44mm offset only
• adjustable from 130mm to 170mm of travel
• matte black finish with gloss black stickers
• aftermarket sticker kits in brushed silver and gold

Cane Creek Helm Mark II Specification

• WEIGHT 2080g (29 Air) | 2340g (29 Coil)
• STANCHION 35mm
• WHEEL SIZE 29” and 27.5”
• MAX TYRE SIZE
  • 29” – 64mm wide by 749mm tall
  • 29” w/ 27.5+ – 75mm wide by 739mm tall
  • 27.5” – 65mm Wide by 714mm tall
• HUB SPACING 15x110mm BOOST spacing
• ATC / OFFSET
  • 29” – 568mm at 160mm Travel / 44mm and 51mm options
  • 27.5” – 553mm at 160mm Travel / 44mm Only
• DAMPER
  • High Speed Compression – 10 Positions
  • Low Speed Compression – 17 Positions
  • Low Speed Rebound – 10 Positions
• AXLE “D-Loc” 15mm Bolt-on thru axle, Unique to Helm
• Spring Type “Double Air” Spring System with independent positive and negative chamber
• Traditional Coil Spring

“The development of the HELM MKII was all about reducing friction and providing the most supple and responsive fork for riders,” said Jeff LaForge, senior design engineer at Cane Creek. “The result is a fork that’s at home on the rowdiest trails out there while providing an incredible range of adjustability and versatility for different riding styles and rider weights – all without compromising performance.”

The Cane Creek Helm MKII is on sale now for £899/$899 while the Hot Pink limited edition retails for $950. Both are available now through Cane Creek retailers and distributors or factory-direct. The UK distributor is Extra.

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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