The Cane Creek Hellbender 70 Lite is an ultralight headset built for riders who want to shed real weight without giving up the durability and performance of a quality bearing system. The secret is the Hellbender LITE bearing, a hybrid aluminum/steel sealed cartridge bearing that is 30% lighter than conventional headset bearings. Pair that with the included HB70 Lite preload assembly, which is half the weight of standard preload hardware, and the result is a headset that weighs in at just 54g in IS configuration (vs 81g for the standard IS Hellbender 70). Every other detail has been thought through. The alloy cups are internally contoured and relieved to strip additional material without sacrificing strength, the dual-seal alloy crown race delivers excellent sealing with low friction, and the carbon-friendly captured compression ring keeps installation clean and simple.
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Features:
- Hellbender LITE hybrid aluminum/steel bearings — 30% lighter than conventional headset bearings
- Includes HB70 Lite preload assembly — half the weight of standard preload hardware
- 6061 T-6 aluminum cups, internally contoured and relieved to minimise weight and maximise strength
- Low-friction upper bearing seal fully captured by the top cover — no loose parts
- Alloy dual-seal crown race for excellent sealing efficiency with low friction
- Carbon-friendly captured compression ring
- Available in various IS cup configurations to suit a wide range of frame standards
- Weight: 54g (vs. 81g for standard IS Hellbender 70)
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Specifications:
Cups & Covers: 6061 T-6 Aluminum
Crown Race: Alloy Dual-Seal
Bearings: Hellbender LITE Hybrid Aluminum/Steel Sealed Cartridge
Compression Ring: Carbon-Friendly Captured
Weight (IS): 54g
Color: Black
Part Numbers:
BAA2171K – IS41/28.6 | IS52/40
BAA2172K – IS42/28.6 | IS52/40
BAA2173K – IS41/28.6 | IS47/33
BAA2174K – IS42/28.6 | IS47/33
BAA2471 – IS42/28.6 | IS49.5/40.5 - Specialized Crux/Aethos
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Our thoughts:
The Hellbender 70 Lite is genuinely impressive for weight-conscious builds. The LITE bearing design is a smart piece of engineering that delivers real grams saved without any compromise in feel or longevity. Installation is clean and straightforward, and the dual-seal crown race does a solid job of keeping things running smoothly over time. If you're building a lightweight XC or gravel rig and want a headset that won't be the weak link, this is one of the best options at this price point.