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eThirteen debuts Close Range Cassette, XC tire, neat tools & more

e-thirteen ultra wide range mtb cassette
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e*Thirteen has two new cassettes, offering both the widest range and the closest range…of any modern wide range cassette. Up top is the new 9-52, which pairs e13’s ultra-small 9-tooth cog starter with a new 52-tooth large cog, giving them a claimed 578% range…a big jump compared to the 520% and 510% of SRAM and Shimano’s widest cassettes, respectively.

The cassettes use their two-piece design, with the two largest cogs being aluminum, and the main cluster being machined from steel. They fit to a SRAM XD freehub body, and if you already have the 9-50 cassette, you can swap in the new 43-52 alloy bit to get the increased range.

e-thirteen helix race close range cassette

But the more interesting one might be this “close range” cassette that starts at 13 and goes to 52. That’s a narrower range, but it gives them smaller gear steps, which they prioritized putting near the top (big) end of the cassette for easier cadence management.

e-thirteen helix race close range cassette

The idea is to give e-mountain bikers a more useful cassette that shifts easier under load, but it also works just fine for 100% human powered bikes, too. Here’s how it compares, cog by cog:

  • Helix Race Close Ratio: 13-15-17-19-22-25-28-32-36-40-45-52
  • Helix Race Wide Range: 9-11-13-15-17-20-23-27-31-36-43-52
  • SRAM Eagle 10-52: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-38-44-52

And here’s what that looks like in a chart:

The new wide range cassette weighs in at 392g, and the close range is 467g as the cogs are bigger and it’s reinforced for e-bike use. Both come in five anodized color options, too.

e-thirteen e-MTB chainrings

In other news, they’ve expanded their chainring lineup to include e-bike chainrings for Bosch, Fazua, Brose, and Shimano. They, too, will come in all the colors, so you can match your drivetrain up…

e-thirteen dropper seatpost with anodized color options for collars and top clamps.

…with new anodized color options for their dropper seatpost collars and top clamps, too.

e-thirteen modular presta and schrader tubeless valve stem

Their new Schrader Quick Fill valve stem uses a modular design that converts from Presta to a valve-free, Schrader-sized port for easier tubeless setup…or just using it with any pump you have available.

e-thirteen tire levers with integrated tire plugger tool

Their first entry into the tool category is a tire lever that splits open to give you two levers and reveal a tire plugger tool inside, complete with valve core remover.

e-thirteen xc mountain bike tire

The new e-Thirteen Optimus is their XC/downcountry tire, with a lower profile center section of tightly spaced knobs transitioning to taller side knobs for hard cornering. It comes in two versions, a 120tpi XC casing for the most supple performance, and a Trail version with more supportive 72tpi casing and nylon breaker under the tread cap for added puncture protection.

Claimed weight is 812g (XC) and 852g (TR) for 29er, and 698g / 766g for 27.5, all available only in a 2.4″ width. It’s a dual compound rubber with 50a side knobs and 56a center section. MSRP is $64.95.

eThirteen.com

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will
will
8 months ago

honestly their cassettes price is close enough to eagle that i’d rather get eagle for a bit more – it lasts much longer. these used to be 289USD not so long ago with slightly less range (the older ones are also bumped up)

garabuk is a bit of a better deal even

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 months ago
Reply to  will

Can’t beat the ability to buy these in parts, also, these are lighter. This also isn’t the same as the old cassette, they last longer now

myke
myke
8 months ago
Reply to  will

during the pandemic that was not the case. I could not get a sram cassette for a reasonable price. There are a few benefits with E13 and one big drawback. Price, compatibility, and repair ability and pluses. Also, the E13 seems more durable. The huge drawback is installation can be a B!

Garabuk does not shift as well as E13. if you are using this with Shimano before you have XD driver-based wheels, E13 wins again.

blablabla
blablabla
8 months ago

I read “close-range 12s cassette” and my eyes shined. Then I saw that they cut off the hard gears and disappointment hit hard. Already using a 36T N-W chainring and the 50T gear at the back is too light.I was hoping for a 10-46, but naah…

Greg
Greg
8 months ago
Reply to  blablabla

They already make a 9-46 and 9-45

Zee
Zee
8 months ago
Reply to  blablabla

That’s where I thought they were going as well. I live in the midwest and am still running 11spd on my mountain bike. 34T up front with 11-42 in the rear. I’m not sure where around here I would use anything wider than that, and I cant fit a larger chainring.

Dinger
Dinger
8 months ago
Reply to  blablabla

Shimano has 12-speed XT 10-45T that’s far less $$ than any of these.

Mike
Mike
8 months ago
Reply to  Dinger

I know about SH 10-45, but did You factor the price of a micro-spline freehub too? It’s ~90€ here.

Also – Sram x-dome cassettes are somehow much easier to clean, thanks to their ’empty inside’ construction. And last, but not least – the XTR and XT 12s shifters are abyssmal – broke 3 already and moved to X01. I love the double down-shift thingy, but not at a cost of a malfunctioning shifter.
It’s funny how 9s XTR was awesome, then 10s sucked, 11s was probably the best Shimano ever done and 12s again is rubbish.

jonathan
jonathan
8 months ago
Reply to  Mike

I’ve gone through 3 XT shifters myself as well. I’ve got Deore on there now, but next go round I’m sticking a microshift thumbie on there, sigh.

Troy
Troy
8 months ago

A XC tire that is a 2.4 and weighs in at 812g, nope and nope. Come out with the some 2.2 and 2.3 and make them in the 550-650g range and people might buy them.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 months ago

Still hoping they make road range cassettes for 2x at some point. I’d love to have a 10-30 and 10-36 with being able to replace the biggest cogs.

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