1,634g with wide-format tubeless rims and burly hubs
e*thirteen's new TRS Race wheelset has a 1,609g claimed weight (for a 27.5in size) thanks to aggressively machined aluminum rims and trick hubs of its own design
e*thirteen's new TRS Race wheelset has a 1,609g claimed weight (for a 27.5in size) thanks to aggressively machined aluminum rims and trick hubs of its own design - James Huang/Future Publishing
Selectively machining away excess material shaves weight while leaving the spoke holes strong to resist pull-through - James Huang/Future Publishing
Rather than resort to an off-the-shelf model or leave the design to a third party, e*thirteen instead uses its own hubs - and they're more impressive the further you dig into them - James Huang/Future Publishing
While most hubs these days use aluminum axles in an effort to bring the weight down, e*thirteen has instead prioritized stiffness and bearing durabilty by utilizing a stiffer steel axle - James Huang/Future Publishing
e*thirteen's new TRS Race single-ring crank features a 30mm-diameter aluminum spindle and a new threaded bearing preload adjuster. Claimed weight is 665g including a single 34-tooth chainring and threaded bottom bracket - James Huang/Future Publishing
e*thirteen's integrated Guidering M chainring-and-spider combo weighs just 75g, according to company claims - James Huang/Future Publishing
e*thirteen has updated its cranksets with new bearing preload collars that are supposedly easier to use and better sealed - James Huang/Future Publishing
The e*thirteen TRS crank is aimed at the enduro crowd, with its reasonable 710g weight (with 34-tooth chainring and bottom bracket), big 30mm diameter aluminum spindle and burly machined aluminum arms - James Huang/Future Publishing
e*thirteen's crankarms all feature distinctive styling that's impossible to mistake for another brand - James Huang/Future Publishing
2x cranksets may be dropping in popularity but they still offer a wider gearing range than any 1x setup. Claimed weight on *thirteen's base-level TRS crank is 797g with a 36/22-tooth chainring setup and bottom bracket - James Huang/Future Publishing
e*thirteen says sales of its thick-thin Guiderings are taking off with integrated models showing some of the most popularity - James Huang/Future Publishing
The more downhill-oriented e*thirteen LG1 Race crankset drops 60g compared to the standard LG1 thanks to more aggressive machining - James Huang/Future Publishing
The e*thirteen LG1 cranks now feature a spiderless chainring design that can still be used with 104mm BCD bashguards - James Huang/Future Publishing
e*thirteen fits its LG1 Race pedals with adjustable spin control, replaceable aluminum pins, and modular polycarbonate-and-aluminum platforms - James Huang/Future Publishing
e*thirteen says its new carbon fiber chain guides can actually absorb more impact energy than its aluminum models - James Huang/Future Publishing
Soft rubber rollers keep things moving quietly - James Huang/Future Publishing
Once known mainly for its chainguides, e*thirteen continues to expand its range of cranks, pedals, chainrings and wheelsets. New for this season is the TRS Race wheelset, which has 23.4mm wide tubeless rims, speedy hubs, easy serviceability and a claimed weight of just 1,634g for the 27.5in (650b) size.
Trimming the fat
E*thirteen literally shaved the weight to hit that impressive number, machining away excess aluminium in between the spoke holes much like Mavic, Bontrager, and Fulcrum have done in the past. In addition to shedding extra grams, the bare aluminium sections left behind lend an admittedly trick appearance to the tubeless-compatible rims. Claimed inner/outer width is 23.4mm/28mm.
E*thirteen laces those rims with quad-butted stainless steel spokes to its own TRS Race hubset, which features enormous 77mm diameter flanges and carbon fibre centre sections that the company says improves wheel stiffness and responsiveness. Helping things along even further in that department is a six-degree engagement speed on the rear hub.
Selectively machining away excess material shaves weight while still leaving the spoke holes strong to resist pull-through: selectively machining away excess material shaves weight while still leaving the spoke holes strong to resist pull-through - James Huang/Future Publishing
We'll have to wait until we've got our hands on a long-term sample to verify these claims, but long-term durability on the hubs is promising. Compared to most hubs these days, which rely on oversized aluminium axles with pop-on caps, e*thirteen has gone a more conservative route with steel axles and ends that firmly thread into place to provide a more solid connection between the dropouts. New pressurised seals have been added this year in response to e*thirteen's UK market, too, the aluminium freehub bodies are armoured with steel splines to prevent the cogs from digging in, and the whole setup rolls on angular contact bearings.
While most hubs these days use aluminum axles in an effort to bring the weight down, e*thirteen has instead prioritized stiffness and bearing durabilty by utilizing a stiffer steel axle: while most hubs these days use aluminum axles in an effort to bring the weight down, e*thirteen has instead prioritized stiffness and bearing durabilty by utilizing a stiffer steel axle - James Huang/Future Publishing
In addition to the 1,634g 27.5in set, e*thirteen will also offer the TRS Race wheels in 26in and 29in diameters, too. Claimed weight on those is 1,575g and 1,705g respectively, and all versions will include both standard Shimano/SRAM and SRAM XD driver bodies, spare spokes and nipples, and multiple axle end caps.
Retail price is US$1,199 across the board (international pricing to be confirmed) with expected availability around 1 May.
New TRS Race cranks and chainguides
Accompanying the new TRS Race wheels are the new TRS Race crankset and chainguide.
The TRS Race crank once again features e*thirteen's 30mm diameter aluminium spindle but with more aggressively machined forged aluminium arms that help bring the claimed weight down to just 665g including a 34-tooth spiderless chainring and bottom bracket. Speaking of which, e*thirteen's spindle design is similar to the 386 EVO format in that it'll work with a wide range of shell standards, including standard threaded, BB92, BB30 and PF30.
e*thirteen's new trs race single-ring crank features a 30mm-diameter aluminum spindle and a new threaded bearing preload adjuster. claimed weight is 665g including a single 34-tooth chainring and threaded bottom bracket: e*thirteen's new trs race single-ring crank features a 30mm-diameter aluminum spindle and a new threaded bearing preload adjuster. claimed weight is 665g including a single 34-tooth chainring and threaded bottom bracket - James Huang/Future Publishing
1x versions will be available with 28-38T chainring sizes, all with alternating thick-thin tooth profiles for use without chainguides. There will also be a double option available in 22/36T or 24/38T sizes. Retail price is US$369 without bottom bracket cups.
e*thirteen's integrated guidering m chainring-and-spider combo weighs just 75g according to company claims: e*thirteen's integrated guidering m chainring-and-spider combo weighs just 75g according to company claims - James Huang/Future Publishing
Security-minded riders who want to stick with their double-chainring drivetrains will also get the new TRS Race Dual Guide, which is built with a lightweight ISCG05 or threaded-compatible carbon fibre boomerang, red anodised aluminium hardware, and a quiet-running stepped lower roller.
e*thirteen says its new carbon fiber chain guides can actually absorb more impact energy than its aluminum models: e*thirteen says its new carbon fiber chain guides can actually absorb more impact energy than its aluminum models - James Huang/Future Publishing
E*thirteen claims the new carbon fibre boomerang is 30 percent stronger than the equivalent aluminium piece, while weighing just 74g. An even-lighter single-ring version is also available, which weighs just 58g.
Retail price for the dual guide is US$219. The single-ring version is slightly cheaper at US$199. International pricing to be confirmed.
Other tweaks
E*thirteen has also made some improvements to other components. TRS and LG1 aluminium crank spindles will now use a longer and less aggressive one-degree taper for a more secure fit that simultaneously requires less torque to install, LG1 cranks switch to a standard spiderless chainring for a lighter and stiffer setup, bottom bracket preload collars are now easier to install and adjust, and the popular Guidering M thick-thin chainrings will soon be available in an anodised blue finish.
e*thirteen's crankarms all feature distinctive styling that's impossible to mistake for another brand: e*thirteen's crankarms all feature distinctive styling that's impossible to mistake for another brand - James Huang/Future Publishing
James Huang is BikeRadar's former technical editor. After leaving BikeRadar in 2016, he worked at CyclingTips and Escape Collective. He now runs the Substack cycling publication N-1 Bikes.
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