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