EB16: e*thirteen goes eagle hunting with new TRS Plus Cassette, drops into dropper posts, updates chainguides

Want a way to boost the range of your drivetrain without replacing the whole thing? Take a look at the new e*thirteen TRS Race cassette. Expanding on the range of the current TRS Plus, the new Race cassette kicks things up a notch with a new 9-46t range. That creates a cassette that is lighter, cheaper, and also offers a slightly wider range than SRAM’s new Eagle cassette.

Maybe best of all, it’s still compatible with all of the current 11 speed drivetrains…

Using a similar assembly to the current TRS Plus cassette, the TRS Race varies slightly to make it even lighter. The largest three cogs are machined from one piece of aluminum and the final assembly fits onto a standard SRAM XD free hub body and is held in place with a lockring. The second chunk of gears is now machined from a solid piece of steel resulting in a more durable and lighter weight set of gears. This piece locks into the aluminum base with multiple locking tabs.

We can’t deny the performance of the SRAM Eagle drivetrain, but the e*thirteen cassette makes a compelling case for keeping that 11 speed drivetrain. Since it is smaller, the cassette comes in a 276g – SRAM’s top of the line XX1 Eagle cassette measures 360g. It also requires less chain and a doesn’t need a bigger derailleur, something e*thirteen will save you up to a half pound. Comparing the gearing with a 30t ring and 27.5″ wheels, the Eagle cassette has a min/max range of 0.62/3.11 while the TRSR comes in at 0.68/3.46 which they say works out to a 511% range.

And then there’s the price. At $350 it isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s still $70 less than an XX1 Eagle cassette and will save you money since you don’t have to replace the whole drivetrain. e*thirteen will also offer the ability to replace just the aluminum section of the cassette for $109 which should prolong the life of the cassette. Available in November, the cassette will join the TRS Plus 9-44 11 speed and 9-42 10 speed cassettes at $279.

Elsewhere on the bike, e*thirteen is working their magic on the world of seat posts. This seemed to be the eurobike of droppers with a number of brands showing new or revised droppers, and now e*thirteen can add their name to that list. Using a simple cable actuated spring, the post was designed with user serviceability and durability in mind.

Because of that, it uses a four position locking system at 0, 75, 110, and 150mm intervals. At the moment the posts will only be offered in 150mm and in 30.9 and 31.6mm sizes.

The lever is a shifter style which will have a recessed window for grip tape inserts for production. Mounted with clamps or the Matchmaker, the lever allows you to adjust the clocking on the paddle for dialing in the ergonomics. Featuring a simple two bolt head, the post uses a 15mm offset.

Coming in at 590g for the lever, post, and cable and housing, the dropper will sell for $299 and ship around December.

On the chain guide side, e*thirteen has a new TRS Race two bolt upper guide which offers lightweight chain guidance using just two bolts of the ISCG 05 platform. The $99 guide includes the new upper guide that makes its way across the line and uses a quick release design that pushes up from the bottom instead of the previous version with a locking clip. Chain guides have also been updated to offer more frame and tire clearance when used on Boost bikes.

bythehive.com