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e*thirteen Helix R cassettes spin world’s widest 1x range for 11 or 12 speeds

e*thirteen Helix R wide-range lightweight cassette, e13 12-speed or 11-speed
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New e*thirteen Helix R cassettes take high-performance wide-range drivetrain upgrades to another level, with lighter weights, improved shifting and a new PVD treatment that doubles durability. Offering more range than any other cassette on the market, the 12-speed 9-50T will extend your SRAM Eagle or latest Shimano drivetrains at a better price. And the 11-speed 9-46T version will take your previous generation drivetrain further than ever before.

e*thirteen Helix R cassette, wide range for Shimano or SRAM MTB

Helix is essentially e*thirteen’s next generation in aftermarket cassette upgrades following TRS+. The same wide 556% 9-50T 12-speed and 511% 9-46T 11-speed gear ranges remain, as does their compatibility with all existing SRAM XD & XDR driver-equipped wheelsets. And while TRS+ cassettes were first developed for SRAM compatibility, then later OK-ed for Shimano, new shaping means better all-around compatibility with e*thirteen Helix.

e*thirteen Helix R wide-range lightweight cassette, e13 12-speed or 11-speed
c. e*thirteen

Actual gearing steps remain the same (12-sp: 9,11,13,15,17,20,23,27,31,36,42,50 & 11-sp: 9,11,13,15,17,20,24,28,33,39,46). Relying on the tiny 9-tooth cog, e*thirteen says will allow you to run smaller chainrings for max hill climbing range, without losing top-end speed, plus dropping drivetrain weight overall and improving ground clearance.

e*thirteen Helix R wide-range lightweight cassette, e13 12-speed or 11-speed, replaceable cog clusters

The Helix cassettes still use a separate machined, nickel-plated steel cog cluster for the ten smallest gears and aluminum for the two largest gears, that can be replaced individually. Since the big alloy gears often get the most wear, that makes it more economical & efficient to replace just those two vs. expensive one-piece Eagle cassettes that have to be replaced when only the top cogs are significantly worn.

What’s new vs. TRS+?

e*thirteen Helix R wide-range lightweight cassette, e13 12-speed or 11-speed, on-bike
photo by Jarret Lindal Media

The most obvious difference are new anodized color options for the big aluminum teeth and a shiny silver nickel-plated coating for the steel cogs. Less apparent though, the new blue Intergalactic finish with hints of rainbow around the edges is an all-new PVD Film (physical vapor deposition) coating that claims to “double the durability” when compared to the standard anodized finish. It costs just $30 more, making it a pretty good bet on value if durability claims hold out in real world conditions.

e*thirteen Helix R wide-range lightweight cassette, e13 12-speed or 11-speed, machining

The first change you will feel is substantial weight savings. The Helix R 12sp is 60g lighter than the TRS+ version before, down to 345g now. The Helix R 11sp gets even lighter, saving 80g over TRS+, now down to 325g.

e*thirteen Helix R wide-range lightweight cassette, e13 12-speed or 11-speed, XDR driver compatible

Weight saving comes from more complex machining, but also a new optimized interface between the separate steel and aluminum gear clusters. With newly revised tooth shaping also comes improved shifting and compatibility.

e*thirteen Helix R wide-range lightweight cassette, e13 12-speed or 11-speed, XTR-ready

Especially with 12-speed drivetrains, e*thirteen Helix now promises complete Shimano 12 compatibility (and the ability to upgrade to Shimano 12 without having to worry with Micro Spline.)

e*thirteen Helix R cassettes – Pricing & availability

e*thirteen Helix R wide-range lightweight cassette, e13 12-speed or 11-speed, riding
photo by Jarret Lindal Media

The new 12-speed Helix R cassette is now available only in 9-50T (no more 12sp 11-46T option), and the 11-speed in 9-46T, with shipping starting next week.

e*thirteen Helix R wide-range lightweight cassette, e13 12-speed or 11-speed, ano colors

The Helix cassettes all retail for the same $290 / 290€ in standard anodized dark Gray, Bronze, Eggplant purple, or Naranja orange.

The longer wearing Intergalactic blue cassettes sell for $320 / 320€.

e*thirteen Helix R wide-range lightweight cassette, e13 12-speed or 11-speed, Itergalactic blue

For when either half of your cassette does wear out… replacement steel clusters sell separately for $160, and the 2-cog alloy clusters start at $130.

eThirteen.com

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Klaster_1
Klaster_1
3 years ago

Similar weight savings for e*13 1×11 road offerings would be nice, namely 3T Bailout or e*13 branded variant of.

Greg
Greg
3 years ago

… So $320 for the cassette, or $290 total for the two halves separately. Is there another $30 piece I’m overlooking?

Cheese
Cheese
3 years ago
Reply to  Greg

“The Helix cassettes all retail for the same $290”

blahblah1233445
3 years ago

Is there a person for whom 12s 10-50 is not big enough of a range? Why not give us 10-46 and 10-42 cassettes?

Trybo Bike Tech
Trybo Bike Tech
3 years ago

That is not worlds widest range cassette. That honor goes to KCNC 9-52T which has been available for quite some time now. 9-50 is also commonly available from chinese makers.

Dr Sweets
Dr Sweets
3 years ago
Reply to  Cory Benson

The KCNC also requires the acquisition of a new SRAM derailleur to clear the 52 cog. Also these cassettes are tougher to come by in the US.

stevie962870553
3 years ago

now bring this updated build to the XCX cassettes!

Pete
Pete
3 years ago

When are the 7t cogs dropping?

Mike
Mike
3 years ago

Can I use the 9-46 cassette with a 46T front chainring on my Slx groupset , that would be everything I need.

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