A fast look on the state of the mountain bike in 2024 will reveal numerous high-pivot designs. One of many motivations for the most recent crop of high-pivot bikes is their capability to mitigate chain progress and pedal kickback – however what for those who didn’t want a wholly new body design to do it? What if it was so simple as altering your hub?
That’s what the brand new e*13 Sidekick hub guarantees, nicely, that and extra. By decoupling the drivetrain from the rear wheel when coasting, the Sidekick system claims to cut back drag, noise, and vibration whereas enhancing suspension efficiency by “eliminating pedal kickback in practically all conditions”.
Sounds good? Let’s dig in.
How Does Sidekick Work?
Sidekick begins with a proprietary freehub mechanism that incorporates an additional pawl. The pawl is on a ‘timed pusher’ which permits the drive pawls to retract from the ratchet ring when coasting. Primarily, the drive pawls can slide up and down ramps on the pusher a certain quantity earlier than sliding all the best way as much as interact the drive ring. However till the drive pawls interact the drive ring, the wheel is free to rotate, separated from the drivetrain.
For the system to work, there must be a deadband that permits the wheel to rotate earlier than the pawls interact. Since not all riders and frames will want or need the identical quantity of deadband, it may be modified with out instruments from 12º to 15º or 18º.
Advantages
To validate the system, e*13 has completed in depth testing with a workforce of extraordinarily gifted racers together with Aaron Gwin, Rónán Dunne, Rémy Métailler, Fabien Barel, and extra. Utilizing a BYB telemetry system with a 1000Hz/sec sampling charge, e*13 discovered that the Sidekick permits riders to spend 7% extra time within the mid-stroke of the suspension vary (11-70%), whereas permitting 44% extra (cumulative) use of the shock journey in that vary.
Sidekick was additionally liable for 20% much less crank motion than a conventional hub, which is the place the elimination of pedal kickback comes into play.
Claimed Rider Consolation & Pace Advantages
Assists riders to take care of a impartial place on downhills
Flat pedal riders will expertise much less kickback on the pedals, offering a planted really feel with extra consolation and management
Eliminates drivetrain clatter and chain vibration when descending
Permits for smoother and quieter shifting
Whisper quiet when freewheeling
Decreased drag equals free rolling pace
Claimed Suspension Efficiency Advantages
Eliminates pedal kickback in practically all conditions, giving a “chainless” really feel whereas descending
No change is required in rear shock compression and rebound tune
Simplifies suspension setup window by permitting free suspension motion (no pedal kickback!)
Extra lively suspension whereas braking
Spend as much as 50% extra time within the mid-stroke (candy spot) of rear wheel journey giving the sensation of extra out there journey
How Does Sidekick Evaluate to Different Merchandise like Ochain?
I requested this query to e*13 co-owner and engineer, Greg Thrash, because it appeared like two merchandise with a really related aim. In accordance with Greg, “essentially the most vital distinction is how the 2 gadgets mitigate kickback… with Sidekick, the cassette has to rotate by the deadband earlier than the ratchet can interact, so there’s zero resistance to chain motion throughout that interval. With O-chain, these actions are resisted by a spring. So quick, dramatic suspension occasions that feed stress into the chain don’t have an effect on the suspension with Sidekick, whereas with O-chain, they could be blunted by the spring however are nonetheless current.
A secondary impact, however in all probability what you discover essentially the most, is that the conventional chain vibration and noise you understand as you experience over tough surfaces simply isn’t there for the reason that cassette can rock on the axle freely each ahead and backward with none intermittent ratchet engagements.
On high of that the hub is sort of silent. There’s a single pawl within the system that makes it work, nevertheless it has a really mild spring activating it, so you may’t hear it working over the sound of your tires on the bottom.
Between the tremendous low drag pawl and your suspension working higher, your bike appears to roll tremendous quick, corners higher, carries extra pace; all the pieces appears to work higher.”
Who’s Sidekick for?
Lots of these causes are additionally why e*13 is advertising this to extra than simply downhill racers. Promoting it as useful for all the pieces from aggressive short-travel path bikes to full DH bikes, in addition to Class 1 ebikes, the Sidekick system has advantages for a variety of riders. Specifically, improved suspension efficiency, decrease drag, much less noise, and lowered fatigue.
What About Excessive Engagement Hubs?
It appears the bike trade has been pushing relentlessly towards larger and faster-engaging hubs. The Sidekick system appears to fly within the face of that, so what provides? In accordance with e*13, whereas these high-engagement hubs may make it easier to out of a good technical spot, they gained’t enhance suspension efficiency. In reality, they could damage it stating, “whereas coasting at 15 mph (25 kph) a hub with 1-degree engagement can interact over 1000 occasions per second, resulting in vital pedal kickback and poor suspension efficiency. A hub with 18-degree engagement in the identical situation can interact over 60 occasions per second, additionally leading to a excessive probability of pedal kickback.”
Hub Development
None of this issues if the hub isn’t as much as the duty, so e*13 spent numerous time obsessing over the main points to make Sidekick sturdy sufficient to face as much as the world’s high racers. A metal axle ensures the hub is stiff sufficient and powerful sufficient for World Cup DH abuse, and a captive thread endcap system permits for tool-free cleansing and upkeep. The ratchet ring is replaceable together with all elements for serviceability.
At 452g for a Enhance hub, the Sidekick hub is on the heavier facet, nevertheless it’s doubtless much less added weight than the additional chain and pulley to create a high-pivot body design. J-Bend hubs shall be out there to construct into your personal wheelset, or e*13 will supply full builds with their new Grappler Flux and Sylvan rims as nicely.
Hubs and wheelsets shall be provided in all trendy sizes and freehubs to suit most bikes and drivetrains.
Sidekick Hub Specs
Driver: XD, Microspline, HG, mini-HG, 7-speed built-in cassette
Dimension: Enhance, Tremendous Enhance, 157x12mm, 148mm DH
Axle Materials: Metal
Spoke rely: Enhance, Tremendous Enhance 28h, 32h / 157x12mm, 148mm DH 32H
Spoke sort: J-Bend
Bearings: 6903 / 6808
Engagement: 12° / 15° / 18° Adjustable Deadband
Materials: AL 6061-T6
Weight: Enhance (XD) 452g / Tremendous Enhance (XD) 450g / 157x12mm (7-speed) 652g / 148mm DH (mini-HG) 459g
Colour: Black/Sterling Silver
MSRP: 499.95 $/€ (UK £469.95), 589.95 $/€ w 7-speed built-in cassette (UK £559.95)
New Rims and Wheels
It wasn’t sufficient to only have a revolutionary new hub system, e*13 wished to supply the entire bundle as nicely. That’s the place the brand new Grappler Flux and Sylvan rims are available in.
The Grappler Flux rims are designed for “huck-proof sturdiness” whereas the Sylvan rims are designed for aggressive path, All-Mountain, and lightweight e-bikes.
Grappler Flux Rims and Wheels
Grappler Flux Options
Low-profile designs: 17.5mm peak Enduro carbon, alloy, and DH alloy / 20mm peak DH carbon
30mm Internal Width: Gives distinctive lateral stability whereas optimizing trendy tire profiles
Obtainable in high-modulus carbon or welded 6069-AL constructions
Optimized Carbon Layups: Particularly designed for DH and EN rims to stability sturdiness, weight, and distinctive compliance
Hookless Flanges: Provide set-and-forget tubeless safety and resistance to affect harm
Grappler Flux Advantages
Engineered compliance reduces affect forces and vibration, enhancing consolation and decreasing rider fatigue
Tuned compliance improves traction and monitoring and reduces wheel deflection in tough terrain, with out compromising a high-performance experience really feel
The identical legendary toughness of our World Cup LG1 and Grappler rims
Lifetime free substitute coverage on carbon rims / 5-year crash substitute on alloy
Appropriate for each mountain and class-1 e-bike use
Grappler Flux Sidekick Enduro Wheel Tech
Weight Carbon: Entrance 900g / Rear 1160g 27.5”, 1200g 29” (Enhance, XD)
Weight Aluminum: Entrance 906g / Rear 1187g 27.5”, 1206g 29” (Enhance, XD)
Spokes/Nipples: Sapim D-Mild / Safe Lock Alloy / 28H/28H – F/R
Rear Config: Sidekick Enhance 148×12 / Tremendous Enhance 157×12 – Metal Axle
Entrance Config: Sidekick Enhance 110x15mm
Driver: XD / Microspline (HG Avail.)
Valves: Fast Fill Presta Tubeless Valves
Sizes: 29” Entrance, Rear 27.5”/29”
Grappler Sidekick Flux Carbon MSRP: Entrance 799.95 $/€ – Rear 1199.95 $/€ (UK F/R £729.95/£1099.95)
Grappler Sidekick Flux Aluminum MSRP: Entrance 379.95 $/€ – Rear 649.95 $/€ (UK F/R £349.95/£589.95)
Grappler Flux Enduro Rim Tech
Weight: Aluminum 587g-586g / Carbon 560g-580g (27.5”-29”)
Wheel Dimension: 27.5” / 29”
Internal Width: 30mm
Spoke Depend: 28H / 32H
Valve Gap: Presta
Joint: Aluminum-Welded
Bead Kind: Hookless
Materials: 6069-AL / Excessive-Modulus Carbon
MSRP: Aluminum 129.95 $/€ (UK £119.95)/ Carbon 539.95 $/€ (UK £489.95)
Grappler Flux DH Wheel Tech
Weight Carbon: Entrance 1000g / Rear 1170g 27.5”, 1210g 29” (157×12, mini-HG) / 7-speed cassette +180g
Weight Aluminum: Entrance 1009g / Rear 1177g 27.5”, 1219g 29” (157×12, mini-HG) / 7-speed cassette +180g
Spokes/Nipples: Sapim D-Mild / Safe Lock Alloy / 28H F, 32H R
Rear Config: Sidekick 157x12mm / 148mm DH – Metal Axle
Entrance Config: Sidekick Enhance 110x20mm
Driver: 7-speed Built-in Cassette / mini-HG
Valves: Fast Fill Presta Tubeless Valves
Sizes: 29” Entrance, Rear 27.5”/29”
Grappler Sidekick Flux Carbon MSRP: Entrance 849.95 $/€ – Rear 1349.95-1499.95 $/€ (UK F/R £769.95/£1249.95-£1389.95)
Grappler Sidekick Flux Aluminum MSRP: Entrance 379.95 $/€ – Rear 659.95-799.95 $/€ (UK F/R £349.95 / £599.95-£699.95)
Grappler Flux DH Rim Tech
Weight: Aluminum 587g-609g / Carbon 580g-600g (27.5”-29”)
Wheel Dimension: 27.5” / 29”
Internal Width: 30mm
Spoke Depend: 28H / 32H
Valve Gap: Presta
Joint: Aluminum-Welded
Bead Kind: Hookless
Materials: 6069-AL / Excessive-Modulus Carbon
MSRP: Aluminum 129.95 $/€ (UK £119.95) / Carbon 569.95 $/€ (UK £519.95)
Sylvan Race Rims and Wheels
Sylvan Race Carbon Rims
Constructed from high-modulus carbon fiber with a 23mm profile peak and a decade-honed customized layup
Embrace a intelligent valve dock for improved tubeless sealing on uneven rims
Weighing simply 450g (29”), affect energy was examined at 7x earlier TRS race carbon rims
Backed by a lifetime free rim substitute guarantee
Sylvan Race Alloy Rims
6069-AL development, that includes welded joints and angle-drilled spoke holes
Low profile 20mm sectional peak for distinctive compliance
Weighing in at 567g (29”), they present practically a 4x enchancment in affect energy over former TRS Plus rims
Dramatically enhance experience really feel and management
Backed by a 5-year crash substitute coverage
Sylvan Sidekick Wheel Tech
Weight Carbon (29”): 800g/1060g (Enhance, XD Driver)
Weight Alloy (29”): 920g / 1180g F/R (Enhance, XD Driver)
Spokes: Sapim D-Mild 28H/28H – F/R
Rear Config: Sidekick 148×12 Enhance or 157×12 Tremendous Enhance – Metal Axle
Entrance Config: Sidekick SL 110×15 Enhance
Driver: XD / Microspline (HG Avail.)
Valves: Fast Fill Presta Tubeless Valves
Sizes: 29” Entrance – 27.5”/29” Rear
MSRP Carbon: Entrance 779.95 $/€ (UK £709.95) – Rear 1119.95 $/€ (UK £1019.95
MSRP Aluminum:: Entrance 379.95 $/€ (UK £349.95) – Rear 629.95 $/€ (UK £569.95)
