There isn’t much to get excited about when it comes to cranks however when e*thirteen announced its premium alloy Helix Race crankset earlier this year they immediately caught my attention. The beautiful CNC-ed arms and classy bronze colorway immediately set these alloy arms apart from the other best MTB cranks around.
Unlike other components like tires, brakes, and suspension that have clear performance gains when upgrading, there isn’t all that much separating a good budget crankset from a really good top-end set. The premium finish of e*thirteen’s Helix Race cranks certainly positions the Helix Race above most cranks aesthetically, but do they offer enough performance to justify the upgrade?
Design and specification
The Helix Race crank arms are forged from AL6066-T6 alloy, the cranks are then CNC’ed giving them sharp lines, a smooth face, and classy fluting around the axle bolt. Crank arms are available in 160mm-175mm lengths with my 165mm test samples weighing in at 551g. The AL 7050-T7 spindle has a 30mm diameter (ShimanoTM BB-92 and BB30 compatible) with the drive-side crank arm mounting to the axle with e*thirteen’s P3 spindle interface that uses a self-extracting bolt system for simplified fighting and removal. To pair with the cranks e*thirteen sells bottom brackets with custom bearings and high-performance seals to fit 68/73mm bottom bracket shells.
The proprietary direct mount ‘Quick Connect’ interface chainring is CNC machined from AL-7075-T6 aluminum and has a flip flop design so the same chainring can be run with either a 52mm (Boost) or 56mm (Super Boost) chain line. The Helix Race chainring is cross-compatible with both Shimano and Sram 11 and 12-speed drivetrains and uses e*thirteens updated M4 narrow-wide tooth profile which is said to improve chain retention and reduce drivetrain noise. The chainring comes in 28t to 34t tooth counts with my 32t e*thirteen Helix Race Direct Mount chainring tipped the scales at 56g.
Along with the alloy construction, the crank arms come in three metallic-themed color choices of Black (tested), Sterling Silver, or Bronze. The chainring comes in a selection of colors giving options to pair the chainring to either the crankset with the Bronze or Black colors, alternatively, there are Intergalactic (tested), Grey, Naranja, and Eggplant colors that match e*thirteens Helix Race cassette’s.
To help keep your crankset looking as good as new there's a set of fork boots to stop them getting scratched from crank strikes and protective stickers to keep unsightly shoe rub at bay.
Performance
Fitting the crankset was about as straightforward as it can get. The bottom bracket uses an e*thirteen specific tool, which is included with the crankset and also used to secure the direct mount chainring lock ring. Everything threaded together smoothly and nipped up securely by hand using the toolless APS adjuster preload collar. The preload APS did come loose after the first ride but since nipping it back up at the side of the trail I have since had no issues or required any additional maintenance. I have since clocked over 400km on this e*thirteen crankset, chainring, and bottom bracket and they are still spinning smoothly and showing minimal wear.
On the first ride, I could immediately feel how stiff the Helix Race cranks were compared to the Rotor Kapic crankset I had previously been running on the bike. Being a mid-weight rider I don’t usually have any problems with the stoutness of cranks however with the Helix Race power transfer is noticeably direct and there isn't a hint of twisting when slamming through high-load corners. I fitted these to my Cotic SolarisMax long-termer hardtail and while I wouldn’t expect cranks to absorb much vibration, the extra stiffness means the Helix Race’s are a little harsher than other cranks I have tested. It’s worth noting these are marginal distinctions and if mounted to a full-suspension bike, likely indiscernible out on the trail.
All the CNC work means that the Helix R crankset's weight of 551g is respectable, saying that they aren’t the lightest alloy option out there and can’t compete with carbon alternatives. While the Helix Race could offer some weight savings over budget cranksets, they aren’t any lighter than Shimano XT’s or SRAM GX’s. XC gram counters will be better off saving for carbon arms or spending money on more cost-effective upgrades.
Verdict
The e*thirteen Helix Race Alloy crankset is a stiff yet relatively lightweight option worth considering if you're looking for a high-end alloy crankset. While crankset upgrades rarely offer a transformative performance advantage, these subtly sculpted CNC-ed premium alloy arms elevate aesthetics with their elegant fluting and tasteful color options. Ride feel and looks aside, most importantly fitting the crankset was a simple process and they’re still spinning smoothly after a load of testing.
Tech specs: e*thirteen Helix Race crankset and e*thirteen Helix Race chainring
- Price: Crankset $279.95 / £254.95, Helix Race Ring $72.95 / £89.95, bottom bracket $81.95 / £74.95
- Crank sizes: 160, 165, 170, and 175mm lengths
- Chainring options: 28t-34t, compatible with 11s, 12s, 13s
- Axle size: 30mm
- Options: Bronze, Sterling Silver, Black
- Weight: e*thirteen Helix R crankset 551g, e*thirteen Bottom bracket 93g, e*thirteen Helix Race Direct Mount 56g
