e*thirteen has released a unique new rear hub that isolates the rider from the effects of pedal kickback. The Sidekick hub features a proprietary freehub mechanism to eliminate pedal kickback at the source and improve suspension performance.
The new hub will be available specced on its new Sylvan all-mountain, Grappler Flux Enduro, and Grappler Flux Downhill wheelsets, which will come in both carbon and alloy options.
For those who aren't aware, pedal kickback is caused by the suspension compressing, which effectively lengthens the chainstays and causes the cranks to rotate backward as the chain tightens. The amount of pedal kickback a bike has depends on the pivot location, riding speed, and gearing, so it affects some bikes more than others.
Eliminating kickback has several advantages. Stopping the suspension from moving the cranks will keep the rider more stable on the bike while allowing the suspension to move more freely. Using a BYB Telemetry system with a 1000Hz/sec sampling rate, e*thirteen claims that its testing shows the Sidekick hub allows the suspension to be more active and predictable.
"Using data acquisition I was able to test and quantify the effects of the Sidekick hub. It's easy to see that the rear end of the bike is more active, especially in the larger mid-stroke of the shock. In our tests, we saw a cumulative increase of up to 44% in time spent across the 11%-70% travel ranges with DH bikes. Results will vary for different bike designs. It was also really impressive to see 20% less crank movement in comparison to the standard hub, meaning the cranks and pedals are more stable and subjected to less accelerations." says Nick Lester (Downamics Data Acquisition - Muc-Off Young Guns).
The rear hub uses a spring to keep the Sidekick's pawls disengaged. As you start pedaling, the "pawl pusher" mechanism lifts the pawls into position, allowing them to engage with the ratchet. This creates what e*thirteen refers to as "deadband", which is the degree of crank rotation before the hub pawls reconnect.
The amount of slip offered by the deadband can be adjusted (12 degrees, 15 degrees, and 18 degrees) based on bike type and riding style. Shorter-travel bikes on less extreme terrain may prefer a snappier pedal response whereas long-travel bikes taking big hits and tackling rough descents will benefit from a longer deadband.
As the ratchets are fully disengaged when freewheeling there is no pawl drag, e*thirteen claims the Sidekick hub is noticeably faster at carrying speed and is nearly silent when riding.
The hubs are made from AL 6061-T6 and spin on 6903 / 6808 bearings, available in black or silver. e*thirteen caters to XD, Microspline, HG, mini-HG, and 7-speed integrated cassette driver options, as well as Boost, Super Boost, 157x12mm, and 148mm DH spacing. Rear hubs are all claimed to weigh around 450g, while the fronts come as either Sidekick SL at 132g or the Sidekick at 196g.
The new Sidekick hubs will be built into six new wheels from e*thirteen, aimed at all-mountain, enduro, and downhill riders.
The Grappler Flux comes in enduro or downhill versions and features a new low-profile, 30mm inner diameter, hookless rim design. e*thirteen says it has designed the Grappler Flux to offer high levels of angular and vertical rim deflection to enhance traction and reduce fatigue.
Both the enduro and downhill wheelsets come in carbon and alloy versions, available in 29er and mullet configurations.
For all-mountain riders, e*thirteen has paired the new Sidekick SL hubs with its Sylvan Sidekick Carbon and Alloy rims for a more versatile setup. The rims feature an asymmetrical spoke bed design, a 30mm inner rim diameter, and are claimed to weigh 450g for the carbon and 567g for the alloy version.
Pricing for the e*thirteen Sidekick range
- e*thirteen Sidekick front hub: $169.95 / £159.95 / €169.95
- e*thirteen Sidekick rear hub: $499.95 / £469.95 / €499.95 ($589.95 / £559.95 / €589.95 w 7-speed integrated cassette)
- e*thirteen Grappler Sidekick Flux Carbon wheels: $799.95 / £729.95 / €799.95 front and $1199.95 / £1099.95 / €1199.95 rear
- e*thirteen Grappler Sidekick Flux Aluminium wheels: $379.95 / £349.95 / €379.95 front and $649.95 / £589.95 / €649.95 rear
- e*thirteen Sylvan Sidekick Carbon wheels: $779.95 / £709.95 / €779.95 front and $1119.95 / £1019.95 / €1119.95 rear
- e*thirteen Sylvan Sidekick Aluminium wheels: $379.95 / £349.95 / €379.95 front $629.95 / £569.95 / €629.95 rear
For more details, head over to ethirteen.com.
