Every year Ray brings new features to his indoor mountain bike park and this year is no different.  In addition to new features and a new lounge area there will be a free lunch as well so head out if you can make it!  See more at www.raysmtb.com to get jealous if you’re not attending.

Competitive Cyclist is pleased to announce a trail day this weekend (Nov. 7th) with Turner.  A free event that will include trail maintainace and a chance to demo lots of Turner bikes!  Demo location is at the Syllamo Trail System near Mountain View Arkansas.  Read the details in the pdf here.

If you have any suggestions, or have a cool video to share feel free to drop us an email.

Hardtail @ Whistler

Bromont Fall 2009

Pointofviewcameras.com has a 1080p GoPro HD Hero review up already!  Be sure to check it out if you’re in the market for a new helmet camera anytime soon.

[GoPro HD Hero Review]

e*thirteen SS+ and XCX guides

e*thirteen passed along some information on some new products that they’ve been developing for some time.

Read the details on the SS+, the XCX-CX, and XCX-XC inside.

“In a tireless effort to perfect chain retention systems across the board e*thirteen components has once again raised the standard by which all other chainguides are judged. As the industry leader in chain retention, e*thirteen realizes the importance of making advanced technologies more accessible to budget conscious riders and racers. We believe that a recessed world economy should not be a barrier to enjoying the sports of downhill riding and racing (or even freechucking), and we’re proving it!

e*thirteen’s new SS+ guide is the second generation of the already popular SS backplate design. Following in the footprints of its big brother, the SS+ leverages the strength and reliability that helped the SRS+ win the 2009 UCI DH World Cup overall into a cost effective package that beginning riders will appreciate.

This groundbreaking design was shaped by hundreds of hours of engineering and analysis. Once again, e*thirteen has pushed the limits of new technologies, and through advancing stamped steel manufacturing produced the most technologically advanced pricepoint chain retention system ever conceived.

After having been tested on our own bikes and the World Cup circuit for over a year the SS+ has proven to be just as strong and reliable as the SRS+ retention system, and at a meager 258 grams the SS+ is by far the lightest full-bashguard retention system at its price point. The SS+’s weight is less than almost all of our competitions top end aluminum chainguides!

Affordable, reliable, lightweight chain retention has been born. The old adage “Cheap, light and strong – you can only pick two” has just been deleted.” - e*thirteen

SS+ Chain Retention System

• Uses World Cup winning SRS+ guide design
• Fixed position wear-plates for simple, no-hassle setup

• Includes impact-flexure design Turbocharger Bashguard patents pending
• 32-36T chainring capacity
• High tensile chrome-moly steel backplate
• Anti-corrosion nickel-chrome plated
• New Tech 3 Stealth Idler
• 258 grams (claimed weight)

$89.95 MSRP

XCX has been proven at the highest levels of competition right out of the gate. Having won the Men’s Elite Silver medal in the 2009 UCI World Championship Cross Country race the XCX is the first chain retention system in the world to podium at a international World Cup XC event.

The brainchild of World Cup mechanic and now Worldwide Sales Director Jonas Mikolayunas, the XCX has been used by friends and employees of e*thirteen since 2004.  Racing and rider feedback is of top importance to e*thirteen, and in 2005, e*thirteen introduced the XCX to top World Cup CX and XC riders.  Unfortunately, the XCX was a bit ahead of its time. Many professional riders weren’t quite ready for the idea, so the product was shelved until a time that perceptions had changed. The recent emergence of the wide-range ten speed cassette has allowed XC races and riders to drop weight by using only a middle ring. The time for the XCX is now. Several riders, including Subaru/Gary Fisher rider Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski trusted his race run at World’s with the XCX.  JHK said of the product’s performance, “The e*13 XCX chainguide worked flawlessly the first time out. I didn’t have a single chain skip or issue the entire week.”

Product highlights:

• Extremely light at 56 grams!  (claimed weight)
• 1.5 mm backplate spacing with provided 0.5 mm spacers allows perfect setup
• World Championship gold medal–proven top slider design
• Gear range of 32T– 42T, low enough for the steep Mont Saint Anne XC climbs and high enough to win the Glouchester cyclocross!
• Available in black or white
• Made in the USA!!!

Recession proof, affordable $49.95 MSRP

Gamut sent over some information on their dual ring system.  Read the information they passed along inside.

“Gamut’s latest chainguide solution, the Gamut Dual Ring, is designed to accommodate 2 ring set ups with the proven protection of the P30 bashguard. The guide comes in all possible mount types (ISCG, ISCG05, BB mount) and does not require the use of adapters.  CNC’d 6061 aluminum is the material of choice making weights range from 146g to 154g including bashguard.  The Gamut Dual Ring is ideal for 2 ring set ups on any trail, downhill or XC bike.  Designed, machined, and assembled in San Jose, California by the Gamut crew themselves, this device continues Gamut’s tradition of offering simple, high quality solutions backed with world class customer support.” - GamutUSA

SPECS:

• Bashguard 104-4 teeth 34-36
• Set up 22/24t - 34/36t
• Bashguard available in Red, White, Blue, Black

WEIGHTS: (claimed)

• BB mount: 146g
• ISCG: 153g
• ISCG 05: 154g

MOUNT TYPES:

• BB mount
• ISCG
• ISCG 05

Banshee Bikes and Team Geronimo are both pleased to announce their new partnership for the 2010 race season. 2009 isn’t even a memory yet, but Jay MacNeil, General Manager of Banshee Bikes, and Team Geronimo are busy preparing for a jump start on 2010 – ready to hit the National, International, and World Cup race circuits on Banshee’s new Legend Mk II DH bike and Rampant 4X bike.

Read the details on the team over at the Banshee Blog.

Previous Coverage

• Banshee Legend MK I bike build

Made -  by Callum Swift

November 1st is quickly approaching so be sure to upload your videos to win prizes! We’ve got some additional prizes to add still so upload your video before it’s too late and you’re kicking yourself! Be sure to read the details on submitting your video here.

The SF Bike Expo Crew is pleased to announce the addition of AT’s Showdown at the Cow Palace, a mountain bike dirt jump competition. The competition will feature some of the top pros including Andrew Taylor, Greg Watts. Cameron McCaul, Tyler MCCaul, Paul Basagoitia, Mike Montgomery and more riders to be announced. Details inside

Powered by Adidas and designed by Gravity Pro Andrew Taylor, it will begin with a launch off a Sea Container through the trees into some massive jumps. The jumps will be located next to the expo in the middle of the Cross Palace CX Race. The SF Bike Expo is taking shape. Don’t miss the greatest eye candy and action on two wheels!

Tickets are available now! $8 presale. $10 at the door. Follow the link for the ticket locations.

http://sfbikeexpo.com/?page_id=33

If you have any suggestions, or have a cool video to share feel free to drop us an email.

Julien Camellini 2009 - Lucas Stanus

Neko Mullaly

23 Degrees Sports Management announced today that it has finalized an agreement to represent rising American mountain bike talent, Neko Mulally. The 16 year old gravity rider from Reading in Pennsylvania has had an impressive year despite the fact that he’s not yet old enough to race World Cups; that will come next season.

Most notably, at Whistler this year during the Crankworx events, and racing Pro Men, Neko finish 4th in the Dual Slalom (behind world class talents Kyle Strait, Brian Lopes and Johannes Fischbach), and then in the Canadian Open Downhill finished 5th, just seconds behind World Cup stars Brendan Fairclough and Steve Smith.

Neko rode as the forerunner for the Canadian rounds of the UCI World Cup, and is now dead keen to hit the circuit next year in his first World Cup season. Currently a member of Specialized Team America, Neko is open to race for a new program in 2010.

“Next year is a really important year for me. I want to build on the experience I gained this year with my current team, and chase down my goals of being one of the top juniors on the Downhill circuit next year and hopefully gain a medal at my first World Championships. It was really cool to see the Mont-Sainte-Anne course this year, and it’s one I’m really looking forward to racing in 2010,” said Neko this morning from his home in Pennsylvania.

Founder and Owner of 23 Degrees Sports Management, Martin Whiteley, commented on Neko’s signing.

“Neko’s been well known in the US for a little while now and he’s been getting some pretty impressive results for his age. His skill level is right up there and since one of our other clients, Kyle Strait, is on the same team, we got to spend some time with Neko in Whistler. He impresses me greatly. He is a grounded young man who clearly comes from a very supportive family. We haven’t signed any new athletes to our management program for more than 2 years as we’ve been waiting for just the right rider to come along and Neko fits that bill. I’m very excited by what the future holds for this young talent”.

Neko’s profile page can be found here:
http://www.23degrees-sports.com/athlete.php?athlete_id=21

Issue #10

Wideopen has released their 150+ page 10th issue. You can download the full magazine on their website as well as past issues

• James McKnight interview | Rolling (Jess) Stone Interview
• Orange Bikes Alpine 160 review
• The Mega with Team SPERM
• NPS 4x/DH Racing | Hardtail Champs
• SDA, KOD, Pearce

[Wideopen Mag]

It’s that time of the year again. Aaron Bartlett put together a nice trailer for his upcoming film Foot Out Flat Out 2 - Fast and Loose.

If you have any suggestions, or have a cool video to share feel free to drop us an email.

Vanderham - Shimano Pro

Highland MTB Park

Simon Garstin

Mulally wins the GES overall, Memmelaar second, Ortiz third | Photo: Matthew DeLorme

The Gravity East series has been going on since May 8th! It is the biggest downhill series on the east coast with the final race taking place last weekend at Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury, NY.  Gravity East passed along the details of the events that transpired inside.

October 13, 2009; Conshohocken, PA, USA:

Neko Mulally, Specialized Team America’s 16 year old phenom, is Gravity East’s 2009 Professional Men’s Champion in both the Downhill and the Dual Slalom divisions following this past weekend’s Gravity East Finals at Plattekill Mountain New York. “We have seen the future, and it’s scary fast,” says Gravity East publicist Ken Getchell of Mulally.

Neko Mulally | Photo: Matthew DeLorme

Mulally finished the season with five Gravity East Downhill victories and never finished lower than fifth (one race). On the Dual Slalom side, Neko finished with a perfect score of five victories after dropped races were calculated. Only a crash in the semi-finals of Saturday’s e.thirteen Dual Slalom kept him from sweeping every race.

On the Women’s side, Dawn Bourque of Rhino Bike Works was overshadowed by Mulally’s exploits, but was no less dominant in winning the Gravity East Downhill Series. In fact, she was more dominant, winning seven of the Gravity East Downhills (including five in a row) where Mulally scored “only” five downhill victories. After missing the first three races, Bourque went on to win every other Downhill on the Gravity East Schedule, with the exception of the new venue at Eastern Pennsylvania’s Vertical Earth Mountain Bike Park at Blue Mountain, where deliciously sponsored Karen Eagan of Samuel Adams Brewery took the victory. Eagan had what many riders would consider a dream year in the Gravity East this year, winning the e.thirteen Dual Slalom title and finishing second in the Downhill standings. Overall, Eagan won three times in Gravity East competition this year; twice in Dual Slalom and once in Downhill.

In on-track action, 208 entries (174 in downhill alone) signed into Plattekill despite rainy (again!) conditions. The racers who followed the entire Gravity East Series this year saw about as much rain as Noah; and if they had the choice of changing any one thing about the series this year, most racers would ask for drier weather. Even most of the races that were held in the sun took place after rainy practice days.

Slalom in the fall time at Plattekill | Photo: Matthew DeLorme

In the Dual Slalom, Neko crashed in the Semi’s, but beat Ben Hulse in the final to take third. The big winner was Alejandro Ortiz, who took his first Gravity East victory in either discipline this year. Runner-up was Kyle Karpuska (Von Cooper) with his best Gravity East result of the year. Karen Eagan confirmed her status as 2009 champion by beating Kate Parhiala in the final. The second place finish allowed Parhiala to score enough points to take second place in the season standings.

In Sunday’s Downhill, Dawn Bourque, Karen Eagan and Stephanie Gubernat (Cutters Bike Shop/VerticalEarth) finished 1,2,3 for both the race and the season title. Bourque’s time of 3:19.15 was over seven seconds faster than runner-up Eagan. In the Men’s race, Mulally blazed down the course with a time of 2:32.33. Memmelaar raced home second in 2:36.00 and Ben Moody (Rhino Bike Works) rounded out the podium with a 2:38.39

Full Results and Point Standings to be published shortly:

Gravity East Finals, Preliminary Results:

Gravity East e.thirteen Dual Slalom, October 10, 2009:
Men:
1. Alejandro Ortiz (Nema/Morpheous - Ecuador)
2. Kyle Karpuska (Von Cooper)
3. Neko Mulally (Specialized Team America)

Women:
1. Karen Eagan (Samuel Adams)
2. Lauren Daney (Inspired Athletes)
3. Kate Parhiala (Ryde)

Gravity East Downhill, October 11, 2009:
Men:
1. Neko Mulally (Specialized Team America) 2:32.33
2. Jason Memmelaar (Hayes/5 ten/Manitou/Smith) 2:36.00
3. Ben Moody (Rhino Bike Works) 2:38.39

Women:
1. Dawn Bourque (Rhino Bike Works) 3:19.15
2. Karen Eagan (Samuel Adams) 3:26.63
3. Stephanie Gubernat (Cutters Bike Shop/VerticalEarth) 3:46.94

Upload a video, and be entered to win some Nuke Proof Neutron Mag Ti pedals (MSRP $239.41). These pedals are Nuke Proof’s top of the line pedals.  Read the contest details here.

[Contest: Submit a video]

If you have any suggestions, or have a cool video to share feel free to drop us an email.

Tahnée’s end of season video

West Moutain - (see more e*thirteen east coast chronicles videos)

Marisquiño ‘09 (VIGODowntown)

Diablo - George Ryan Sept 2nd

Over the past few months we decided to document a few resorts on the east coast and showcase some of what each had to offer. This gives you an idea of the type of riding that has inspired and driven e*thirteen’s chainguide designs. There are a lot of lift assisted riding locations on the east coast, and while our coverage isn’t an exhaustive list, it does highlight most of the big ones!

Locations include: New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and many others.

[Videos: e*thirteen East Coast Chronicles]

step inside to find out about e*thirteen

Ever been curious about what goes on at e*thirteen, how it started, and what they’ve been working on?

Well we were curious and paid them a visit. Inside we have video interviews, pictures, and a little bit of history all wrapped nicely.

Additionally, within striking distance of the e*thirteen office is numerous lift assisted mountains. e*thriteen teamed up with us to bring you updates to our course pages with some nice helmet camera footage and more. Stay tuned this week to see the helmet camera of some sweet riding locations!

Origins

e*thirteen components started as a company early in the 21st century boldly going where no chainguide company had gone before…

e*thirteen components was founded in 2001 by a couple of friends in Boston, Massachusetts. The company started small with just a few employees and has remained that way ever since. Over the years e*thirteen doubled its staff and now boasts a lofty six employees. As e*thirteen began to grow they found their Maine facility (little more than a friend’s apartment) to be too small and the company moved to Leominster, MA (pronounced “Lemon-ster”). Leominster was chosen because of its manufacturing heritage, ideal riding geography, and accessibility to Greater Boston.

e.13 office entry (click to enlarge)

e*thirteen moved to its current location in Leominster about a year ago in an effort to increase work space and better organize its office environment. The building they reside in is a refurbished factory that once produced landing gear for aircraft during World War II. The interior and exterior have been restored while leaving much of the original structure intact. This includes expansive exposed timbers, large windows, and lots of exposed brick. It’s a classic example of New England’s approach to recycling the vacant factories of small industrial mill towns. The current facility includes a warehouse and production space in back, and a separate office space in the front. Compared to their old facility, the new space allows for more expandability and provides a more modern feel.

the e.13 offices are decorated with various signed memorabilia from their riders (click to enlarge)

Who is e*thirteen?

e*thirteen is a very small company. The total employed staff for e*thirteen is seven, which includes the owner, Dave Weagle. Everyone at e*thirteen has their specific responsibilities but, like all small companies, everyone often wears more than one hat in order to keep the company functioning. e*thirteen’s employees understand this well and work together quite often relying on a team effort to get the job done.

Everyone at e*thirteen gets along well with each other. It’s hard to go more than five minutes without someone cracking a joke or playing pranks. It keeps the atmosphere light and helps keep everyone in check. The employees at e*thirteen as you might have guessed are also very competitive. This comes from the very top with Dave challenging others to see who can build chainguides the fastest or fold the most boxes in a given amount of time. Everyone at e*thirteen pushes each other to see who can be the best. This shows in the types of products they create, pushing the competition beyond what they thought was possible.

Michael was greeted with a nice present during the morning of our visit (click to enlarge)

The employees of e*thirteen are a diverse group, all offering the company something different. Everyone at e*thirteen rides often and they’ve all been affected by the performance of e*thirteen products in some way (many used e*thirteen products before they worked for the company). To give you an idea of who they are and what their responsibilities are, read on and check out some of our interviews with the crew.

Dave Weagle – Owner / Designer

Watch the video below to learn more about Dave, e13, and more.

the shadowy leader of e.thirteen - Dave Weagle (click to enlarge)

Dave Weagle is the founder of e*thirteen components. Dave provides the vision for e*thirteen and designs the products they offer. His background in engineering, racing experience, and creativity drives the innovative products that e*thirteen provides. His energy, humor, and competitiveness are always in fifth gear pushing everyone to keep up with him. This translates into a work environment in which everyone is constantly looking for an edge in everything they do.

Dave riding at Highland MTB Park (click to enlarge)

Dave riding at Highland MTB Park (click to enlarge)

Michael Tobler – Manufacturing / Team Management

Watch the video below to learn more about Michael, his roles, how he came to work for e13, and more.

Michael assembling some Turbochargers (click to enlarge)

Michael has been employed by e*thirteen the longest of all of the employees. He started shortly after e*thirteen was founded and initially handled tech support, race events, and general customer service. Michael eventually transitioned into his current position of manufacturing coordination. His background in bike shop management has proven to be invaluable to the company as it allows him to better understand customer and business needs. He works with all of the manufacturing partners to make sure production is on schedule, meeting quality requirements, and developing new production procedures for their innovative products. Michael also manages all athlete and team sponsorship relations. He insures that they receive e*thirteen product and offers support for any issues they might be having.

Michael riding at Highland MTB park (click to enlarge)

Jonas Mikolayunas – Sales

Watch the video below to learn more about Jonas, his roles, how he came to work for e13, and more.

Jonas hard at work (click to enlarge)

Jonas started working for e*thirteen about six months after Michael joined the company. Jonas’ first role was providing technical support to customers. This was a job the Jonas really enjoyed because it allowed him to directly interface with customers and make sure they were getting the most out of e*thirteen’s products. Jonas also foresaw the important impact of the Internet and has always made sure that e*thirteen support was available not only in the physical realm but also in the virtual environment. Jonas used to actively browse 20+ domestic and international forums looking for users with issues in order to make sure customers were having the best experience they could with their e*thirteen product even if they weren’t contacting e*thirteen directly.

Jonas riding at Highland MTB park (click to enlarge)

With more growth, e*thirteen eventually needed a full time sales person in order to interface with all of its customers. Jonas moved into this position coordinating sales for OEM partners, managing international and domestic distribution, and overseeing dealer accounts. This involves working with distributors and bike companies across the globe to insure they receive e*thirteen product for sale to individual customers as well as for installation on production bicycles. With over 50 combined domestic and international distributors worldwide and their guides spec’d on almost every major bicycle company in existence, you begin to see how big Jonas’ job becomes.

Jonas riding at Highland MTB park (click to enlarge)

Derek Jacob – Design

Watch the video below to learn more about Derek. He’s a shy fellow at first but he opens up once you get to know him.

Derick hard at work (click to enlarge)

Derek, an avid park and street rider, began his relationship with e*thirteen testing prototype parts. As with most employees at e*thirteen, Derek started his company career in the support department. He has since moved into a design role for e*thirteen and is responsible for creating various types of media for the company. This ranges from clothing design to advertisements and even includes the current sleek instructions accompanying all e*thirteen chainguides.

John Buckley – Production Coordinator & Quality Assurance Manager

Watch the video below to learn more about John, his roles, and more.

John assembling chainguides (click to enlarge)

John is responsible for making sure all of the chainguide parts received are within quality and build specifications. Most parts used to create e*thirteen’s chainguide products are actually made right in Massachusetts. It’s not uncommon for John to be making a run down the road to pick up SRS+ backplates freshly laser etched with torque specifications. John works closely with Michael, Jonas, and Isaac to make sure that they have the correct amount of chainguides available to fill orders and shipped on time.

John assembling boxes (click to enlarge)

Philip Welsh – Technical Support

Watch the video below to learn more about Philip, his roles, and more.

Phillip hard at work (click to enlarge)

Philip is the current technical support representative for e*thirteen. He manages all support issues received by e*thirteen from its customers. By talking to customers directly on the phone as well as via the Internet, Philip is able to help customers across the globe make sure their e*thirteen product functions correctly. Philip travels to many races offering free support to competitors to insure they don’t have a problem during the event.

Isaac Hill – Shipping / Team Management

Watch the video below to learn more about Isaac, his roles, and more.

Isaac working on a shipment (click to enlarge)

Isaac is the chief employee responsible for all shipping and receiving for e*thirteen. Isaac fills orders daily and ships them off to customers across the globe. He also manages receiving and inventory, making sure that product is stored efficiently for assembly and quality control. Isaac also works with Michael on team management, interfacing with sponsored riders and teams.

e*thirteen Innovations

e*thirteen strives to be at the forefront of innovation in the bicycle component industry. After talking with e*thirteen about this, we’ve outlined a few of their key contributions that have helped to make downhill safer and more fun today.

First impact absorbing thermoplastic bashguard – prior to e*thirteen’s release of their impact absorbing Supercharger bashguard all chainguides used aluminum constructed bashguards. If you ever used one of these metal bashguards you can attest to their lack of reliability, durability, and performance. Once e*thirteen produced the first impact absorbing design, the bike industry and riders were able to do things they had never been able to do with previous products. Since then almost every chainguide and drivetrain company in existence has introduced a thermoplastic type bashguard.

With the new impact absorbing design, riders were now able to take lines they had previously shied away from. Rocks were very hard on the old bashguards causing failure quite easily upon impact. With the thermoplastic bashguard a rider was able to strike objects and keep going without fear of failure or getting hung up. The thermoplastic offered nice sliding properties upon impact and absorbed the force without transferring it into the frame or the chainring. Many riders can give testimony to e*thirteen’s game changing properties, offering riders a much more varied array of line choices and speed to be carried into their race runs without fear of damaging their equipment.

With the ability of riders now being able to hit their bashguard with more force and added reliability bike companies began to use this to their benefit when designing bikes. For years riders were looking to lower bottom bracket heights for better handling performance but were not able to due to impacts. With the thermoplastic bash this request was now more feasible. This singular innovation allowed designers to use sub 14″ BB heights, run more sag, and use slacker head angles.

e*thirteen’s latest bashguard innovations take this concept even further. Patented in 2006, the impact flexure design of the Turbocharger bashguard (released in 2009 on the SRS+) was the first bashguard designed to direct impact forces away from the chainring. This new impact flexure design Turbocharger gives all of the strength of the original Supercharger, with a sub 100g weight!

Direct Mount Bashguard - Another groundbreaking idea was brought to the sport of downhill by e*thirteen when they applied for patents on the concept of a direct mount bashguard chainguide in 2006. Tested in secret on the World Cup circuit, e*thirteen’s direct mount concept won two World Championships and multiple World Cup races and podium spots before its introduction on the 2008 LG1 and 2009 LG1+. This revolutionary design is well known to downhillers today and was used by Steve Peat in his historic 2009 World Championship win.

Slider type chainguides - Before e*thirteen, all other popular chainguides used two metal plates that sandwiched the chain along with mud, debris, and anything else that you can imagine. e*thirteen’s simple design introduced thermoplastic sliders that kept friction at a minimum and let mud pass through the guide rather than clogging things up. Today almost every chainguide sold follows the e*thirteen archetype.

Direct Mount stem – e*thirteen was one of the first companies to offer a direct mount stem that supported the Rock Shox standard. Their Ali stem was by far the lightest option at the time of release. With 3 stem lengths and 2 bar diameters it offered more adjustability than most products even offered today. It’s wider stance created a stiff interface for more direct handling especially when paired with longer and longer handlebars that were being offered. Many of today’s products show design aspects of this stem many years after its initial release.

Headset reducer cups – e*thirteen was the first company to offer headset reducer cups for 1.5 headtubes. With the e*thirteen reducer cups companies were able to lengthen their headtubes while maintaining the same stack height. This allowed companies to created stronger frames without sacrificing handling. With this lower stack height they were also able to take advantage of geometry changes (changes needs explained better) which weren’t previously available. e*thirteen was also the first company to build angle changing headset reducer cups. In 2007, 2008, and 2009, many World Cup factory teams used e*thirteen angle changing cups to change the head tube angles on their production bikes. Considered a World Cup only product, as of yet, e*thirteen has not offered this product to the riding public.

1×9 guide (XCX) – 1×9 drivetrain setup’s are becoming much more popular in recent years. We are just recently seeing companies come to market with products in order to offer riders more options for 1×9 chainguides. e*thirteen has had working prototypes for 4 years using carbon backplates and an LG1 upper slider. You may see a variation of this product make its way to production in the future.

Made in the USA – Another facet of e*thirteen that may not seem that innovative on the surface but for the biking industry is rather unprecedented in this day in age is the fact that all e*thirteen products are made entirely in the USA. Everything from the bolts to the shipping boxes are made in the United States. What’s even more impressive is how much of the components are actually made in Massachusetts itself. By the end of the year everything e*thirteen sources will be made within the state. This allows them to better facilitate quality monitoring, allow cheaper and faster shipping, as well as give back to the local economy. In fact their injection molding partner is just down the road from their office. This really allows e*thirteen to have a better face to face relationship with their partner for quicker product turnaround if needed, improved processes, and faster prototyping.

A peek at one of the many e*thirteen East Coast Chronicles helmet camera videos to come on Wednesday!