e*thirteen’s 12 Speed Upgrade Kit

by Brian Mullin on June 25, 2018

Full Kit

Wide Range For The People, Now In 12-Speeds

Introducing the e*thirteen TRS Plus 12 Speed Upgrade Kit which retails for only $299. Upgrade your 11-speed SRAM™ drivetrain to 12 speeds without needing new shifters, derailleurs, cranks, or chainrings. Why spend MORE on SRAM™’s full Eagle™ 12-speed drivetrain, when all you get is LESS range and MORE weight?

MTB Lab Thoughts

The main constituent of their kit is the new 9-46t 12-speed cassette (9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 33, 39, 46) which offers a massive 511% range, and utilizes 2 aluminum cogs and ten steel ones and weighs a respectable 336 grams. Also included in the kit is their 12-speed chain, and upgrade parts to convert your 11-speed SRAM shifter and derailleur to a 12-speed system, and all the necessary tools for that switch.

The cassette installs on an existing XD driver body, and the unique two-piece assemblies two largest cogs are machined from a single piece of EXA+ aluminum alloy, while the ten smaller cogs are made from heat-treated cromoly steel for increased durability, and both are sold separately as replacement parts when they wear out. The aluminum cogset slides onto the XD driver body, and a pinch clamp holds it securely in place, and then the steel cluster meshes with the aluminum ones, and a chain whip locks them together.

Along with the 511% gear range and the drop-in ability of this 12-speed e*thirteen system, an outstanding highlight is the functionality of the tiny 9-tooth cog, which provides some high-speed flying capabilities on the trails while still being able to run a small chainring up front. Also, the cassette is compatible with existing SRAM Eagle 12-speed systems.

I used their 11-speed 9-46t cassette for an extended period and the close gaps between the gears were nicely thought out, and I found it worked well, without any noticeable flat spots and dead zones while pedaling, and the 9-tooth is pretty darn useful. I like the idea of a 12-speed version of the 9-46t cassette along with a conversion kit to take your 11-speed to a 12!

Cassette 1

TRS Plus 12 Speed Cassette

Their 9-46t, 12-speed cassette gives riders 511% range and less weight by using a shorter chain and a smaller chainring to achieve similar gear ratios to other 12 speed drivetrains. Finally, a smaller chainring and more compact drivetrain increase ground clearance, while still offering more range than SRAM™ Eagle™.

  • Replaceable aluminum and steel clusters
  • Shorter chain for weight savings vs. SRAM™ Eagle™ 12 speed
  • Smaller chainring and derailleur offer more ground clearance
  • 336 grams
  • 9-46t cassette (9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 33, 39, 46)
  • Ten steel cogs, two aluminum cogs
  • 511% range
  • Faster shifts in the bigger cogs
  • Updated pinch clamp design avoids proprietary tools
  • XD™ Driver only
  • Compatible with SRAM™ Eagle™ 12 speed drivetrains

Shifter and Derailleur Parts

11 Speed Shifter Upgrade Parts

  • Allows you to convert your 11 speed SRAM™ GX™, X1™, X01™, and XX1™ shifters to 12-speed shifters
  • Includes injection molded shifter spool, one stamped steel ratchet (for SRAM™ GX™, X1™, X01™), one stamped steel ratchet (for SRAM™ XX1™), pivot bolt, washer, and shifter assembly fixture

Derailler Spacers Installed

11 Speed Rear Derailleur Upgrade Parts

  • Allows your 11 speed SRAM™ rear derailleur to work with our 12-speed cassette
  • Works with ALL SRAM™ 11 speed rear derailleurs (SRAM™ NX™, GX™, X1™, X01™, XX1™)
  • Includes two derailleur pulley spacers, one long and one short derailleur cage bolt

e13_build_derailleur_shifter

You’ll have to take apart your shifter and derailleur to install the conversion and adapters pieces to switch from an 11-speed to 12-speed, which is supposed to take around an hour to perform.

Chain Closeup

12 Speed Chain:

  • 268 grams (weight includes 126 links and quick link)
  • 126 links in total
  • Plated and lubricated for durability and precision shifting
  • Includes 12 speed quick connect link

Included Tools

TRS Plus 12 Speed Upgrade Kit

  • TRS Plus 9-46t 12 speed cassette
  • Derailleur pulley spacers (x2)
  • Derailleur cage bolts (x1 long, x1 short)
  • 12-speed shift ratchets (x1 GX™/X1™/X01™, x1 XX1™)
  • Shift spool w/two bearings
  • Shift spool bolt
  • Shift spool washer (GX™/X1™/X01™ shifters only)
  • Shifter assembly fixture
  • 12-speed chain and quick connect link
  • 2.5mm Hex
  • 3mm Hex
  • 4mm Hex
  • T25 Torx Bit
  • Square Bit
  • 5mm hex and bit holder
  • Shift cable and 2000mm cable housing
  • Grease tube

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