Posted on June 16, 2022 by Jessie-May Morgan
Following the launch of their all-new Grappler Enduro and DH mountain bike tire, e*Thirteen are cranking out a new line of direct mount chainrings for SRAM cranks and their own-brand cranks, and they’re available in a range of anodized finishes to match their Helix R Cassettes, Plus 35 Stems, and Quick Fill Plasma Valves. At the same time, the brand is now offering a wider range of drop lengths for the Vario Infinite dropper seat post. Here’s more.
Both CNC machined from billet AL-7075-T6, riders can choose between the Helix R 3-bolt Direct Mount chainring for SRAM cranks or a Helix R Direct Mount option for e*Thirteen’s own collection of cranks. e*Thirteen tell us that AL-7075-T6 delivers the lightest and longest wear-life chainring without compromising strength, bend resistance, or longevity. The 32t option weighs a claimed 51g (3-bolt).
Both get e*Thirteen’s Gen 4 narrow-wide tooth profile that is said to deliver improved chain retention and less noise. All Helix Chainrings are designed to function equally well with all 11- and 12-speed SRAM, Shimano, KM, and YBN chains. Chainring sizes include 28t, 30t, 32t and 34t, all available in Naranja, Intergalactic, Grey, Bronze and Eggplant.
All new e*Thirteen Helix R Direct Mount chainrings retail at $69.95.
The cable-actuated Vario Infinite dropper is now available in a wider range of drop lengths, covering everything from the 90mm you might see on children’s bikes or XC race bikes, right up to 210mm you might see on XL enduro mountain bike frames. There are four droppers to choose from, each offering tool-free top-out adjustment of drop length over a 30mm range:
That tool-free adjustment of where the dropper tops out is available in 5mm increments over the 30mm range. That should allow riders to slam the post as far into the seat tube as possible, then dial back the drop length from top-out to achieve the maximum usable drop.
The Vario Infinite features a AL-7050-T7 forged stanchion that exceeds ISO standards for MTB even at 210mm of travel. Internals comprise an air spring, replaceable composite bushings and brass keys said to resist binding for long-term durability and a low-friction function. The force required to compress the dropper is said to be 20% less than that required for the posts of competing brands.
The Vario Infinite dropper head allows for a 28° range of saddle angle tilt, and 12mm of fore/aft saddle adjustment. Sold separately is the Vario remote that weighs a claimed 75g. That runs on a sealed cartridge bearing with a short throw forged alloy lever.
All Vario Infinite droppers retail at $219 USD. With the dropper comes 6 x 5mm travel adjust spacers. The Vario lever comes separately at a price of $49.95 USD.
Jessie-May Morgan is the UK & Ireland Tech Editor of Bikerumor. She has been writing about Mountain Bike Riding and Racing, and all the technology that comes along with it for 3 years. Prior to that, she was an Intern at the Mountain Bike Center of Scotland, and a Mountain Bike Coach and Leader in the Tweed Valley, and prior to that, a Biological Research Scientist at the University of Edinburgh. Based in Innerleithen, Scotland, Jessie-May can regularly be seen riding the Tweed Valley’s Enduro and Downhill Tracks, often with a race plate tied to the handlebar.
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TransX is killing it with those seatposts, so many brands using them
I have put the Vario through a bit over the last year and it’s legit. It even worked just fine at the 0 degree Fahrenheit Fat Bike Birkie in 2022. I love being able to slam the collar on the top of the too tall seat tube on my fat bike and get as much travel as possible. No issues with binding either being clamped near the collar…unlike some other posts. I’m only using 140 mm of travel and the return speed is adequate. No idea what a longer travel one would be.
The lever might be a little portly, but the ergonomics and install are solid. Another good choice in the mid range market for using every mm of travel possible.
Disappointed the 30.9 versions only go up to 180mm. I have a 200mm adjustable (+/-30mm) PNW dropper that I love but could really use another 10mm to be able to fully slam my seat post when I wear a particularly burly pair of flats I have for riding gnarly technical stuff. Would love to be able to just use the travel adjustment those days.
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