A Revolution in Ride Dynamics

Sidekick Hubs & Wheels

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    Sidekick Hubs

    Making bikes better by decoupling the drivetrain from the rear suspension, eliminating pedal kickback, and improving rider speed, control, grip, and comfort on descents.

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    Grappler Sidekick Flux Wheels

    Combining the suspension and performance benefits of Sidekick anti-kickback hubs with the control and comfort of engineered compliance from Grappler Flux rims.

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    Sylvan Sidekick Wheels

    Revolutionizing lightweight MTB wheels, by employing the same hub technology as our World Cup-winning Grappler Sidekick wheels, and low-profile Sylvan asym All-Mountain rims.
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"Revolution, Not Evolution"

– Fabien Barel (Canyon CLLTV)

Sidekick Hubs

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What is Sidekick?

The Sidekick Hub by e*thirteen is a revolutionary rear mountain bike hub designed to enhance suspension performance by eliminating pedal kickback and filtering chain vibration. 

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How does Sidekick Work?

A proprietary freehub mechanism disengages the drivetrain from the rear wheel when coasting, and an adjustable engagement deadband filters kickback and chain vibration before it reaches the pedals, isolating all pedal feedback from the suspension.

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What is Pedal Kickback?

Pedal kickback occurs when suspension movement applies tension to the chain, causing unwanted pedal movement and compromising suspension performance. 

More about Sidekick Hubs

Features

  • A timed pusher in the freehub allows pawls to retract from the ratchet
  • Tool-free adjustable deadband (12°, 15°, and 18°)
  • Captive thread endcap for tool-free cleaning and maintenance
  • Replaceable ratchet for complete serviceability
  • Steel axle for stiffness and reliability

Rider Comfort & Speed

  • Assists riders to maintain a neutral position on downhills
  • Flat pedal riders will experience a planted feel with more control
  • Eliminates drivetrain clatter and chain vibration when descending
  • Allows for smoother and quieter shifting 
  • Whisper quiet when freewheeling
  • Reduced drag equals free rolling speed

Suspension Performance

  • Eliminates pedal kickback in nearly all situations, giving a “chainless” feel
  • No change is needed in rear shock compression and rebound tune
  • Simplifies suspension setup window by allowing free suspension movement
  • More active suspension while braking
  • Spend up to 50% more time in the mid-stroke (sweet spot) of travel
  • Provides the feeling of more available travel

The Sidekick Edge

  • Unseen Suspension Saboteur

    There is a misconception that the effects of pedal kickback are something always perceptible to the rider. Pedal kickback and its knock-on effects dramatically degrade suspension performance even when riders don’t feel it happening. Sidekick is the first and only solution that isolates the drivetrain from suspension while freewheeling. This eliminates pedal kickback in nearly all riding situations, silences chain and freewheel clatter, and provides a whisper-quiet freehub ratchet.

  • The Superior Suspension Solution

    Other crank spider-based solutions attempt to eliminate pedal kickback but do not disconnect the drivetrain from the frame suspension. In fact, while helpful in damping pedal kickback forces, with this type of solution, kickback, and chain vibration must happen for the device to function. Sidekick is a superior technology because it eliminates these forces by disconnecting the drivetrain from suspension movement.

  • Engagement Overload

    While faster engagement might be marketed as an advantage, it doesn’t improve suspension performance. For instance, while coasting at 15 mph (25 kph) a hub with 1-degree engagement can engage over 1000 times per second, leading to significant pedal kickback and poor suspension performance. A hub with 18-degree engagement in the same scenario can engage over 60 times per second, also resulting in a high likelihood of pedal kickback.

What can you expect?

Improved Suspension Performance and Traction

With pedal kickback and chain vibration isolated from the suspension, your bike and rear shock act as they were designed, smooth and predictable in any terrain, at any speed, even during heavy braking. Efficient and predictable suspension means better traction and more control, providing confidence to push harder and ride faster! Sidekick is equally at home on long-travel Enduro and DH bikes, shorter-travel Trail or All-Mountain bikes, and Class 1 e-bikes.

Free Speed

Freehub pawls are disengaged during coasting minimizing drag. With your suspension working more efficiently and the lack of drag from the freehub pawls, there is a noticeable increase in how speed is carried through both smooth and rough terrain.

More Comfort & Less Fatigue

As your bike works more efficiently to absorb bumps and impacts, your legs and body work less, control and comfort increase, and fatigue is reduced. This means longer, more enjoyable rides, the confidence to push hard on the longest tracks, and improved body positioning. 

Reduced Vibration and Chain Slap

With chain tension filtered within the Sidekick freehub’s deadband, expect less vibration to be transferred to your feet, meaning a quieter, more comfortable ride.

Near Silent Operation 

With the freehub pawls disengaged from the drivetrain during coasting and chain slap nearly eliminated, Sidekick wheels are whisper-quiet, providing a more immersive riding experience, where the only sounds you hear are your tires on the trail. 

Adjustable Deadband

The adjustable pawl-pusher allows the deadband in Sidekick hubs to be easily tuned between 12°, 15°, and 18°, for customization to personal preference, bike kinematics, and the terrain you’re taking on. 

Grappler Sidekick Flux Wheels

More than a component, it's a revolution in ride dynamics!

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What is Flux?

Inspired by the legendary strength and durability of our LG1 Race rims, our riders called for discipline-specific DH and Enduro rims that pair our historic resilience with a more forgiving and compliant ride. The Grappler Flux Rim is our response: a masterpiece of engineering designed to deliver the robustness racers trust, with enhanced ride quality for peak performance and comfort.

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How are Flux rims different?

Grappler Flux rims are a fusion of unique low-profile rim sections materialized in high-modulus carbon fiber or 6069-AL, meticulously engineered for the ultimate balance of strength and compliant, controlled ride feel. These innovative rims redefine performance in mountain biking, offering a new dimension of durability, ride quality, and comfort. 

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Who is it for?

Tailored for the competitive racer and the passionate enthusiast alike, Grappler Flux rims are available in Enduro and DH variations. Grappler Sidekick Flux wheels come in all popular axle configurations and are suitable for class 1 e-bike use. They’re the ideal choice for riders who challenge the limits of speed and agility on fast, aggressive tracks and trails while desiring more comfort, reduced fatigue, and enhanced traction.

More about Grappler Sidekick Flux Wheels & Rims

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Sidekick Flux Wheels - Features

  • Application-specific low-profile rim designs for optimized Enduro and DH
  • 30mm Inner width gives exceptional lateral stability while optimizing tire profiles
  • Hookless flanges for set-and-forget tubeless security and impact resistance
  • Available in high-modulus carbon or welded 6069-AL constructions
  • Sidekick rear hubs in Boost & Super Boost Enduro / 157mm & 148mm DH
  • XD, Microspline, HG, mini-HG, and integrated 7-speed cassette freehub options
  • Captive thread endcap for tool-free cleaning and maintenance

Sidekick Flux Wheels - Benefits

  • Sidekick hubs disconnect the drivetrain from the rear suspension
  • Eliminates pedal kickback and improves rider control, grip, and comfort
  • Engineered rim compliance reduces impact forces and vibration
  • Tuned compliance improves traction and tracking and reduces wheel deflection
  • The same legendary toughness of our World Cup LG1 and Grappler rims
  • Lifetime replacement policy on carbon rims, 5-year crash replacement on alloy
  • Suitable for both mountain and class-1 e-bike use

Sidekick Flux Rims - Features

  • Low-profile 17.5mm height Enduro carbon/alloy, and DH alloy
  • 20mm DH carbon profile height balances compliance and impact strength
  • 30mm Inner Width provides lateral stability and optimizes tire profiles
  • Available in high-modulus carbon or welded 6069-AL constructions
  • Optimized DH and EN designs balance durability, weight, and compliance
  • Hookless flanges for set-and-forget tubeless security and impact resistance

Sidekick Flux Rims - Benefits

  • Engineered compliance reduces impact forces and vibration
  • Enhanced comfort and reduced rider fatigue
  • Tuned compliance improves traction and tracking and reduces wheel deflection
  • The same legendary toughness of our World Cup LG1 and Grappler rims
  • Lifetime replacement policy on carbon rims, 5-year crash replacement on alloy
  • Suitable for both mountain and class-1 e-bike use

What can you expect?

Reduced Fatigue

Grappler Flux wheels significantly reduce vibration and harshness transmitted to the rider, ensuring better control at high speeds and reducing rider fatigue. Sustain higher speeds for longer runs, navigate with precision at the edge of control, and finish rides with energy to spare.

Enhanced Traction

The rim and tire work in unison to improve grip on the trail, increasing control and affording the confidence to push in technical terrain. With the enhanced traction from Flux compliant rims, the suspension setup can be optimized for speed and enjoyment. 

Reduced Tire Deflection - Improved Tracking

With perpendicular compliance optimized, Grappler Flux wheels reduce tire deflection and track precisely through even the roughest sections of trail, without the annoying tire-roll-over feel of some compliant rim designs on the market.

Guaranteed Durability 

Grappler Flux rims share the same legendary strength that has made LG1 and Grappler Race wheels famous on the World Cup DH and Enduro stages as the only wheels that perform stop after stop, throughout the season. We stand behind them with a lifetime warranty on carbon hoops and a 5-year crash replacement policy on alloy. 

Hassle-Free Setup and Service

Our innovative captive thread endcap means end-caps conveniently thread on and off by hand without creating the preload on bearings and allowing tool-free service. Grappler Flux Wheels come with e*thirteen tubeless tape, and Quick Fill Tubeless Valves installed. They’re fully compatible with all popular tire inserts, providing additional protection and peace of mind.

Sylvan Sidekick Wheels

Blending a light and dynamic ride feel with the robustness required for aggressive trail riding

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What can you expect?

  • More efficient and predictable suspension performance
  • Reduced rider fatigue
  • Free Speed
  • Enhanced traction and tracking
  • Lively and dynamic ride feel
  • Whisper-quiet operation

Sylvan Race Carbon Rims

  • Constructed from high-modulus carbon fiber with a 23mm profile height
  • Include a clever valve dock for improved tubeless sealing on asymmetric rims
  • 450g weight (29”), 7x impact strength vs previous TRS race carbon rims
  • Backed by a lifetime free rim replacement warranty

Sylvan Race Alloy Rims

  • 6069-AL construction, featuring welded joints and angle-drilled spoke holes
  • Low profile 20mm sectional height for exceptional compliance
  • 567g weight (29”), 4x impact strength vs previous TRS Plus rims
  • Dramatically improve ride feel and control
  • Backed by a 5-year crash replacement policy
Shop Sidekick Hubs
Shop Sidekick Wheels