FAQ
e*thirteen cassettes make a great choice for all sorts of bikes, but you'll need to carefully consider your parts selection to get the best possible performance.
| Cassette | Compatible Drivetrain Parts |
| XCX 11 Speed - 9-34T |
Shimano:
SRAM:
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| XCX 11 Speed 9-39T / 9-42T |
Shimano:
SRAM:
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Shimano:
SRAM:
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Shimano:
SRAM:
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"Unofficial Solutions"
The chart above shows the many off-the-shelf options which can work with e*thirteen cassettes. In addition to these, there are many aftermarket upgrades available to either increase the capacity of certain road derailleurs or to modify the operation of others.
While we have not tested most of these solutions in any rigorous way, we have had good success with some adapter products from Wolf Tooth Components, and more recently with the 12 speed upgrade for SRAM mechanical shifters from Ratio Technology.
If you've had good success with an alternative setup, post a comment below or shoot us a message and we'll update our list!
Helix 11 Speed 946 - No backwards compatibility
11 speed Helix parts are not backwards compatible with 11 speed TRS+ cassettes, regardless of generation.
Helix 12 Speed 950 - Yes!
12 Speed Helix 950 parts are backwards compatible with 12 speed 950 TRS+ cassette parts.
The Fine Print - misaligned lock screw
The first production batch of Helix 950 Cassettes included an error in the location of the lock screw. Because of this error, if a Helix steel piece is installed on a TRS+ aluminum section or vice versa, the lock screw holes will not line up!
This includes all Helix cassette parts with date code 39M or earlier. This code will be laser etched on the cassette pieces with the rest of the date code. Where can I find my Date Code?
Helix parts with version code date code 40M or later are directly compatible with TRS+ parts.
Regardless of this hole misalignment, you can still use any Helix parts with TRS+ parts. We have developed a special lock screw to deal with the hole misalignment.
Please contact e*thirteen support if you have this issue and we will be happy to supply you with this lock screw.
The Helix cassette was designed as an ultra-light high performance cassette for pedal bikes without engines. We do not recommend it for use with e-bikes. If you are looking for a cassette for your ebike, our TRS+ cassettes are e-spec approved and work great for ebike applications.
The cage capacity of 11 speed derailleurs will not support a size larger than 46T. A 12 speed derailleur would be required for a 50T cassette cog so due to this incompatibility, we do not offer the kit with a 9-50 cassette.
Answer: It depends on your rear derailleur capacity.
The ability to use TRS or XCX cassettes with a 2x system is strictly dependent on the capacity of the rear derailleur. Your derailleur capacity is the maximum amount of slack chain the rear derailleur cage can handle. The more potential slack, the bigger a derailleur cage you need. 2x systems generally require more capacity than 1x systems.
Capacity is found by taking the difference between your largest and smallest front and rear gears.
(Difference between tooth count on smallest and largest chainring) + (Difference between tooth count on smallest and largest cassette cog) = Capacity.
For example, if you are running 22-36 chainring and 9-39 cassette then: (36-22) + (39-9) = 44. This means you need a derailleur with a capacity rating of more than 44 for your 2x system to function correctly.
Please reference your derailleur models technical specifications to find information about specific model capacity.
Answer: e*thirteen cassettes are all compatible with both XD™ and XDR™ drivers.
XDR™ is a freehub body standard designed by SRAM™ to allow the installation of 12-speed road cassettes on an XD-style freehub body. It is 1.85mm longer than XD™, but otherwise identical.
To use an e*thirteen cassette with an XDR™ driver, place a 1.85mm shim behind the cassette on the driver during installation.
Most wheels with XDR hubs will supply the necessary shim with the wheel. If your wheel or hub didn't come with this shim, you should be able to contact the manufacturer to supply a shim.
XCX cassettes are supplied with the necessary shim in the box!
e*thirteen cassettes are designed for long term, quiet operation. However, like most high-precision bicycle components, periodic maintenance is required for best results.
Most cassette creaking noise can be resolved by disassembling the cassette, applying a liberal coat of grease to the contact points between the steel and aluminum pieces, and re-assembling.
Check out one of these articles to see how, depending on your cassette:
How to install/remove Gen 2 TRS and XCX 11 speed cassettes
12s Upgrade: How to install your 12s TRS Plus cassette
Special Note - Cassette End Bushing
All current e*thirteen cassettes use a teflon filled Delrin bushing to support the steel portion of the cassette. If this bushing is left out during assembly, your cassette will creak, and may be damaged!
It's a good idea to check to make sure this bushing is installed if you're getting persistant loud creaking from your cassette.
If you have a 9-42 10-speed or 9-44 11-Speed cassette, please see this article: My TRS+ 9-44 cassette is creaking, how can I fix that?
Yes!*
*With a few setup tips and the proper chain.
Note: For best results, our new Helix 12 speed cassettes are specifically designed to work with Shimano™ 12 speed MTB drivetrains.
The new Shimano™ 12 speed XTR™, XT™, and SLX™ groups are excellent kit, and you probably want to run one. We invested a lot of hours in setting up and riding these parts so we can recommend the best setup to maximize performance with our e*thirteen 12 speed cassettes. For everything we know on the subject, jump over to our comprehensive guides.
Quick Tips:
- Chain length is king. It is critical to follow Shimano's chain length instructions for proper performance. (These instructions are also contained in our comprehensive guides!)
- Chain selection is important. Shimano's new 12s chains (CN-9100, etc) were designed to work specifically with Shimano's new 12s cassettes.. and may cause problems with other cassettes. Choose a chain according to the attached design graphic for best performance with your e*thirteen cassette. (These instructions are also contained in our comprehensive guides!)
- Setup may be a little different than you're used to. Shimano™ 12s spacing is a little different than SRAM™. Our cassettes were largely designed around SRAM™ spacing, since that's all that existed when we started! This means you need to focus your attention on the largest steel sprocket on your e*thirteen cassette. Set up your shifting and limit screws as normal, then check for rubbing in the largest steel sprocket, and fine-tune to eliminate that noise.
- B-Limit tuning. The setup markings on the Shimano™ 12s derailleurs are designed for their 51T large sprockets, and thus don't translate directly to the large sprockets on our 9-46T and 9-50T cassettes. The short answer is you probably need to adjust the b-limit screw out a bit to get the best shifting performance. (Did we mention our comprehensive guides? they've got instructions to dial this in.)
There are a large number of variables that go into how long a cassette will last. This makes it difficult to give a specific number of hours or miles that a cassette will last before needing replacement. Some of those variables include riding conditions, personal gearing preferences, front chainring size, drivetrain maintenance.
For example, a rider who regularly rides in muddy conditions and with long sustained climbs that favor one or two of the alloy cogs will wear a cassette much quicker than one riding in mild conditions with undulating terrain that spreads out chain position and wear across more of the cassette.
Two of the best things you can do to maximize the life of your cassette is to regularly check your chain for wear (and replace when necessary) and keep your drivetrain clean and lubed.
For riders in places with flat terrain riding frequently in the smaller cogs, increasing the size of your chainring will result in more frequently being in the middle section of the cassette which can improve longevity.
For riders in places with big climbs frequently in larger alloy cogs, reducing the size of your chainring can result in more time being spent on the steel portion of the cassette which can improve longevity.
Yes, this setup is compatible.
No, due to differences in cog spacing and different interfaces this is not possible.
Contact us (link to contact page) and we will help trouble shoot and make sure you are up and riding as soon as possible.
Yes. Yes, it is.
No, you must use a 12 speed chain.
No.
TRS+ 12 speed Upgrade Kit can only be used to upgrade SRAM™ 11 speed systems.
Hope XD drivers are undersized at the clamp location and not technically in the XD standard spec. Due to this, a shim is required to ensure the cassette clamp functions properly. Please see the cassette section of our support site for install instructions.
New cassettes with the clamp attachment include a shim kit in the box.. don't throw it out!
Please contact your local distributor or e*thirteen directly and we will supply one free of charge.
Steel and alloy cassette clusters from TRS+ 9-46 11s (FW1TPA-102) and TRS Race 9-46 11s (FW1TRA-100) cassettes are cross-compatible.
Parts from TRS+ 9-42 10s and TRS+ 9-44 11s cassettes are not cross compatible with any other cassettes.
For Shimano drivetrains both GS (short) and SGS (long) cage derailleurs will work. We typically recommend long cage versions as they tend to shift a bit smoother.
For Sram there is only one cage length option in the 11sp derailleur lineup.
In most cases, when a cassette won't turn to lock together is it because the steel portion of the cassette is not fully seated onto the XD driver.
We make the fit between the cassette bushing and the XD Driver very snug, so that the cassette won't move and shift in use. This can, however, lead to issues during installation.
Occasionally grease on the XD Driver end under the plastic bushing can get trapped between the bushing and the driver, which stops the bushing from pressing all the way on.
Solution: Remove the steel cassette part and plastic bushing, and wipe off as much grease as possible, then reinstall.
The plastic bushing in all our current cassettes is a teflon filled delrin, so it requires the bare minimum of grease to aid installation and prevent noise.
The TRS+ and TRS Race cassettes were designed to work well with either Shimano or SRAM 11 speed drivetrains.
For Shimano drivetrains both GS (short) and SGS (long) cage derailleurs will work.
We recommend Shimano™, SRAM™, or KMC™ chains.
That doesn't mean others won't work, but we have tested and ridden chains from these manufacturers extensively, and we are confident that they perform well with our 11 speed cassettes.
We highly recommend using a new or nearly new chain when you install your new e*thirteen cassette!
Note: this service applies only to Generation 1 TRS+ Cassettes, 9-42T and 9-44T.
If you have a newer, 9-46T 11 or 12 speed TRS+ or TRSr cassette with creaking issues, read the article here: Troubleshooting Cassette noise (TRS+, TRSr, XCX)
We have found that certain freehub bodies may interact with our cassette in such a way that noise can occur under load. We have made changes to newer production runs of the cassette to solve this potential problem.
Follow these steps to cure your creak, if you detailed install and removal instructions you can find those here: http://service.bythehive.com/c/Cassette
Step 1:
Grease under the 9-10t cogs on the steel portion of the cassette. 
Step 2:
If greasing doesn't solve your issue, contact your nearest distributor for a creak fix kit. The kit includes a spacer and small PTFE washer.
Remove your cassette, install the silver spacer under the cassette
Re-install the aluminum cogs and lockring
Install the PTFE washer and make sure it is seated on the XD driver
Re-install the steel portion of the cassette.