e*Thirteen’s new TRS+ 12-speed upgrade kit debuted earlier this summer to a lot of excitement in the bike industry. 12-speed drivetrains are the benchmark of shifting performance and drivetrain range, allowing riders to push the limits of both flat-ground speed and climbing ability with the durability and dependability of a single-ring setup. The ability to upgrade an older 11-speed SRAM drivetrain to a new 12-speed model provides enough benefits in itself, but e*Thirteen delivers this upgrade at a significantly lower cost and weight than an upgrade to SRAM Eagle. The TRS+ kit lets you upgrade your existing 11-speed SRAM drivetrain to a 12-speed drivetrain without needing new cranks, chainrings, shifters, or derailleurs.
e*Thirteen sells the conversion kit complete with everything you need to upgrade your drivetrain at home- including a small plastic jig for holding your shifter body while you work on it. The conversion is straightforward and painless, and should take you 20 minutes or less. Full instructions can be found on the e*Thirteen website.
The good folks at NSMB recently reviewed the TRS+ Upgrade kit, using an older 11-speed GX system as their base. They admired the improved shifting quality and range, and (especially) the low cost of the kit, coming in just $20 USD more than the cassette alone, and considerably less than a new SRAM system.
image courtesy of NSMB.com
“…anyone who has a compatible 11-Spd SRAM shifter and derailleur in good shape, but needs a cassette and chain, essentially gets a free upgrade in range, and clicks, by buying this kit”
– Andrew Major, NSMB
With shifting performance equal to a high-end SRAM system, thanks to shifter upgrades like a bearing on the shift spool (instead of the bushing found in standard GX shifters) and tighter jumps between gears, the folks at NSMB immediately noticed the difference in performance.
image courtesy of NSMB.com
“…since the e13 shift-spool uses a bearing, like the higher end SRAM shifters, the e13 kit also improved shifting feel – especially once my cable and housing started to get a bit used. ”
-Andrew Major, NSMB
The e*Thirteen TRS+ 12-speed Upgrade Kit is available through your local Live to Play Sports dealer, who will also be able to check compatibility with your current drivetrain, and make the conversion for you as well, if needed.