Bike Nirvana
Yet another cycling blog
e*thirteen extended range cog
July 29, 2016
After the experience I gained from the reverse palace ride, I am eager to add more teeth to my drivetrain, and the most likely candidate is my Niner as it has the cassette compatible for modification.
Currently, the SRAM X0 on the Niner allows 28-36T in "granny" mode that yields 1.62 gain ratio and it is heavier to pedal in ascents compared to my Giant Anthem that has 1.32 gain ratio. Adding this extended range cog will yield 1.39 gain ratio and I am hoping it will help me.
The SRAM PG-1070 can be disassembled to have the 17T cog removed to make way for a big cog. I wanted the Wolftooth Components giant cog (GC40T) that is specifically made for SRAM, but the local source Gran Trail Cycles, do not have one available. They only have the Shimano version which disappoints me.
In the end, I was able to acquire the e*thirteen extended range 42T cog version for SRAM by ordering it from YKK Bikes in Cebu. A few text messages, and payment via BPI Online facilitated the transaction. The following day, it arrived to my delight.
I chose the e*thirteen over Token (also available from the same source) because the former has a specific version for SRAM accouting for the difference in timing over Shimano.
When I got home from work, I measured the clearance from the jockey wheel and I was positive it will clear. I already adjusted the B-screw so that it'll be just plug and play.
The following day, in between a ride and a wedding, I rushed to Life Cycle in Pasong Tamo to have Mang Boy install the cog. It was then that I discovered that what I thought to be a long cage rear derailleur turned out to be medium cage.
I felt like fire extinguished with ice water.
It will still work, as I am aware that a medium cage rear derailleur will have the capacity if I strictly use 1x configuration.
When I got home, I adjusted the front derailleur limit screw to prevent it from shifting to the larger chainring which will wreck my rear derailleur. While I am mentally aware that I shouldn't shift to the 42-42T combination, I might forget and be a loser.
I went to Heroes Bike Trail for the field test and after several laps around the stages, I was pleased with the results.
I hope this e*thirteen holds up until I get a Wolftooth Components version, as the user experiences shared at Chain Reaction Cycles website are just too scary.