S-Ride's 13-Speed Drivetrain - Taipei Cycle Show 2019

Mar 27, 2019
by James Smurthwaite  
photo


S-Ride may not be a name you're familiar with and, to be honest, neither were we, but we stumbled across their booth in Taipei and surprisingly found a fully functioning 13-speed mountain bike drivetrain.

We can only find their products on Ali Express and our lack of Chinese and their lack of English didn't help to clear many things up, but there was a working version to try out. It had an action that could best be described as robust with the gears clunking into place after a bit of persuasion, but we were assured that on the trail it would work better than on the stand.


photo
The 13-speed cassette has eight smaller silver cogs made from steel and five black ones made from aluminum. The cogs are at 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-36-40-46 and 52 teeth.


S-Ride's groupset boasts an 11-52 range on the cassette that should provide more than enough gears for pretty much anyone. The 52 tooth big ring means you get an easier gear than on SRAM Eagle's 50 and even Shimano XTR's 51. This isn't the first 13-speed drivetrain we've seen, though; Rotor debuted their own attempt at Eurobike last year that had a 10-52 range, but it is yet to hit the market as a fully finished product. With both SRAM and Shimano currently sitting at 12-speed, this is the biggest drivetrain going in the market today.


photo
The long cage derailleur is made from aluminum and has a built-in clutch. It weighs 258-grams.


S-Ride produces the cassette, derailleur, and shifter, but the model on the stand was running with a 12-speed KMC chain and a Prowheel chainring and crank. As the cassette has an 11 tooth cog as its smallest gear, it will be compatible with Shimano freehub bodies, not SRAM XD.


photo
The shifter is the final piece of the puzzle. A simple alloy cable spool with an aluminum housing. It weighs 126 grams


Most of S-Ride's components are on the budget end of the spectrum, and this drivetrain doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Rotor's hydraulic effort, so we think this could end up being quite a cheap way to get a huge range on your bike. Final prices are still to be decided but, for comparison's sake, their 11-50 12-speed upgrade kit comes in at around $300 USD.


photo


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Reviews and Tech Drivetrain Taipei Cycle Show Taipei Cycle Show 2019


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161 Comments
  • 190 1
 "but we were assured that on the trail it would work better than on the stand"

Logic.
  • 121 1
 That's normally the exact opposite of how it works lmfao
  • 67 1
 @kdstones does it concern anyone else they couldn't even take the time to cut the extra cable? I mean its on display at a trade show! at least try and make it look presentable!
  • 22 1
 @rockchomper: it's there to show they can modify things to a 29 speed.
  • 19 1
 Someone should also tell them that the seat stays on that bike are snapped. Sorry to be the barer of bad news guys
  • 9 2
 "Fake it until you can make it"
  • 16 1
 But red jockey wheels guys!
  • 12 1
 @sam264: like Shimano TZ Tourney
  • 7 38
flag Juanflight (Mar 27, 2019 at 11:21) (Below Threshold)
 Asian logic, that is! or haven't you seen them driving? LMAO!
  • 4 0
 @rockchomper: they are on a budget.
  • 6 1
 @mnorris122: oh come on! I always get my gears shifting terribly on the stand and then take it out on the trail only to have it perform flawlessly!
  • 6 5
 re: It had an action that could best be described as robust with the gears clunking into place after a bit of persuasion, but we were assured that on the trail it would work better than on the stand.

Right. On a demo stand it doesn't work right, but is supposed to work on the trail. It is acceptable in Chinese culture to deceive and make a fake product(baby formula). If you get swindled, it is on you. No guilt or punishment for the seller. They made a cheap buck.
  • 2 0
 @rockchomper: thats the clutch spring
  • 9 1
 @sutter2k: except, you know, those execs from the baby formula companies who got the death penalty.
  • 6 1
 @rockchomper: This is the Chinese way, like display bikes with 30 spacers under the stem and uncut steerers. Full suspension 29" enduro bikes with 2.1" Commuter tyres. Big Grin
  • 2 0
 oh where do they say that?
  • 3 0
 @JCHILLTOPPERS: 29 speed is so last month, if you're not on 27.5 speed now you're behind
  • 2 1
 Shimano’s new XTR shifts better on the trail than in the stand... I have first hand experience with it. Doesn’t sound like it makes sense but you have to try it to believe it
  • 96 5
 I've been saying it, and I'll say it again. We need 7 speed wide range cassettes (10-45) that have shorter cage derraliers, thicker chains and less margin for slippage due to fitting less gears in the same space. Also save unsprung weight, better clearance from rocks, blah blah blah
  • 16 1
 Microshift Advent 9-speed 11-42..? -- www.microshift.com/en/product-category/mountain/advent
  • 13 1
 Even better, throw a 3 speed hub mechanism in the bottom bracket, and a 4 speed super short derailleur cage in the rear.
  • 10 0
 Sram EX1 is pretty close to that, 8 speed 11-48
  • 8 0
 Sram EX1 would be the ticket if it wasn't so absurdly expensive.

I would also run that on a commuter if it cost like 1/4 of the current price. Could replace my Shimano STX 7-speed drivetrain after 20 years of use.
  • 6 1
 Box Two E-9. 9 speed drive train, 11-50 cassette. Durable, reasonably priced (less than $300). WIN.
  • 2 0
 @phops: that would actually be kind of cool to have one like the 3x9 sturmey archer hub. But if it was built a bit more durable for trail riding rather than commuting.
  • 4 19
flag rocky-x (Mar 27, 2019 at 10:19) (Below Threshold)
 @ratedgg13: TBH i'd rather have a motor so i don't have to worry about derailleurs, hangers, cables, shifters, cassettes, or fitness. how hard is it for them to make a throttle, amirite?
  • 23 0
 @rocky-mtn-gman: this might be the wrong website for you...
  • 5 0
 @m-t-g: The EX1 cassette is outrageously expensive unfortunately.
  • 5 1
 12sp is an horror, deregulation is frequent, chain is narrower and more fragile, and you don't need all those speeds, just a big 50t cog at max and a 10t at min. And those Sram cassettes and damn expensive, not to mention the lack of alternatives of cheap cassettes for an XD body. Few Sram competitors produce those, like Garbaruk, and they are way more expensive then the Shimano ones.
  • 12 0
 @ibishreddin: Can't agree more. Just the fact that your bud Randy or whomst'ever can smoke you on a singlespeed seems to me like reason enough not to need many gears.

Yeah, gears are faster and just better and allow you to do more, but if you still had 11-42 or 46 or what-have-you, how many jumps would you want in between? Personally, I'd like 4, for 6 total speeds. I've got a 10-speed now and as it is I'm always shifting at least two at a time. I wonder if I've even ever used 3 of those gears in the middle.

Weight savings, complexity savings, hopefully dough $aving$, and probably increased entitlement or something because you can do more with less.

Basically I want a low gear that I can go up steep with, I want a silly high gear that I can pedal roads with, and a couple in the middle. I've ridden more speeds and I'm confused about why they exist.
  • 10 0
 You can’t really have a short cage and 45 tooth gear! But you correct with the rest. But think it’ll be a medium cage which would still be fine by me.
  • 3 0
 10-45, 10spd would be spot on but would still require a medium cage mech. New XTR looks good there so hopefully XT will also have that option. Stuck with 12spd though unfortunately.
  • 5 0
 @jbeanbuyer: Yea the only thing the cage length does is add to the capacity of chain that the mech can hold. Doesn't matter how many cogs are back there, if the spread is 35 teeth then you need the appropriate cage size to take up that chain capacity.
  • 8 1
 that will shift like shit. gauranteed. I mean, what will the cogs be 10-17-23-29-35-40-45???????

I would wager that 10>17 and 17>23 wouldn't even shift. at all.
  • 4 2
 This seems like a time for Shimano to bring back 20mm pitch chains. It would make 50 t cassette the size of 40 t cassette.
  • 15 1
 @andyman11: I own it! Microshift advent 9 speed 4 life. Ridden it a handful of times now and 9 speed is where it's at.

I literally SMASHED it with a rock descending a long downhill early in an epic Pisgah day. I'm talking thought I dented my frame bad, but turns out it was the derailleur. Broke a pulley wheel to the point of missing ~1/3rd of the teeth, and bent the cage so bad you could see it from a mile away.

I FINISHED THE FREAKING RIDE. You know why? 9 speed spacing. I bent the thing back, I ignored the horrible noises, and it shifted to enough gears to finish a Pisgah day.

You couldn't have done that with eagle, you couldn't have done that with 11 speed XT. Funny enough, the bike shop in the area had a bunch of them since they were putting them on rental bikes, so day 2 was with a fresh $60 replacement.

SCREW ALL THESE EXTRA GEARS.
  • 6 0
 @y0bailey: Stoked to hear it works and isnt total junk. We joked about it at my shop initially. But the more I look at the benefits (cost and performance) I want it for myself. I'm in dentist and CEO epicenter here in NorCal Bay Area suburb. Its actually harder to down sell most of these riders than up-sell. Oh well..
  • 3 0
 @acali: and it would have all the mechanical advantage of a conventional 40t cog too....
  • 6 1
 I just put 2x back on my bike. A little heavier, but better Smile
  • 2 0
 @phops: this. Climing gear, descending gear, hammer gear.

Where is that nerd (mean this in the most pleasant way) that keeps building stuff we don’t need for bikes (ABS was the last bit I recall)? Come on man - build something we need and want!
  • 3 0
 @conoat: why would they be even tooth spacing? Current cassettes aren't. 11-13-15-18-22-26-31-36-42-48 or whatever. Keep the percentages right the same and your good to go. I shift 11 to 16 pretty regular in a single throw.
  • 1 0
 @conoat: I wondered if that would be the case. Although, you ever seen those extra big granny gears on cheapo cassettes? They actually do shift okay, and that's not even with nice parts.
  • 1 0
 I'm not going as far as 7 speeds..But I am doing all I can to stay away from more than 11. My personal11 speed stuff works just fine, But every one of my customers bikes that run 12 speed need constant gear adjustments. 9-46 E thirteen trs cassette and I just ride it. More range than Eagle and WAY less headaches.
  • 1 0
 @y0bailey: good review
  • 1 0
 Pfffft, I want a CVT for my bike where the chainring and the only sprocket in the back continuously change size as I keep a fixed cadence. Obviously the chain should also grow/shrink on demand. Oh yea, and electromagnetic suspension.
  • 2 0
 I need 4 speed 36-42-46-52. Because that’s all I use anyway.
  • 33 3
 This is getting a bit boring, still a derailleur, still adding unsprung mass out of the gravity center, huge cogs and longer chains and mech arms needed...is this really an improvement? Can´t the companies just bring on some lightweight pinion or something like that? So you´ve bring up new cassete, with more cogs then others and you use it to bring up the same limits...11-52 while so many riders is on 30-32t chainring.....so 10 as the smallest would be fine.

Yeah I am still on 1x10 zee, god bless
  • 13 0
 You gain everything from 10sp except the range. Less weight, less finicky, shorter cage derralier, beefier chain
  • 6 0
 Hi, I'm on Zee 1x10, too, nice to meet you !!!
  • 2 0
 @tulipanek: I'm 1x10 Zee guy as well when I'm not on SS.
  • 32 9
 How fat or out of shape do you need to be to want a 52? Or do you enjoy riding up trails that are meant for chairlifts?
  • 6 1
 This should get so many more up-votes.
  • 13 4
 Some of us do enjoy riding trails when the chairlift isn't running. I run a 26T chainring with a 11-50T cassette and sometimes I wish I had an even lower gear!
  • 20 3
 LOL. come to the west coast and ride an actual mountain, then get back to me.
  • 9 2
 @SintraFreeride: Yup me too. Evidently a lot of PB'ers don't know what real climbing is.
  • 7 1
 @conoat: Colorado checking in. The first time I rode the Monarch Crest broke me. It still does. No shame, though. I'll keep my 30t and Shimano 11-46.
  • 11 4
 @SintraFreeride:
26t and 50? Are you even moving with that gear ratio. Be faster to crawl on your hands and knees. Would waste energy just maintaining balance without any gyroscopic forces or momentum to get over anything
  • 5 4
 30-34 is my smallest gear. No idea how fat you have to be to need a smaller ratio!
  • 4 1
 Come ride this with a 1x9 without walking: www.mtbproject.com/trail/3904340/canyon-creek-loop
  • 4 2
 If you actually care about going fast on flat ground a 50t is nice because it allows you to run a bigger chainring in the front.
  • 4 0
 @clink83: With a smallish 30t ring, a 30-10 at 90rpm and 29 2.3 tire is 23.2mph. You'll only need better if you race. But usually pumping gains as much speed as pedaling unless it's pan flat.
  • 1 0
 @markg1150: lol. I like to set myself uphill challenges. It is slow but on very steep gradients that I want to conquer rather than push it works. I am in the red sometimes which is why I mentioned going even lower. Of course, I am talking about gradients most people other than ebiker would never consider aka stupid steep!
  • 1 0
 @SintraFreeride: How do you get any top speed out of that 26T front ring? I over-spin on my 32/11 combo all the time.
  • 1 0
 @cueTIP: There is actually a pretty good jump from 11 to 10, so a 26/10 on a 29'er is tolerable. I was a die hard 2* guy because of this but once I was forced to go 1* by the frame manufacturers I found I almost never miss that top end, really only needed it for racing down fire roads and riding paved downhill gradients. One reason I'm looking forward to XTR though, with the 51t I will be able to just barely make a 28t work up front.
  • 1 0
 @cueTIP: Where I live it is either super steep uphill or steep enough downhill that you don't need to pedal. So while 26/11 isn't very fast on flat I find I hardly ever use it for normal trail riding. If I head to the bikepark I'll switch over to a 32 front ring.
  • 1 0
 @preston67: I would love a 9-50T cassette so I could run a 26T front ring all the time.
  • 23 2
 That S-Ride derailleur looks like S-Hit
  • 22 1
 Lame. Holding out for 14 speed. Cmon, give the people what they want!
  • 3 1
 The people have spoken.
  • 9 0
 @youknowitsus: *the person has spoken...
  • 4 1
 I swear most people don't even ride bicycles, and the products are the result of people trolling how to make the worst product for people who do.
  • 20 0
 n+1...
  • 9 0
 why? because we can
  • 8 0
 Let n= the current number of rear cogs you have
  • 2 5
 @ibishreddin: I prefer n+1
  • 17 0
 No worries. For warranty issues contact Lots Oh Luk in the claims department.
  • 7 0
 Sorry my boss Candace B. Rittenoff says that damage is not covered. You'll now be transferred to Anita Hammer.
  • 17 1
 fuck off
  • 8 0
 I appreciate you.
  • 13 0
 This is proof we're living in a simulation.
  • 3 0
 The Matrix has us?
  • 6 0
 INSIDE a simulation
  • 7 0
 Worst. Simulation. Ever.
  • 6 0
 In a simulation, Inside a simulation! Wubba lubba dub dub!
  • 2 0
 @glynnondale: inside another simulation
  • 10 0
 There is no more space on this side of the wheel. What would be great is to add another derailleur on the left, so when you are on the 13th cog on one side you could go more on the other side. Space for 26 speeds, at least
  • 3 2
 #26aintdead :-)
  • 11 0
 13speed! before long catching your mech on a rock wont be an issue - catching your cassette will! hahaha
  • 12 0
 at what point should you just try and pedal harder?
  • 1 0
 @Drop2Flat Can't believe you didn't get more upvotes on this. Must be a lot of Eagle lovers on here.
  • 9 0
 I hope this trend spirals out of control and we eventually see a direct drive between the chainring and a gear machined into the rim. 1800% range anyone?
  • 4 0
 CeramicSpeed has already done that!
  • 10 1
 9, 10, 7, 11, 12, 13. Insane.

(6+9)+(6x9) = ...I know where the front door is. I'll see myself there.
  • 6 0
 Usually I don't buy into the the industry is doing stuff purely for money not improvement tin foil hat stuff. But the drive train department is total bs. I blame sram for leading it that way. But both sram and shimano gave up on 10 spd before they got that right.
  • 12 2
 No
  • 8 0
 I appreciate you.
  • 9 0
 Enough already!
  • 4 1
 Thanks.
  • 5 0
 I would start directly thinking about an hybrid rear wheel: by half made out of spokes.. other half made out of cogs
advantage: truing only one side and climbing like spider man... cheers!
  • 7 0
 Mountain bikers: Can we just get a lighter and more efficient gearbox system?
Industry: How about another cog?
  • 9 2
 For the love of Jebus….Stop.
  • 5 2
 Can Jebus change my gears for me? If so I’m in, and praise to Jebus.
  • 7 0
 And it weighs one millllllllion grams...
  • 8 2
 I'm still on 11. Demoed a number of bikes that all had 12 and couldn't tell a difference where I ride tbh.
  • 2 6
flag SnowshoeRider4Life (Mar 27, 2019 at 9:41) (Below Threshold)
 yeap! people racing big proper enduros (like ews or a bike park enduro) can benefit from the 1x12 but for the avg rider in a normal trail system, 1x11 is proper.
  • 5 2
 Your profile says you live in Florida. All good. That said, the range of most 12 speeds now provide tighter jumps between gears and the improved capacity of going up and down for 1 x systems in areas like Colorado where I live. Great to have choices.
  • 4 0
 @bman33: I haven't always lived in Florida, so I do know what a proper climb is and feels like. Agreed that more choices is typically better, but 13 speeds seems a bit much considering the range of 11 and 12 speeds with the combination of small chain rings. And why not just jump to 14 or 15 instead of gradually taking these incremental steps?
  • 2 2
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: bro, it’s kinda the other way around. The 50 Tooth is a bailout gear. The pros just use eagle bc they’re being payed to sell us more crap. 11 sp is more than enough
  • 2 0
 @2003Rider: the point is you can run a larger front chainring with the bailout gear. Thus way more top end speed. Imagine being able to push a 36t front cog instead of a 32 but have all the top end speed of a dh bike and better climbing.

oof to all the downvoters
  • 3 0
 When do we get a Pinbike review of Sunshine cassettes? At last Vellofollies expo, the dutch Sunrace distributor complained those chinese Sunshine cassettes were pale copies.

I have Sunrace cassettes (10sp 42t, 11sp 50t) on some of my bikes, love them so far.
  • 5 0
 These huge cassettes are getting out of control. Someone should develop a smaller cassette paired with a double chainring and front derailleur....
  • 4 0
 Why donwe need or want this on a mtb? Im already double or triple shifting with my 11 speed cassette because there isnt enough difference from one gear to the next. Give me an 8 speed 11-46.
  • 3 0
 So by 2025 we'll have 20-spd cassettes and shifters patterned after semi-truck gearboxes. You'll need to flip 3 switches, jam your left index finger into your right eye scoket, tickle the balls on the nearest gecko, then push your shift lever in three times to access the second 10 cogs. If it doesn't work the first time, then you do it again, all the while double-clutching your riding buddy's wife's left breast
  • 7 1
 XX1 11-speed, on sale. Over and out.
  • 2 4
 Fer real?
  • 5 1
 @youknowitsus: Yea, always been flawless and never wished for more than 11 speeds.
  • 5 0
 shimano has had a 14 speed system patented since 99! it also uses a rollerless chain.
  • 5 0
 Am I the only person who has absolutely zero desire to have this many gears?
  • 4 1
 I’m not sure about anybody else but what I like about Eagle and Garbaruk is the STEEL 42t. The 50t is nice to have occasionally but this, XTR, and Ethirteen with the last few cogs in aluminum, no thanks!
  • 5 0
 Single speed is already too much for me, some times I ride chain less. And I love walking too. And its very cheap.
  • 6 1
 why not 18, like in pinion??
  • 5 0
 I think I speak for all of us when I say: GTFOOH
  • 2 2
 Core riders know.
  • 3 0
 It looks like an actual 8 speed cassette from back in the day, with some ridiculous dinner plate cogs added to the inside. Nice!
  • 3 1
 Why is there no boutique company out there improving on the gear box and making super lightweight ridiculously priced carbon/titanium versions that will eventually trickle down to be affordable for the rest of us?
  • 1 0
 This reminds me of when Datsun put a second gas gauge on their 300zx. Yes a second gas gauge. It told you how much was left in the last 1/8 tank. Totally redundant, just like having more than 9 gears.
Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
  • 4 0
 Nobody needs this. Cassette ratios have already reached saturation point.
  • 4 0
 It was getting stupid at 12 .... 13 it is asinine
  • 2 2
 I don't see the point for MTB use. SRAM's 10-15 12sp has a 500% range. Shimano's 10-51 12sp has a 510% range. This has a 472% range. Sure, it has narrower steps between gears, but MTBers don't want that. I once tried running a 12-27 9sp on my MTB and felt like I had to make too many shifts. I currently have an e.thirteen 9-46 11sp with 511% range, and the steps seem fine.
  • 3 0
 Yup e-13 11 speed with inexpensive long cage xt derailleur and shifter works perfect for me.
  • 3 1
 A friend had 12 speed and always says the chain line when he uses the larger ring is ridiculous, he had broken two chains in 5 months... I'm happy with 10 speed
  • 3 0
 this is too funny...Ima go ride my 11 speed and hope I don't run out of gears.. ????
  • 4 0
 Yeah lets add some more unsprung mass
  • 4 0
 What's next?! TWO front chainrings??? Maybe 3??? The revolution is coming.
  • 3 0
 Looking forward to 2021 and the coming of 15 speeds cassettes.
  • 6 2
 3x aint dead!
  • 3 0
 I do miss that huge chainring on downhill sections of fire road...
  • 3 1
 they don't have a cable cutter? or that cable loop is part of the Shimano TZ Tourney look?
  • 4 0
 needs a front derailleur
  • 3 0
 Pfft. I'll wait for the 14sp.
  • 3 0
 Remember the log splitter chain ring up front? It's moving to the back.
  • 2 0
 Like walking under a ladder or breaking a mirror. Just can't bring myself to do it.
  • 3 0
 I'm patenting a 20 speed drive train now before it comes out next year.
  • 4 0
 but why male models?
  • 1 2
 What huge range? It doesn't even have 500%. It doesn't touch neither Sram Eagle, 2019 Shimano nor e*13's offers. It does offer the closest gears of all, which is something no one really asks for for off-road riding. A bike with bigger gear jumps would be perfectly rideable, and lighter.
  • 3 0
 For 13 I'd want a 10-11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-24-27-31-35
  • 2 0
 10 is enough for me..11 is maximum..
13? You wanna climb the stairway to heaven?
  • 2 0
 You tell me I need 1, I need 21, I mean 27, I mean 30, no 11, I mean 12, lucky 13 hell yeah. I think you need to stop.
  • 2 0
 Until someone makes a 15 speed derailer. What.... No man. You are talking gorgonzola and it's clearly brie man!
  • 2 0
 Hey 2x or 3x is the answer for all that shit. x1 is a fucking lie, call your trusted mechanical engineer to explain you why.
  • 3 3
 So, it's less than 5:1 but should be "enough for anyone." You know, some of us ride our bikes in all kinds of situations. Even 5:1 blows for all-purpose use.
  • 3 0
 Why not 14?
  • 2 0
 13 Speed, really??? and next year will be 14 Speed, 15 Speed.............
  • 2 0
 whyyy?? what is wrong with what we have? huh?
  • 1 0
 Ive got 18 gears on my bike, and the chain line isn't a bag of wank in the tops and bottoms.
  • 1 0
 I can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking my head up a bull's ass but i'd rather take a butcher's word for it.
  • 1 0
 If they phase out X11, i'm moving to a 7 speed DH drive train.
  • 1 0
 i'm out there is no need.







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