Finalists Revealed

The highly anticipated finalists for the 2024 Innovation of the Year were revealed, featuring cutting-edge advancements across the cycling industry. The contenders included the Schwalbe Radial Casing tires, e*thirteen Sidekick, CounterSycle Tuned Mass Damper, Lapierre Spicy, DJI Avinox, and Specialized/Fox Genie.

Innovation of the Year Award

Among these impressive innovations, the award for Innovation of the Year was triumphantly awarded to the e*thirteen Sidekick Hub.

Chain Devices and the O-Chain

In the realm of mountain biking, chain devices are making waves, equipped with various solutions that tackle the ongoing challenges faced by riders. At the forefront is O-Chain, known for its active chainring spider concept, which has become commonplace on the World Cup circuit and popular at trail centers worldwide. e*thirteen has been diligently refining their approach for the past seven years, showcasing prototypes during World Cup events over the last two seasons.

Launch of the Sidekick

Earlier this year, e*thirteen officially launched the Sidekick, setting a new benchmark for elegance in chain-force mitigation. This innovative device seamlessly integrates with a critical component—namely, the rear hub. Despite the internal pusher mechanism adding some complexity, once the system is sealed, it operates without any indication of the intricacy involved. Remarkably, it requires no unusual service intervals beyond standard hub maintenance, and its durability has been consistently impressive over several months of usage.

Specifications and Features

Weighing in at 408 grams, the Sidekick hub is slightly heavier than options from DT or i9 (which range from 230-300 grams) but lighter than Onyx hubs (465 grams). While this extra unsprung mass might be noticed, it’s comparable to simply adding tire sealant or choosing a lower-tier cassette. Thankfully, the Sidekick is available as a standalone product, allowing enthusiasts to customize their wheel builds to their liking.

Performance

When it comes to functionality, the Sidekick excels at what one would expect from a chain device: it dramatically enhances suspension feel, minimizes drivetrain feedback, and silences noise from the bike. Initial ride impressions have been overwhelmingly positive, and further comprehensive reviews will soon detail its comparative performance against other technologies on the market.

Conclusion

As riders explore the nuances of suspension designs, the Sidekick hub is likely to become a favored addition for builds tailored for downhill performance. If you're in the market for a high-end wheelset that promises reduced feedback and increased ride quality, the Sidekick is certainly worth considering. Stay tuned—an exciting era of bike innovation continues to unfold, leaving us eager to see what groundbreaking designs emerge in the coming years!