Race Face Era expands to include eMTB

Race Face continues to expand its Era line and its array of eMTB parts. Those two lines come together in in the new Era eMTB carbon fibre wheelset. For Era, this is in addition to fancy carbon fibre cranks. For eMTB, well, Race Face is well committed go helping you go electric.

Era goes electric

With Era eMTB, Race Face adds a new top end to its line of electric bike-approved wheelsets. It brings the Era design and beefs it up to match the demands of eMTB use. Like the original Era, that we’ve quite enjoyed, and the Era SL lightweight wheels, Era eMTB uses front and rear specific rim profiles designed to meet the demands of high-performance electric riding.

A key performance feature of Era is the rim’s compliance. For the e-version, that compliance is tuned to the added forces of eMTB riding. As are impact resistance. That leaves more lateral compliance up front, with an 18.6mm deep rim, and a tougher 22.6mm rear rim fo impact resistance. The rear gets a thicker “Anvil Edge” bead wall for pinch-flat resistance.

At the centre of the Era eMTB wheels are beefed up Vault hubs. These use a steel axle and maintain a three-degree engagement angle. Race Face also moves to thicker, steel, j-bend spokes for the eMTB version, for easier service. There’s still just 28 spokes up front and 32 in the rear.

All that keeps weights to 1,929g  (claimed weight, without tape or valves) for a set of 29″ wheels, though 27.5″ rear wheels are available. An MX set-up brings the weight down to 1,883g. Race Face offers Microspline or XD driver options. “System weight” (instead of rider weight) is limited to 150kg and a Max torque of 130Nm is recommended.

Race Face Era eMTB: Pricing and availability

Era eMTB starts at $2,150 (USD 1,679) for the carbon fibre, electric mountain bike-specific wheelset. Front wheels are $1,025 (USD 813) and rear wheels are $1,125 (USD 866).  Wheels are available now from Race Face and through dealers.