Review: Climbing Magic - Aenomaly Construct's "SwitchGrade"

SwitchGrade with Saddle.jpg


What is it?

In short, a device which lets you vary the angle of your saddle on the fly.

Why would you want to do that?

Most of us will set our saddle up so it's comfortable/efficient for pedalling along the flat. One exception might be someone who's only doing uplifts, so they'll set the saddle angled back to give them more space to move around on the descents. The majority of people reading this will be on EMTB's so presumably you're doing most of your own uplifts by pedalling.

The problem with a fixed saddle angle is that you won't have the most ideal saddle angle when you're climbing or descending.

Specialized tried to partially address this with the "Command post WU" a few years ago. Using a secondary inner shaft, the saddle would automatically angle backwards as you lowered the dropper. Advertised as a 150mm dropper, in reality it only dropped about 120mm and the rest was made up by the additional 25-30mm height drop of the rear of the saddle as it tilted backwards.

SwitchGrade and Command Post WU.jpg
Trail tilt level.jpg
Trail Tilt Back.jpg
SwitchGrade compared to a Command Post WU. If you use Specialized logic, then the SwitchGrade gives you about 25-30mm more drop on your seat post.

What does that look like on the bike then?

The SwitchGrade gives you three selectable positions. -10° (tilting forwards), 0° (level), and +12° (tilting back).

In general use, that would mean with the dropper up, you'll most likely be using it in the level position and tilted forwards for climbing.

SwitchGrade Up Back.JPG
SwitchGrade Up Level.JPG
Switchgrade Up Forwards.JPG
Dropper up. SwitchGrade angled back, level & forwards.

In the dropper down position, you'd generally tilt it back so the rear of the saddle is tilted further back and down to give you more space to move around or for more body support (not sliding forwards) if you did sit whilst descending. Whilst tilted back, it also feels more natural if you do pedal in the down position.

SwitchGrade Down Back.JPG
SwitchGrade Down Level.JPG
SwitchGrade Down Forwards.JPG
Dropper down. SwitchGrade angled back, level & forwards.

How does it feel to ride with?

Basically - AMAZING ! I don't need to say anymore. Don't try one or you WILL want one !!

For me, post down, it was nice to have the rearward tilt i'm used to with the WU. It's only when you don't have that you forget how much extra space there is to move around with the back of the saddle a few more CM's out of the way.

The biggest thing though is when climbing ! On an EMTB you find yourself regularly climbing more challenging and steeper trails than you would normally. Correct body position is vital, you're constantly adjusting to balance traction with control whilst trying to keep those hands lose and relaxed.

With the SwitchGrade tilted forwards, your body position and the angle of your spine are placed in a far more natural and efficient position for effective climbing. Climbs where you're normally working hard to keep the front down, whilst stopping the rear spinning up, are taken with relative ease ! You have more traction, more control and your grip relaxes as if you're on the flat. This gives you more energy to focus on your lines, more confidence and time to pick alternative lines and the more consistent traction enables you to climb faster and apply more power.

Ten degrees might not sound or look like much, but the difference it makes is unbelievable. It also feels like more. At the top of a climb when you change back to level, you have to check you've not tilted it backwards because it feels like such a huge difference.

How does it work?
SwitchGrade Operation.gif

The Switchgrade is mounted to the top of your dropper post as a replacement for the saddle clamps. There are 4 types of SwitchGrade depending on which dropper you're using. Installation takes about 5-10 minutes, or it did for me on a "type 2". The instructions are clear and every question you can think of has been covered on the website or in the instructions.

Basically, you remove the two upper seat post clamp bolts, remove the saddle/saddle clamps and re-mount the SwitchGrade in it's place. Then remove the saddle clamps (unscrewing on one side pushes both sides out), slide the saddle backwards over the SwitchGrade and re-mount the saddle clamps.

Then setup the saddle how you want it. One other nice additional feature is that with the SwitchGrade the clamps holding the saddle, which enable you to move it forwards and backwards, are now separate to the two bolts which set your saddles default tilt position, so configuring your saddle position is no longer the balancing act it is normally.

After only 5 minutes with the SwitchGrade it had me re-evaluating my whole saddle position, which was now notably easier to adjust.

Two things to keep in mind, the SwitchGrade is only compatible with 7mm rails, not 9mm and it will raise your stack height by 5-15mm depending on your dropper post. For me, it was 9mm.

Operating the SwitchGrade is straight forwards. A lever protrudes from the unit between the saddle rails towards the nose of the saddle. You just hold the nose of the saddle with your hand whilst using a finger to pull the lever then tilt the saddle to the desired position, release the lever and you're rewarded by a re-assuring click as it settles into it's new position.

The first few times whilst trying to do this on the move felt a bit unnatural but it soon became second nature, though you wouldn't want to do it if you were on technical terrain !!

SwitchGrade Assembly.jpg
SwitchGrade Bag and Fixings.jpg
SwitchGrade Shims.jpg
Each SwitchGrade is hand assembled.

The SwitchGrade comes with all the mounting hardware you'd need for installation. There are also optional Shims available if you want to raise it in the droppers cradle to enable more tilt in the default position.

Weight/Price?

Mine weighed in at 167g + 25g for the fixings (short screws - saved 2g ! :) ). The existing saddle clamps were 53g + 33g for fixings. In my case, a gain of 106g. For what it gives I'm more than happy with that !

Priced at $284 Canadian, which is about US $208, €211 or £184 (excluding any taxes you may be charged). If that's expensive or not will depend on the individual.

In conclusion:

The SwitchGrade is meticulously thought out, designed and constructed. Even the website, instructions, diagrams are all top notch. I spent the first evening just playing with it and didn't really want to put it on the bike. For me, it's worth every penny. On an EMTB it just complements the dropper and makes the bike/rider massively more effective when climbing.

SwitchGrade Colours 1.jpeg
SwitchGrade Colours 2.jpg
Available in a variety of colours with the additional option of alternative saddle clamps.
About author
Zimmerframe
Self confessed Muppet and EMTB lover, based in France. Crash tests a lot.

Comments

I echo everything here. I absolutely love mine. Only drawback is it adds considerable stack if you have truly low-profile seatpost clamp (like OneUp) and it's not that easy to disassemble. I contacted the maker and he advised against doing so to avoid harming the spring. But I've been riding just slightly in mud and my creaks a tiny bit.
Forward Tilt + Infinergy SQLab = Fireroads climbing is like sitting on a couch. Backward Tilt and even my 15cm only Dropper feels like all the space you would ever want on downhill bike.
Absolutely amazing product.
 
“At this time SwitchGrades are not compatible with:
•RockShox AXS”

So there’s a chance?

This looks like a great little device for fast uphill/downhill options. I can see this being integrated into higher end droppers in the future but right now I can’t install it because my AXS Reverb (170mm) is at the lowest position possible. It could be possible but some rise adjustment would be necessary.

My saddle is the Ergon Core M/L and has a slight whale-tail. This device might help with those downhill positions.
 
What are your thoughts on the angle increments? -10 and +12 seem like huge numbers.
 
I dont see one for X-Fusion Manic in Levos.
It might be worth messaging them. I think the lists depend what posts they've tested fitment with. My KS Rage wasn't listed so I messaged and they thought that would be the same as the KS Lev so we tried the type 2 and they sent an extra shim just in case.
 
What are your thoughts on the angle increments? -10 and +12 seem like huge numbers.
They felt spot on. At the start, switching from -10 back to level felt huge ! But switching from level to -10 to climb felt natural. Level to +12 and +12 back to level both just felt completely normal, but then I've been doing that for years with the WU. Everything about the unit looks and feels really well thought out, so I'd presume they spent quite a lot of time experimenting with angles to achieve the optimum positions.
 
Of course, its another route for them to sell us something we didn't think we needed.
I’m a sucka for shiny things!

I’ve never felt that bum-buzz that everyone talks about. (It probably doesn’t exist …fake). 😉 For some reason I can’t get past the seat on steep drops/trails and with this new seat (Ergon Core) it’s even more difficult.
Technique, practice or something might be helpful but this little device looks interesting. I just don’t think it will fit on my setup. Now if a model came out that wirelessly tilts, has an ejection button with parachute included, then I’m in 👍.
 
If you had to give up 10-20mm of dropper travel in order to run a Switchgrade, is it worth sacrificing so much travel?
 
If you had to give up 10-20mm of dropper travel in order to run a Switchgrade, is it worth sacrificing so much travel?
No way! Nope!
I definitely couldn’t get off the seat with a 150mm dropper. Now I stand a chance with a 170mm. I just need to grit-my-teeth and practice.
Pass the bandages please …😳
 
If you had to give up 10-20mm of dropper travel in order to run a Switchgrade, is it worth sacrificing so much travel?
Hu? You dont give up 10mm-20mm of travel. You have to insert the seat post down 10-20mm more because it raises up the seat.
 
Hu? You dont give up 10mm-20mm of travel. You have to insert the seat post down 10-20mm more because it raises up the seat.
Unless you have the seatpost maxed out for the amount of available frame insertion depth.
 
Exactly.

You aren't giving up "dropper travel" like you first said.
Sorry, I don't follow your reasoning. If your travel is maxed for the frame and you want to add a Switchgrade without changing the height of your seat rails, you'll need to reduce the travel to compensate for the Switchgrade's extra "stack height" . How is that not giving up dropper travel?
 
Sorry, I don't follow your reasoning. If your travel is maxed for the frame and you want to add a Switchgrade without changing the height of your seat rails, you'll need to reduce the travel to compensate for the Switchgrade's extra "stack height" . How is that not giving up dropper travel?
The dropper still moves the same distance.
 
The dropper still moves the same distance.
I don't know if you're trolling or we're just not communicating effectively. Either way, at this point I'm just going to move on.

I'm hoping to hear from @Zimmerframe or anyone else who's actually tried a Switchgrade, whether in their opinion its saddle tilt party trick is a worthwhile tradeoff against losing the added stack height in dropper travel.
 
I don't know if you're trolling or we're just not communicating effectively. Either way, at this point I'm just going to move on.

I'm hoping to hear from @Zimmerframe or anyone else who's actually tried a Switchgrade, whether in their opinion its saddle tilt party trick is a worthwhile tradeoff against losing the added stack height in dropper travel.
I ordered a Switchgrade and its suppose to be here in a few weeks. Im not trolling. The dropper will still move the exact same distance up and down. A 150mm dropper post will still drop 150mm and raise back up 150mm with a Switchgrade. The Switchgrade doesn't not affect how much it drops and raises. Yes, you will have to INSERT the post lower down into the frame as the Switchgrade does add a 10-20mm seat height. If you already have your seat post all the way down INSERTED into the frame then the seat will be too high for you and you will need a less drop seat post. I hope this explanation helps.

We are both right your wording or explanation is incorrect. You only have to "give up dropper travel" if your seapost is INSERTED into the frame all the way down.

Please reread your posts and my posts. Ive been in the biking industry 25 years and Im not trolling. Im trying to help people understand. You explanation was misleading and needed more explanation.

You only used "stack height" in you very last post. All your other posts you said "dropper travel". Big difference.

I hope this helps.
 
I think we can agree. You're both right :)

whether in their opinion its saddle tilt party trick is a worthwhile tradeoff against losing the added stack height in dropper travel

I was fortunate that I have plenty of post to slide in still. In my case the stack height increased by 9mm. I believe this vary's depending on the type of dropper. If you were already maxed out on insertion and had to lose travel, then for the amount you'd lose I'd say yes. To explain : If you're already in this dilemma, then you've obviously decided that the forward tilt is something you think would benefit your type of riding. Additionally, the rearward tilt drops the back of the saddle approximately 25mm - so when you're actually riding - the back of the saddle, the widest part, is lower than it would have been without the switchgrade. Effectively you'd have the same or more saddle movement than you had before anyway.
 
I was fortunate that I have plenty of post to slide in still. In my case the stack height increased by 9mm. I believe this vary's depending on the type of dropper. If you were already maxed out on insertion and had to lose travel, then for the amount you'd lose I'd say yes. To explain : If you're already in this dilemma, then you've obviously decided that the forward tilt is something you think would benefit your type of riding. Additionally, the rearward tilt drops the back of the saddle approximately 25mm - so when you're actually riding - the back of the saddle, the widest part, is lower than it would have been without the switchgrade. Effectively you'd have the same or more saddle movement than you had before anyway.
Thanks Zimmerframe, that's the kind of evaluation I was looking for. (y)
 
I have a switch grade, I got it as was wanting a longer dropper but 150-170 as my frame would not give me much more anyway, so thought, sod it I’ll get one of these - it’s going to be compatible with the new longer dropper if I get one anyway. I’m blown away. Firstly I got the extra room I need but in addition I can now go “half mast” on a downhill with the seat tilted back and actually use the seat to rest and pedal, which is great for an old fatty like me! But the most important thing is that the forward tilt is an absolute game changer. Gets you into the middle of the bike and feels so much better re traction and stability on the steeper stuff. So I bought it for the increased DH freedom of movement but would recommend it on the basis of a massive improvement in climbing. It’s an amazing invention!
 
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