Gravity's Less Expensive Dropper Post, Renthal's Sticky Grips - Interbike 2015

Sep 16, 2015 at 18:59
by Mike Levy  
Interbike 2015


Gravity's Cost Conscious Dropper

Reliability and high costs are the two main issues that detractors of dropper posts like to point out, and while I'd tend to agree with them when it comes to those topics, I also believe that dropper posts are too much of a necessity, at least for me, to not use for day to day riding. Gravity, FSA's arm of components intended for more argo riding styles, says that their new dropper seat post addresses both reliability and cost concerns by retailing for $299 USD and being über-reliable. They also stressed that the new seat post isn't the lightest or fanciest out there, but it's those very factors that allow them to nail its cost and dependability.

Internally, Gravity have gone with a completely sealed and non-serviceable cartridge that provides both the hydraulic control that allows the seat to be positioned anywhere in the post's stroke, as well as a nitrogen charge that acts as a spring to bring the seat back when you need to pedal. That means that riders won't be able to adjust the pressure in order to speed up or slow down the post's return speed, nor will they be able to perform a full rebuild from the inside out, but it does allow Gravity to build a cost-effective dropper post that can be repaired quickly and for very little money - replacement cartridges will retail for just $25 USD. No bleeding here, and Gravity says that the system has proven to be extremely reliable so far. Other bits - replacement brass keys, seals and small parts - will also be readily available.
Interbike 2015
The post's actuation assembly is simple and can be detached easily when you need to get inside of it.


Interbike 2015
The sturdy two-bolt head has been lifted from Gravity's existing post, and there's plenty of material at the bond between the head and stanchion.
Interbike 2015
Internal routing only for the new Gravity seat post.


Gravity says that they're going to go with a thumb paddle remote (it wasn't quite ready for the show) that will provide plenty of leverage to overcome contaminated cables or funky routing, and when pushed will depress a plunger at the bottom of the post that opens the hydraulic bleed port, thereby allowing the post to go up or down. Nothing groundbreaking here, but that's not the company's goal. To replace the cartridge or access the post's internals, you simply detach the actuation assembly at the bottom of the post and then use a spanner tool to unscrew the cap - everything slides right out.

The $299 USD dropper post will be available in March, and in 100mm and 125mm travel options that can be had in 30.9mm and 31.6mm sizes.




Interbike 2015


Renthal Makes it Sticky

There's a few different variations when it comes to locking grips onto your handlebar, but grip design seems like a pretty settled deal these days. But what if a company said they had a grip design that actively helps to keep your paws where they're supposed to be? You might think that would make for less hand and arm fatigue, or even shrink the chance of a hand slipping off the grip, but Renthal isn't making any of those claims about their new Ultra Tacky lock-on grip. Instead, Renthal's Ian Collins is simply saying that their new sticky grip material means that you don't have to hold on as tight as you might be doing now. He also let slip that a Troy Brosnan has actually been rocking the Ultra Tacky grips since the later part of the 2014 World Cup season, although the only way anyone would have found out is if they had grabbed hold of one of them - they're noticeably tacky to the touch, enough so that you might suspect something weird is going on.


The very large majority of grips out there are manufactured with thermoplastic elastomer, but Collins has gone with something else entirely. He wouldn't explain exactly what the material is, but he did say that the idea behind the it is based on the same principles as the sticky hand toys that you might have played with as a kid. These toys are sticky enough to hold onto a wall or window if you chuck them, but they'd eventually lose their holding abilities as they got dusty from being played with, something that you'd fix by simply putting them under water for a second and then letting them air dry, after which they'd be like new again. The Ultra Tacky grips are the same: they're noticeably tacky in your hand but will lose some of their grabbiness over time. Get them a bit wet, though, like when you wash your bike, and Collins' says that the tackiness returns.
Interbike 2015
Looks like a normal grip but doesn't feel like one.

The Ultra Tacky grips have the same durometer material as Renthal's softest grip, and they also retail for $32.95 USD, the same as the company's Kevlar grips. Availability should happen around mid-October.


MENTIONS: @renthalcycling / @ridegravity



Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

108 Comments
  • 160 4
 $300 still isn't inexpensive. it's a little better but no where near inexpensive.
  • 38 15
 what he said. the mtb industry needs to change it's ways. it's ridiculous when this stuff in total costs more than a new motocross bike
  • 48 12
 I think I'll just get off my bike every once in a while, look at the view, appreciate the wildlife, drop my post using my good old and reliable QR (never fails!) and save me that $300 for, like, groceries.

But each their own!
  • 11 7
 My issue is that it's only a 4" or 5" drop. That doesn't seem to align with the Gravity brand. Ought to be 6" drop to stand out. And too bad they didn't have the remote ready for the show. I'll be saving up for a Magura.
  • 19 5
 I want an actually inexpensive ($150 or less) dropper with a QR. I like my bars as clean as possible, and don't ride down the trail adjusting my saddle height every 100 yards...
  • 2 1
 *dropper
  • 7 1
 they didn't say it's cheap though. They said less expensive.
  • 7 3
 I am confused. It says "less expensive" not "inexpensive". Not the same words, not the same meaning. "The mtb industry needs to change it's ways" uggghhhh just stop.
  • 5 0
 I too thought this until I tried one. Will never own a bike without one. I love the uninterrupted flow of a trail that a dropper post allows.
  • 2 0
 I've been running that eTen lever on my Chili with no issues knock on wood. I'm sure bar mounted would be nice though, its a bit sketchy when you're trying to drop it on anything but smooth trail. Only 100mm drop but that's all you'll ever need.
  • 1 0
 CHARLIE!!
  • 2 0
 @Bluefire
3

clearly I need to do more homework
  • 5 0
 Not to be a salmon or anything but I honestly believe my dropper post made more difference to my riding than any other component on my bike. To be fair mine came with my new bike at the start of the year but I lived it instantly and it made such a difference I bought one for my other bike too. Seriously don't underestimate their value, once you've ridden with one you'll see the value in their price tag.
  • 2 0
 I got an RSP Plummet (rebranded satori sorata) for £80, it's available for about £60 atm and is very simple to strip down and service, because it is a very simple sprung design. But it works great and weighs around 600g which isn't way out from more expensive droppers. However it is hella ugly.

Still definitely fulfils the need for an inexpensive and reliable dropper.
  • 1 0
 Quick search of eBay for Reverbs shows plenty to go around at less than $300, including some Stealth models. So there's that route, too. No one should pay full price.
  • 49 3
 Five Ten should make grips. Now that shit would be sticky!!!
  • 10 1
 exactly. ODI make those vans grips... now, fiveten rubber grips would be something different. next thing we need are gloves with pins.
  • 1 0
 I accidently got grapefruit juice on my oury grips once and they got uber tacky even after I washed them off. Like the citric acid softened the rubber.
  • 40 5
 $300?? Inexpensive? How much is the cost for the cheapest KS dropper? $180??
  • 11 0
 Especially when it looks like it IS a KS post with some different decals on it.
  • 8 0
 I got my KS for 130.... A few hundred miles later... it works great!
  • 11 1
 most shops are selling KS eTens for $130-$150, replacement cartridges are only $35... Not sure how this Gravity fits into the "inexpensive" box.
  • 1 0
 Or just got a DNM HQS dropper. been using mine for over 2 years now iwthout a single problem. only costs $100-$130.00
  • 32 2
 Dear Renthal,
I work in a bike shop. I really like your stuff! I'd love to stock my shelves with your product; however, when I do nobody will buy it. Why? Because it's a weird color that matches nothing on their fancy new bike. Your own stuff doesn't even match your own stuff. Look, all I'm saying is that if you want to sell more product, just make it all black! Or at least make a black version...
  • 4 0
 The struggle is real.
  • 8 1
 Then nobody will ever notice I've become faster, cos nobody sees the Renthal
  • 2 0
 I feel the same way about the Thomson dropper. It's a piece of art, but why can't it just come in black...? In some ways I was hoping it would match Renthal's stuff haha
  • 13 1
 Personally I use the Giant dropper post and have never had a problem with it. The Giant dropper post cost 300 dollars. Not cheap but you don't need any replacement cartridges. I don't see how this is inexpensive. I would like to see a full page on all the droppers at interbike....
  • 3 1
 Me too, and now they come in 5" travel versions. Some PBers have laughed when I said they were reliable, but I've had three with thousands and thousands of kilometres and shifts on them without a problem.
  • 4 0
 Mine died within six months. The mechanism kept fouling with grime on muddy rides. Required constant maintenance. Got a Reverb when the giant dealer refused to warranty it. No problems with that so far, more adjustment range, and much smoother operation. I hear the second gen Giant was better than the first, but frankly, the brand and its local dealer lost my business, so I won't find out for myself.
  • 3 0
 been using reverbs. had a 125mm and now a 150. love the hydraulic lever. super smooth to actuate and easy to set up. they will start to get some play in them after a season of riding. rebuild isnt rocket science tho.
  • 1 0
 @g-42 That's why I'll NEVER buy anything from Giant. All I ever hear about them is that they're useless when it comes to having anything replaced under warranty.

I'd rather buy from a company with poor reliability but a good warranty process than vice versa.
  • 1 0
 I work at a shop that carries Giant. When it comes to warranty they are slow that is true but I have never had a costumer who has had an issue with the process. Their first generation dropper post from Giant wasn't very good at all and had lots of problems but their second generation was vastly improved and has been given good reviews. I would recommend at least looking at it if you are getting a new dropper.
  • 2 0
 I have had a new Giant frame in four days. And coming from some experience in bike retail, sometimes it is not the manufacturer, but the distributor. Even the Romans got to the border of Scotland and said "We go no further."
  • 1 0
 This is true. My Giant rep had worked wonders for me before. Truly case dependent though.
  • 17 4
 the fact that I have a standard QR on my seat post suddenly makes me feel $300 richer
  • 4 1
 preach it, preach. Me too!!! I'm rich!
  • 8 1
 mine is $200 richer, bought a x fusion for 100 bucks and it works smoothly Smile
  • 29 3
 I switched to water instead of contact solution. Can't see shit, but I saved $7
  • 4 2
 Wiken I have the xfusion hilo 150$ many many miles and not one problem!
  • 2 1
 AllMountin Brilliant haha
  • 11 1
 Lol. My race face grips are turning into sticky grips 2 years later.... should I sell them now?
  • 4 0
 my ODI grips got covered in chain grease after setting up my gears, i gave them a good clean off with brake cleaner then i noticed they felt stickier so i soaked them in more cleaner leaving it to evaporate dry, the cleaner reacts to the rubber making it them stickiest grips I've ever seen, much more stickier than the renthal Kevlar ones, and they stay like that as well
  • 2 0
 This is interesting, did you just soak them in brake cleaner, for how long?
  • 2 0
 i just kept them wet with brake cleaner for about 5 minuits, if i remember correctly the next morning they were very tacky feeling, i would like to point out they were green grips, i don't know if that made any difference though,
  • 3 0
 They probably are giving you cancer though
  • 1 0
 Meh I'll wear gloves
  • 4 0
 they'll give your gloves cancer, which will then give you hand cancer
  • 4 0
 Smart move with the replaceable cartridges if they are reliable as they sound! It should be easily within the reach for many budget builds when the online shops stock it up. It's stupid-scary how everything is constantly going up in price.
  • 9 0
 yes, welcome to Canada and our current crappy dollar, we're getting screwed I tell ya!
  • 1 0
 Cheaper than a reverb rebuild! Good idea
  • 4 1
 If Renthal could get their shit together in terms of mounting hardware, that would be great. Never in my entire life have I had a set of grips where the bolts seized, and I stripped the heads. I ultimately needed a drill to get them off of my bars.
  • 1 2
 my mate destroyed the clamp of their direct mount stem. and ugly as hell she is too haha
  • 4 1
 Martis. Put a little grease on the bolts and only do them up until the grip is fixed in position, not until the bar has nearly collapsed in on itself. donpinpon29. Don't let your mate touch allen keys.
  • 2 0
 Exactly same thing has happened to mine . need a drill also to remove . ssurprised at this being renthal who usually do very high quality stuff
  • 6 0
 Dropper post/microphone? "He's going to wake up feeling like his neck took a Viagra." - Rob Warner
  • 5 0
 Them grip would probably feel just like every time a sweaty handed rider(I'm dry handed) asks to try my bike and returns it to me, grips all wet n sticky... No thank you!
  • 3 1
 Gravity, you think we're idiots? And Mike Levy, are you a part of busineess, who try to make us believe that 300$ is inexpensive? It seems that bike business is trying to take over a major part of our personal expenses showing us a nice smile and saying "it's inexpensive". Prices are crazy, I can't afford any of the full sus bikes reviewed by pinkbike recently. Bike business wants us starve but equipped with enduro specific sh...t. And pinkbike should be on our side. I don't think it is, when I read about his "Gravity's Cost Conscious Dropper" - WTF is that? "It's up to us to change that course, protest and survive!"
  • 2 0
 Bike = pick what fits you best and performs well
Brakes = Shimano, Magura or Hope
Seat post dropper = Gravity Dropper (the real one that's been around for ten years, not the one in this article) = Done. 5 years maintenance free.

Way to go on that creative name for your post FSA! **smh**
  • 2 0
 Sorry but It might be the Yorkshire man in me but $299 = for a bloody seat post isn't cheap. £60 and I might look at it £50 I'd really consider it and £40 I'd have one it the dealer threw on a new saddle as well
  • 4 0
 Argo riding styles?
Underground, to escape the radiation of Gamilon?
  • 3 0
 "Intended for more argo riding styles"....so like they're going to install them on boats?
  • 2 0
 "Gravity says that the system has proven to be extremely reliable so far" ...and if it weren't, what do you think they'd say? Same thing...
  • 2 0
 How the hell is $300 "cost conscious"? I got a Fox Doss a year ago for less than that and at the time it cost about the same as all but the really high end ones.
  • 1 0
 Looks like a X-Fusion post... They don't work! The actuation asembly's durability is awful. It pulls in a direction that only fights itself. Destined to bend or break.
  • 1 0
 You talkin about xfusion or gravity? Because we got a couple xfusion post and they have been great! And they cost less then the gravity!
  • 1 0
 Look on the bottom of your X-Fusion. They are the same design as these Gravity posts. If your actuation assembly isn't bent or cracked yet, I'm sure it won't be long. The direction the cable pulls on the lever is not the best to press on the cartridge. Any increase in friction from dirty, dry or worn pieces and it just levers against itself to the point where the actuator fails.
  • 1 0
 Your talking internal cable ones. . . . Different!
  • 3 0
 "Argo" spell-check yourself.
  • 5 0
 Before you spell-wreck yourself?
  • 2 0
 299 retail? How is that a budget option? Reverbs are 269 all over the Internet.
  • 1 0
 Reverb MSRP is over $400 though, don't expect this to be $299 for long.
  • 1 0
 KS Eten dropper post. 175. That's a budget dropper.
  • 1 0
 i clicked on it from the inexpensive header title...ridiculous, $300...i have a tmars coming for less than $90 to give this technology a try
  • 3 0
 More grip for my stick
  • 2 0
 That grip looks awfully familiar to me. ruffian perhaps?
  • 3 0
 Classic design, new rubber compound...
  • 4 1
 hite rite was inexpesive
  • 2 1
 but it is "less expensive" !!!!! even if it is for a few dollars......
i am sick of marketing tricks...
  • 1 0
 Man I go through grips like crazy, I'll have to see if the renthals live up to their expectations
  • 1 0
 Are they really just trying to create consumer confusion with Gravity Dropper here?
  • 1 0
 Completely agree. Call it like it is. Pinkbike's article makes it sound like a genuine GravityDropper dot com post. It is not. It is FSA's dropper post...and a darn expensive one at that! The REAL GD FTW...ask anyone who maintains their own bike.
  • 1 1
 What's this article about? I was too busy staring at the US flag fatbars...
  • 1 0
 That $300 could buy a lot of pizza and beer though...
  • 3 2
 Is that @TEAM-ROBOT on the picture?
  • 1 0
 Who cares about the grips? Where do I get those camo or USA flag bars?!
  • 1 0
 You win them on dirt website last week. Otherwise your outta luck.
  • 1 0
 If the grips are not TPE, i'm going with thermoset polyurethane gel.
  • 2 1
 Well played, Gravity!
  • 2 2
 So basically ODI made a schticky for your handlebars? Sounds legit
  • 2 1
 I mean renthal
  • 1 3
 Easy to rebuild (and cheap) dropper at a lower price point. I like where they are heading!
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