Aenomaly Constructs SwitchGrade Review | Must Have? #mtb #loamwolf

#mountainbike #emtb #mtblife

We’ve been thoroughly enjoying dropper posts becoming commonplace on our mountain bikes over the last years, with drop lengths increasing to give us the ultimate in freedom of movement on the descents without compromising on climbing performance. Specialized went a step further a few years back with their Command WU dropper, which featured saddle tilt adjustment that was controlled by the height to which the dropper was extended – nose up for the descents, and the desired seated position when fully extended – however, this never really caught on. Aiming to reopen the saddle angle conversation and optimize the position of the saddle for every situation on a ride, is Aenomaly Constructs. Founder Noel had the idea some 20 years ago but bringing the concept to a reality proved to be tricky, and with a successful career at risk he wanted to wait until the right time and ensure he had the right product. The SwitchGrade is that product, and now is the time. Robert has been putting one to the test over the last half a year, and the merits are undeniable, but it may not be for everyone.

THE LAB
The SwitchGrade by BC-based Aenomaly Constructs is a unit that in basic terms allows you to adjust the angle of your saddle between three positions (Climb – Neutral – Descend) with the simple press of a mechanical lever under the saddle. The theory is covered in detail here, so we’ll stick to a brief overview and focus on the ride impressions of the patent pending tech in this article.

These three positions are provided by the SwitchGrade to tailor the saddle angle to specific scenarios on the trail. The Climb position tilts the saddle nose down by 10 degrees, with the effect of steepening the effective seat angle by around a degree. This allows you to naturally exert more weight on the front wheel when seated and tilts your hips into a more natural and favorable position to pedal on steeper uphills. The Neutral position is for flat pedaling efforts, or for a set-and-forget position on highly undulating terrain. The Descend mode tilts the saddle nose up 12 degrees, giving that sloped-back, downhill style descending position that lets the rider get their body behind the saddle easier, and just looks badass.

The Switchgrade replaces the saddle rail clamp on top of your seatpost, adding around 100g of finely machined 7075-T6 and 6061-T6 aluminum (and stainless-steel hardware) in the process. There are currently five options of fitment for the SwitchGrade, to fit the specific saddle clamps of the common dropper posts on the market, meaning it is not universal and so must be purchased with a particular dropper post style in mind. There is around 5-15mm of saddle stack height added, which needs to be factored into your purchase as your dropper will likely need to be lowered the corresponding amount in the frame. It’ll work with just about any saddle with standard 7mm tubular rails, except for those with exceptionally low stack heights.

Designed in the North Shore, machined in Whistler and assembled in Vancouver, BC, the SwitchGrade is available in all black or black and gold colorways, with colored anodized saddle clamps available separately, and retails from $245USD/ £170/ €198 depending on fitment and color.

See why Robert loves this mountain bike upgrade so much and if it's the right product for you. Check out our full review of the Aenomaly SwitchGrade here: https://theloamwolf.com/2023/03/31/review-aenomaly-constructs-switchgrade/

Order one for yourself by visiting https://www.aenomalyconstructs.com/

Get your Loam Wolf gear here:
https://store.theloamwolf.com
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