Intend developed the Elevator in collaboration with a Taiwanese partner. Each seatpost is assembled in Freiburg. The German manufacturer incorporated its own design specifications into an existing concept and developed individual components in-house. The result: Intend’s first dropper post featuring progressive kinematics, a unique bearing system and its own handlebar remote called the Elevator Boy.
Conclusion
In the heat of the moment, riders sometimes bottom out their dropper posts. Bottom-out on the dropper post isn’t serious, but it’s unpleasant. I’ve already had a chance to try out the Intend Elevator, and the progression concept does indeed seem to work. The thorough sealing and the use of oil rather than grease for lubrication should also be beneficial for long-term durability. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
The Intend Elevator in detail
- Vario travel: 150 / 160 / 170 / 180 / 190 mm
- Clamp diameter: 31.6 mm
- Weight of support: 564 g
- Weight of remote: 27 g
- Price of the stand: 379 euros
- Price of the remote: 79 euros
- Special features: adjustable SafeSpace progression, oil lubrication, double plain bearings, assembled in Freiburg
SafeSpace technology with air progression
SafeSpace technology forms the core of the new Intend Elevator Dropper post and provides the post with a form of puncture protection. A sealed air chamber in the lower section of the post is designed to generate progressive bottom-out damping. When fully extended, the chamber is at ambient pressure. As the seatpost compresses, the air is compressed and builds up counter-pressure. The progression starts from atmospheric pressure and is designed to be moderately noticeable. The progression can be adjusted to the rider’s weight by changing the air pressure. Intend fills the air chamber to the appropriate level for the customer’s weight before dispatch. Riders should feel the bottom-out but not bottom out harshly. The seatpost is self-bleeding and, according to Intend, requires no maintenance other than normal use.
Double plain bearings and lubrication
The lower section of the Intend Elevator telescopic seatpost is completely enclosed and sealed. Other seatposts have openings to the frame through which grease and dirt can enter. The Elevator is designed to prevent this from happening. However, this is intended to offer advantages not only in terms of ease of maintenance, but also in terms of functionality. Conventional seatposts force air into the frame as they compress. When the seatpost extends, this air must return to the seatpost. If the openings are too small, the seatpost may extend to 90 per cent of its travel and then stop. SafeSpace technology aims to solve this problem through its sealed design.
Intend’s first dropper post is lubricated with oil rather than grease, as is usually the case with suspension forks, for example. The Elevator utilises a double plain bearing assembly inside. Hand-polished surfaces and oil lubrication are designed to ensure smooth extension and retraction movements. Under full load, the seatpost is said to lower immediately, even under eccentric loading. The double piston rod bearing, combined with bronze-PTFE slide bushings, is designed to reduce lateral play. Physical limitations cannot be completely overcome – Intend is honest about this. Plastic slide bushings are not used.
Elevator Boy Remote with cable pull
The Elevator Boy functions as a classic cable-operated remote. According to Intend developer Cornelius Kapfinger, the initial installation requires a bit of work, but once fitted, the lever should operate maintenance-free. The remote is compatible with all cable-actuated dropper posts on the market, not just the Intend Elevator. A double ball-lock mechanism ensures play-free operation with a smooth action. The cable clamp allows the cable to be attached and detached without tools. No component at the cable end exceeds 5 millimetres in diameter. All parts are therefore designed to fit through standard frame holes without the need to remove the clamp. The hard-anodised finish in the ‘Original’ look matches other Intend products.
Available variants and weight
The Intend Elevator is currently available exclusively with a diameter of 31.6 millimetres. Travel options include 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 millimetres. Intend states the weight as 564 grams without the remote. The accompanying Elevator Boy Remote is said to weigh 27 grams and uses the SRAM Matchmaker mounting standard. The Intend Elevator costs 379 euros, whilst the Elevator Boy Remote is priced at 79 euros. Both products are available now.
What do you think: have you already had any problems with your Dropper posts getting through? Let us know in the comments!
Jan Timmermann
Editor