The task of a retractable seat post is actually not particularly complicated. If you can lower and raise the saddle like an office chair at the touch of a button and with the use of weights, you don't have to reach for a quick release or even a multi-tool. And the most important thing: you don't have to get off your bike. Despite the weight disadvantage compared to a conventional seatpost, the functional benefits are so great that even racers like Julien Absalon no longer want to do without the telescopic seatpost on any route.
Unfortunately, the use of the Vario support also brings some problems with it. This is because they are not only heavier, but also more expensive than conventional seatposts and, thanks to the frequently used air suspension cartridges inside, also require a lot of maintenance. The US manufacturer E-Thirteen wanted to tackle two of these three problems in 2016 with its interpretation of the vario post concept. With the fully mechanical TRS+. At € 299, it was relatively cheap - the competition from Rockshox, Fox, Bikeyoke or KS cost one and a half times to twice as much - and thanks to the mechanical construction with a spring inside, it was slightly heavier than the competition, but easier to maintain.
TRS+ 2018: Up to 170 mm stroke with 490 mm length
The Vario support has been given a major update for 2018. The inner workings have been partially redeveloped, making it possible to simplify a number of things, which should not only make the dropper post even more reliable because fewer parts are used, but also more maintenance-friendly and even a little lighter. At the same time, the designers have managed to integrate 170 mm of travel into the post while reducing its overall length.
The 170 mm version of the post now measures 490 mm in total, 15 mm less than the old version with 150 mm travel. This means that shorter riders can also enjoy more travel. Only the Rockshox Reverb is one centimetre shorter in the 170 mm version. As with the Revehttp://eu.bythehive.comrb, at least 125 mm of the TRS telescopic support must still be in the frame at full extension.
The price remains at 299 euros, the weight of the TRS+ drops slightly to 693 g with the ergonomic single lever and all cables. The only drawback: due to the mechanical construction, the height of the seatpost will probably not be freely adjustable. We do not yet have any data on the new TRS+, but the old 150 mm version has click stops at 0, 80, 110 and of course 150 mm drop. The new E-Thirteen TRS+ dropper post should be available from mid-March. Info: eu.bythehive.com
Adrian Kaether
Editor
