(Re)New Brand - U.S.E. Ultimate
by Bikeman • April 06, 2022
New to the Bikeman catalog is U.S.E. Ultimate. Well, they really aren't 'new' but rather 're-newed'. U.S.E Ultimate is a UK based company that has been around for a while, probably best known way back in the late 90's and early 2000's for suspension seatposts to take the edge off the 26" hardtails we were all riding at the time. The development of full suspension pushed the suspension seatpost a little out of style for a while and as a result U.S.E Ultimate sort of fell off our radar. They are back in the US again and probably in no small part due to the growth of gravel riding. A suspension seatpost is a great fit for a gravel bike. It's a quick, simple and relatively lightweight way to take the edge off when the going gets rough. They make a gravel specific model the Vybe GR. Fully serviceable and rebuildable, we offer it in two versions, medium (120-174 lbs) or hard (174-225 lbs). They are 27.2mm diameter only but can be adapted to any larger diameter by using a seatpost shim. If you're not big on using shims we also offer the standard Vybe with 50mm of travel that's available in 27.2mm, 30.6mm and 30.6mm diameters.
Their gravel offerings don't stop there though, they also have a gravel specific carbon drop handlebar the Escape GR. As is the trend with gravel handlebars they have flare at the drops and U.S.E. has two options, 12 degree and 24 degree in 40cm, 42cm and 44cm widths. The UD Carbon is specially designed to have the perfect balance of strength, stiffness and flexibility. U.S.E calls this AVT (Anti Vibration Technology) which is "Designed with specific carbon layups to dramatically reduce the vibrations that cause arm pump and hand numbness to improve control and comfort." All that and it is only 216g in the 44cm width, which will probably save you 75-100g over a decent comparable alloy bar.
If gravel isn't your thing or just one of you things, U.S.E. also has a lineup of MTB components. Carbon and alloy riser and flat bars, carbon, titianium and alloy rigid seatposts, stems and dropper seatposts. You can view all of our U.S.E. Ultimate components here.