Skylark Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 I have been eyeing out Giant's dropper post for sometime, they are well priced at around R2300-R2500 and they seem reasonably reliable but the servicing of them was always a grey area for me. Thought I may as well post up the info I found and save people the bother hunting the internet, also maybe people can add their experiences/info about the post. This is what it looks like: http://www.highlandbikes.com/smsimg/199/4391-15913-full-4469-150000023-199.jpg From my research apart from a basic service to clean the post they are not serviceable. They use a sealed cartridge (that looks a lot like the gas rider cartridges used to hold up boot lids on cars and canopies etc) This is a replacement cartridge for the current gen Giant dropper: http://www.amain.com/images/large/bikes/giant/150000024.jpg Not easy to find them online, found them for $60 here:http://www.amain.com/bikes/giant-contact-switch-seatpost-cartridge-2nd-generation-2014-350mm-150000024/p364202?v=333091 From speaking to an LBS the local price of a new cartridge is around R700-R800 and they are pretty easy to fit, anyone know if that local price is about right and if the cartridge is easy to fit? Considering from most reports they seem to last pretty well and R800 is around the price you'd pay for a full service/rebuild on a RS Reverb or KS dropper, the Giant post is quite well priced, max drop is 100mm though which I think is pretty much sufficient but some want more. An advantage to the Giant is the cable to the bar switch can be routed internally or externally, on the RS Reverb the version of their dropper that allows an internally routed cable is an extra R1500 or so(from what I can see it is the same in all other respects as the non internally routed version so you paying the extra cash just for the internal routing). The Giant switch cable is like a derailleur cable and apparently the bar switch isn't an engineering masterpiece, the RS and higher end KS posts are hydraulic so the cable can never seize, though they would need to get bled which is a bit more work than just running a cable inner. Perhaps hydraulic is marginally better for internally routed posts though? Another aspect to consider is for some bizarre reason the seat clamp on some versions of the Giant post is rubbish, you have to tighten it way past the specified torque and still the seat sometimes dips forward/back. Not sure if this has been resolved on the lastest version of the post. Good thread on Mtbr here about the post:http://forums.mtbr.com/giant/giant-contact-switch-seatpost-666774.html Anyone have anything else to add, experiences with them, fixing them etc?
T-Bob Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 I love mine, was way cheaper than the advertised price here @ my LBS. I'll second the weird seat clamp thing. I got mine May 2014 so the current model but it move at wide times. Recently took it apart and put it back together and hasn't dipped at all for about 6 months. No issues with post sticking at all (Mk1 had a few problems), doesn't sink, remote works a charm. Low hassle as well. Just wash it as part of my post ride clean up and it' keeps on keeping on. Would have liked to run it stealth but my trance wasn't having it without a drill!
Brett Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 yeah think about R2300. cartridge price seems about right.just keep the dropper clean of dirt and it will last long.Much easier to service at home. Replacing cables is a cinch.love how they can be converted to external or internal routing. All experience based on the new black ones. The silver droppers were crap.
Skylark Posted June 25, 2015 Author Posted June 25, 2015 When you mean service you mean take the post apart and give it a good clean and perhaps a drop of lube on the cartridge shaft, what else needs to be done?
Mambat Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 I have just replaced my cartridge due to loss of pressure, it was R450 here in theCape through my LBS so not sure why your LBS quoted you those prices? I have mine stealth mounted on my 29er Trance X, fitted it myself...easy peazy! Great simple value for money dropper!
Skylark Posted June 25, 2015 Author Posted June 25, 2015 R450 is a bargain! Does that include fitting it in the post?
Mambat Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 On 6/25/2015 at 4:55 PM, Skylark said: R450 is a bargain! Does that include fitting it in the post?Yes..... Sent in buggered back all shiny and tight !
porqui Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 Have had my Giant dropper for more than two years - loving it and no issues.
Edge540 Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 Had the same problem with the seat rocking. Eventually sorted it out by swopping the two side plastic bush thingies with the ones from my original Giant non-dropper post. Hasn't moved since.
Brawler Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 I am super happy with mine (2015 Stealth one). Had one on my old bike(non stealth) as well and neither of them have given any trouble. Perfect every time. I know quite a few people with the RS Reverb and they seem like high maintenance and have seen people let down on rides more than once. My only wish is for a bit more than 100mm but then again I am on the tall side. I never have to raise or lower it at the clamp but I'd say if you're approaching 1.9m look for something with more travel.
igg Posted June 26, 2015 Posted June 26, 2015 What's up with the white lines on the side of the post? I always thought they were scratches when I saw some in classifieds, but it looks like part of the design in that photo! On my standard Giant Contact post I've found my seat, mid-ride, nose up trying to burrow its way into my asscrack. Giant's torque settings must be way off as this seems to be a common complaint; I had to really ratchet it down hard to stop it from tilting. I'm still busy trying to decide if I want a Giant or a RS Reverb. At 1.93m, 125mm drop seems to make more sense, but, the Giant's price is so attractive. Also, the offset on the RS appears to be 0mm while Giant's is 12/23mm; I think I need offset.
Scott2luvit Posted June 26, 2015 Posted June 26, 2015 great post, this is what making a informed decision means, wish I can see more of these posts on the hub and less "brand" hunters just pushing something because its a certain make or brand
Enduro_Jakes Posted June 26, 2015 Posted June 26, 2015 I have one on my bike, got it about a month ago. BEST BUY EVER! Brings a whole new level of riding! Only issue I have is the set keeps dipping nose down or nose up if I catch even the tiniest bump in the trail, no matter how much I tighten the damn thing....sadly my torque wrench only goes up to the maximum torque recommended. Will try the below and hope it works out On 6/25/2015 at 7:01 PM, EDF said: Had the same problem with the seat rocking. Eventually sorted it out by swopping the two side plastic bush thingies with the ones from my original Giant non-dropper post. Hasn't moved since.
Steven Knoetze (sk27) Posted June 26, 2015 Posted June 26, 2015 On 6/25/2015 at 8:08 PM, Brawler said: I am super happy with mine (2015 Stealth one). Had one on my old bike(non stealth) as well and neither of them have given any trouble. Perfect every time. I know quite a few people with the RS Reverb and they seem like high maintenance and have seen people let down on rides more than once. My only wish is for a bit more than 100mm but then again I am on the tall side. I never have to raise or lower it at the clamp but I'd say if you're approaching 1.9m look for something with more travel. I see what you did there...... A friend has the Reverb, got to a race and the seat wouldn't drop. It was cold and early in the morning. Once the temp got higher the seat miraculously started working agian. I love my Giant dropper, not needing to bleed a dropper is great and I paid less than the OP stated. My seat also adjusts itself but only if I sit on the tip or over the back when the trail gets bumpy. Make s horrendous sound too when if does this.It has been faultless and looking at the replacement cartridge costs now I think it is a winner!!The ability to run in externally or internally sold me as I am running in externally on my Anthem 29er but can run it internally if I ever upgrade to a frame with that ability.
Hairy Posted June 26, 2015 Posted June 26, 2015 Bought one recently from my LBS for R1995.00 in CT. Been 100% happy with it, easy to fit and set up. All I have done is to form a cable tie loop through a modified / cut cable housing stop to guide the cable on the around the seat clamp area and allow me to control the direction of the cable loop when in the saddle is in the dropped position.....kind of a knock off on the guide the Reverb droppers use.
igg Posted June 26, 2015 Posted June 26, 2015 On 6/26/2015 at 7:54 AM, Hairy said: Bought one recently from my LBS for R1995.00 in CT. Been 100% happy with it, easy to fit and set up. All I have done is to form a cable tie loop through a modified / cut cable housing stop to guide the cable on the around the seat clamp area and allow me to control the direction of the cable loop when in the saddle is in the dropped position.....kind of a knock off on the guide the Reverb droppers use. Can you post a pic of this? I haven't seen them anything less than R2.9k in JHB! Clearly I need to shop around some more. Been waiting for one to pop in classifieds for less than R2k (I missed yesterday's one ), but if I can get a new one at that price...
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