Review your dropper: A guide for buyers.

[splat]

Specialized Command Post IR comes in 3.9 & 31.6mm diameter and has a bit of setback too

 

http://www.specialized.com/za/en/ftb/mtb-components/seat-posts/command-post-ircc

[Skylark]

Definitely on option for sure. Where did you buy yours?

Fox agents aren't bringing them in anymore, had a big clearance sale a good while back to get rid of what stock they had but now no more apparently, were also stupid expensive at normal retail, R5k+

[bullet77]

Q1. Make/Model (year if known): 

A1. 

 

Q2. How long have you had it:

A2. 

 

Q3. Price (new):

A3. 

 

Q4. Drop (mm) and fixed or unlimited heights, mechanical or hydraulic:

A4. 

 

Q5. Yearly running cost (approx):

A5. 

 

Q6. Reliability 1 to 5 (5 excellent, 1 poor):

A6. 

 

Q7. Picture (if possible):

A7. 

A1. 2016 Giant 125mm 

A2. 4 days

A3. R2900

A4. 125mm unlimited "sealed air cartridge" if I understand correctly.

A5. Bottle of Brunox ??

A6. 5 - only 1 ride so far.

A7. Above

 

This is my 1st experience with a dropper and I've had 1 ride with it. I love it. I rode Hopewell yellow 50km which I've ridden many times before. The downhills are not extreme, but have steep and rough sections especially going down the yellow Kudu loop valley. Being able to lower the seat and my body makes a huge difference on the steep stuff. I did plenty reading/researching/watching vids before buying the dropper and all the stories about "transformed my ride" , "gave me confidence" etc etc are spot on. I don't know why it took me so long to get one.

 

The only negatives for me are not being able to have 2 bottle cages and the fact that it only fits externally on my Anthem. The cable can go internal in the top tube but that's about it.

[Headshot]

Yeah it is decent.

 

Don't think there will be any long term reviews at this stage as it has only been available for a few months.

 

Other than the scratching stanchion issue I have had on two separate post (which doesn't affect the working of the post at all), all is good.

 

I want one of these 150mm posts. Currently running a 100mm 2013 version - i.e. the old one. Its been hammered, crashed on and had several cable changes to keep it operating, but reliability has been good - say 95%.

 

A few issues. The stock operating lever is rubbish. Too little leverage and when the cable gets gummed up with dirt it stops working. I use a modified l/h shift lever now and its a different beast.

 

Dirt and moisture can get into the head where the actuator is and gum up the cable and prevent the gas strut from locking out properly. A periodic lean and lube and its back to normal.

 

All in very good value and easy to maintain. From what I read, its probably one of the most reliable dropper posts and now in 125 and 150 mm models covers all the bases. 

[Ferro]

053.jpg055.jpg

A1. 2016 Giant 125mm 

A2. 4 days

A3. R2900

A4. 125mm unlimited "sealed air cartridge" if I understand correctly.

A5. Bottle of Brunox ??

A6. 5 - only 1 ride so far.

A7. Above

 

This is my 1st experience with a dropper and I've had 1 ride with it. I love it. I rode Hopewell yellow 50km which I've ridden many times before. The downhills are not extreme, but have steep and rough sections especially going down the yellow Kudu loop valley. Being able to lower the seat and my body makes a huge difference on the steep stuff. I did plenty reading/researching/watching vids before buying the dropper and all the stories about "transformed my ride" , "gave me confidence" etc etc are spot on. I don't know why it took me so long to get one.

 

The only negatives for me are not being able to have 2 bottle cages and the fact that it only fits externally on my Anthem. The cable can go internal in the top tube but that's about it.

 

Looking at one of these myself. If I may ask, what made you decide on the 125 and not the 150? Are there multiple drop height settings?

[Raydek]

Looking at one of these myself. If I may ask, what made you decide on the 125 and not the 150? Are there multiple drop height settings?

The drop has infinite stops, wherever you release the lever. Drop length would depend on what you and your frame can accommodate. I.e. The minimum inserted height from top of seat tube to saddle clamps for the 150mm dropper is 204mm and the 125mm is about 179mm (I stand under correction), so if your current saddle clamps are at for interest sake at 195mm from top of seat tube, you would need the 125mm dropper as the 150mm would be too high for you.

 

Then there is also how much of the lower section of the dropper (part that goes into frame) can fit into your seat tube before being obstructed/stopped by a bend in the frame or pivot mount etc.

 

Hope that helps.

[bullet77]

Looking at one of these myself. If I may ask, what made you decide on the 125 and not the 150? Are there multiple drop height settings?

125 was all the LBS had in stock. I may have been able to use/fit the 150 but I'm very happy with the post and how it works so far. I've only been using it either all the way up or all the way down so I haven't found any reason for a mid position, but this is still new to me with 3 proper rides where I've been able to use the dropper and feel the real benefits.

[herrowpreeze]

Q1. Make/Model (year if known): 

A1. Forca Vario 27.2

Q2. How long have you had it:

A2. A week

 

Q3. Price (new): 

A3. R1995

 

Q4. Drop (mm) and fixed or unlimited heights, mechanical or hydraulic:

A4. 100mm

 

Q5. Yearly running cost (approx):

A5. Nil to date

 

Q6. Reliability 1 to 5 (5 excellent, 1 poor):

A6. Cant say yet

Q7. Picture (if possible):

A7. Sorry

 

Q8. Would you buy the same again?

A8. So far I'm pleased. But hard to say just yet.

 

Notes:

Getting the cable housing adjusted and setting the tension on the unit was tricky but not difficult. On this note it seems getting the tension just right is key. I rode it around my driveway a fair amount just getting the tension right on the barrel adjuster. Too much and it doesn't stay put too little and the throw of the lever is annoyingly long.

 

There is definite front rear play maybe 5mm or less but you feel it when installing the post and you notice it moving the bike around but honestly you wouldn't know while riding. I don't see front rear play being a problem so I've decided I don't care. Saw one guy review this dropper and say he found play and sent it straight back, the fact is the play is well documented and seems to have no effect on operation. I can see I'm going to need to get used to this bump to raise the seat thing but I'm already feeling like I can get it right so it should become second nature quick enough. When I first got it getting it all the way down seemed problematic because the rubber boot bunched up but once I got cable tension right and made it go up and down a few times the problem seemed to go away. Finally the mid point is a little difficult to find it seems to want to go all the way down but then you can simply bring it back up to half way so its a minor niggle and I'm pretty sure I'll soon start finding the mid spot easily. Overall I'm pleased and it really doesn't feel that heavy I was worried but honestly I think my fears where unfounded, I had wondered if I would be putting it on and taking it off for xc and enduro events but I can see that I'll be keeping it on permanently now. Cant wait to actually take it somewhere technical but work is getting in the way this week.

 

Update:

Well I went for a ride this morning and while I was rubbish due to general tiredness the dropper was a game changer. Suddenly I can feel the balance point when attempting a manual. I'm sure this will get me to a proper manual soon. Dropping off 3 step curbs suddenly feels effortless. Jumps are higher and more controlled. I can corner like I'm riding an enduro course on the downs and pop the saddle back up for the flats and the ups. Everything was more fun which was good because I was so knackered. I have to work on keeping my wheel straight when I loft it over stuff since I have a habit of pulling to the right but the fact that I can now use a weight shift to loft the front wheel is amazing. Its this effortless sensation that I can tell is going to completely change the way I tackle any sort of technical terrain. I'm well pleased. I will admit that the whole bump to raise the saddle thing is going to take some getting used to. Its a bit of a flow killer and I'm still thinking too much about the dropper but that will change given time I'm sure. Its a bit like having a front derailiuer again I often had to think do I want my saddle up or down for this.

Are you still using this dropper?

 

I am thinking of getting one?

 

can you maybe explain to me what you mean a bit of play?

[NGM]

Q1. Make/Model (year if known): 

A1. 2014 stealth reverb (and 2009 not so stealth reverb)

 

Q2. How long have you had it:

A2. 1 year

 

Q3. Price (new):

A3. Not sure, came with the bike

 

Q4. Drop (mm) and fixed or unlimited heights, mechanical or hydraulic:

A4. 125mm, unlimited adjustment

 

Q5. Yearly running cost (approx):

A5. 0 to date (and 0 out for 6 years from an older version)

 

Q6. Reliability 1 to 5 (5 excellent, 1 poor):

A6. 5. Faultless to date (and faultless from the said older version)

 

Q7. Picture (if possible):

A7. Sorry!

 

Buy a torque wrench and decent seatclamp - set it up properly and (maybe I've just been lucky) you should have years of great service from a reverb. 

 

[Mathieu_Schneuwly]

Just a comment regarding my 2015 Giant 150mm dropper.

 

When its new and working it works perfectly.

I started noticing some stiction after a few months and decided its time to strip, clean and re-lube.

 

I'm not happy with the design of the post.

The dust wiper cap unscrews and then allows the stanchion to be pulled from the main tube.

The base of the seat clamp is machined from the end of the stanchion which is fairly common.

However the bushing end (the end that disappears into the seatpost) has some nasty sharp features machined into it. Sliding over those protruding sharp features is the only way to get the dust wiper cap off the stanchion.

 

I inspected the dust wiper cap and sure enough, it had four little nicks in it, corresponding to where it had been dragged over the sharp features - at the factory assembly!

To me this is a major design flaw. The seals will always be at high risk of damage from the factory, grease will always escape the dust wiper and dirt will always get in, causing sticky action and wear to the stanchion (just like on a fork).

 

The point of the sharp protrusions is to position two cheap little plastic bendy pieces which act as the lower bushing. They don't hug the post, so re-inserting the stanchion without the plastic things going skew and jamming is touch and go.

 

In comparison I have a "premium price" KS lev. That is an engineering masterpiece - the ease with which it can be stripped, cleaned and serviced is a clear sign of superior design and therefore the kind of kit which can last ages if looked after.

 

Bottom line, the giant is cheap but in my opinion designed as "disposable". I would not buy it again - I would rather save up and buy something of better quality.

[Skylark]

But the Ks lev has to be sent away for a rather pricey service if something goes pear shaped inside the cartridge?

 

Whereas the Giant around R600 and a quick cartridge swop out and the post is good as new.

 

I also saw those 4 cutouts on the seal of the Giant post, you sure they aren't supposed to be there, I was also wondering about that, they seem perfectly symmetrical, it's perhaps made to let air escape when the post is compressed?

[Headshot]

Been on a 2016 Giant 125 mm for a few weeks now. Looks are great - all black is much more attractive than the previous version. The dropper functionality is perfect - an audible thunk when it reaches max height. I did pick up some up down play when the post was fully extended  - it wasn't dropping on its own or anything like that. I stripped the cartridge out and then re-installed it  tightened the bottom cap properly and no more problems. I got mine for an excellent price so no complaints...

[Mathieu_Schneuwly]

I'm sure sending the KS for a service will be pricey, however it works with a pretty much identical cartridge system to the Giant one, which I would buy and fit myself for fairly cheap. I bought mine used, so no warranty anyway. The seal is a dust wiper like on a fork stanchion, what good is it if it comes pre-cut with gaps? No, the cuts are from being dragged over four sharp edges which are machined symmetrically into the stanchion. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has spotted this, which confirms my assessment about the design...

 

Edit: the dust wiper failing is unrelated to the performance of the cartridge. Dust getting into the wiper will scar the black stanchion and cause worsening sticky action, rapidly ruining any new seal you put on, meaning you throw the whole thing in the bin. Maybe keep the cartridge as a spare if you do plan to buy another giant...

 

But the Ks lev has to be sent away for a rather pricey service if something goes pear shaped inside the cartridge?

Whereas the Giant around R600 and a quick cartridge swop out and the post is good as new.

I also saw those 4 cutouts on the seal of the Giant post, you sure they aren't supposed to be there, I was also wondering about that, they seem perfectly symmetrical, it's perhaps made to let air escape when the post is compressed?

[Paul Ruinaard]

I have a quandary.

 

I have a Rock Shox reverb that came to me from a mate and then bought a Specialized Stumpjumper frame which has a command post in it.

 

Which is better and which would you keep ?

 

 

[RockCoach]

Q1. Make/Model (year if known): 

A1. 2014 KS Lev (external) -

I actually own a second one - 4 years old - which has been just as reliable.

 

Q2. How long have you had it:

A2.  2 years

 

Q3. Price (new):

A3.  +/- R4000

 

Q4. Drop (mm) and fixed or unlimited heights, mechanical or hydraulic:

A4. 150mm. Infinite height adjustment. Hydraulic.

 

Q5. Yearly running cost (approx):

A5. R0

 

Q6. Reliability 1 to 5 (5 excellent, 1 poor):

A6. 5

 

Q7. Picture (if possible):

A7. http://kssuspension.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Lev.jpg

[Skylark]

I'm sure sending the KS for a service will be pricey, however it works with a pretty much identical cartridge system to the Giant one, which I would buy and fit myself for fairly cheap. I bought mine used, so no warranty anyway. The seal is a dust wiper like on a fork stanchion, what good is it if it comes pre-cut with gaps? No, the cuts are from being dragged over four sharp edges which are machined symmetrically into the stanchion. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has spotted this, which confirms my assessment about the design...

 

Edit: the dust wiper failing is unrelated to the performance of the cartridge. Dust getting into the wiper will scar the black stanchion and cause worsening sticky action, rapidly ruining any new seal you put on, meaning you throw the whole thing in the bin. Maybe keep the cartridge as a spare if you do plan to buy another giant...

From what I have read the Giant droppers are one of the most reliable, I have heard they do get sticky from time to time but you clean them out and they are good as new again. Definitely winners and from what I understand the 2016 model has the new seat clamp and some cosmetic adjustments but other than that largely the same as the old post.

 

Can't see the Ks cartridge being cheap if they are available but from what I understand they are serviceable, the whole post needs to get sent away and it's pricey.