KS Lev Dropper Post - Eurobike 2011

Aug 30, 2011
by Mike Levy  
KS Lev seatpost

KS's new Lev telescoping post offers 5" of infinite height adjustment in a package that weighs in at 100 grams less than their current offering, but the big news is the stationary cable positioning on the post's outer tube. No more massive loop or funky routing solutions needed.

KS Lev details:

• 5" of total drop (infinite adjustment)
• Stationary cable location on post's outer tube
• Air return sprung/hydraulic internals
• One way bearing system (same as their current post)
• Carbon remote trigger
• Weight: 460 grams (100 grams less than KS's current post)
• Available Jan, 2012
• MSRP: $395 USD


KS Lev seatpost

The Lev's stationary cable position means that you won't end up with a big cable loop when your saddle is lowered. The post itself can also be rotated to have the cable's entry point in a position that best suits the bike, be that on the left or right side of the frame. This is accomplished by the Lev's seatpost head being able to rotate so that the saddle is still in line with the bike - pretty clever.

So, how does KS manage to make the stationary actuation cable work on the Lev? They weren't eager to share too many details on the design, but did hint at the Lev using a secondary inner cable that runs down the inside of the post, actuating it from the bottom instead of the top. You'll find the same clever one-way bearings inside the Lev that their original post uses, allowing it to travel up and down without excessive side to side slop, as well as a comparable air and hydraulic design to control the post's travel. The new design will also be user serviceable, requiring only basic tools to disassemble for maintenance.

KS Lev seatpost

The Lev comes equipped with a carbon fiber remote trigger. It may only shave a few grams (if that), but it sure looks trick. Their compact remote has long been the most ergonomic on the market and it's a wonder why more manufacturers haven't copied the design.


Check out the KS website to see their full lineup.


Stay tuned for more from Eurobike 2011


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Seatposts


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68 Comments
  • 28 3
 For $395 I've got time to stop and put my seat down. Cool product though. I am sure it works great.
  • 4 0
 I bought a KS for $260 and it's totally worth it, you'll get 50% more out of your bike. I also thought it was to expensive and I have no problem in stopping and change but it doesn't compare at all. Some times you want to lower just an inch and other times all the way depending on the terrain and also if you're riding with friends you may not have time to stop and change the height all the time.
  • 2 0
 HenrikY -- Good review. I have heard similar things. $260 is closer to a good price.
  • 4 0
 These height adjust posts are like new cell phones. Why can't they just come up with a good design the first time? I thought the reverb was the best, but now this KS looks ok. When is a reverb(hydraulic bad-assness) mixed with this KS/Gravity Dropper cable routing seatpost gonna come out?
  • 11 1
 When some guy locked in a room in Asia backed up by about 40 Stoners in the US figure out how to make fluid defy gravity.
  • 6 0
 If the Reverb is the best then all droppers are horrible. Mine broke as did a lot of people's reverb if you read the reviews and forum posts on mtbr. Worst is that Rock Shox won't replace them and doesnt even have the parts to be able to fix it this season. No more rock shox products for me.
  • 2 5
 Obviously you are behind the curve takeiteasyhardride, Rock Shox already has an internally routed post. KS came out with a good design the first time and since, everyone else is still playing catch-up. Rock Shox overcomplicated things by making their hydraulic lever system. Gravity Dropper is for mongoloids.
  • 4 0
 I am willing to be one of the select 40 to help in Asia.. You provide the "inspiration" Big Grin
  • 3 5
 PapaGeorgio: If your Reverb failed it's either because you're fat or you didn't bleed it often enough.
  • 10 0
 But be honest, who wants to have to bleed a seatpost? Tbh it makes me giggle abit everytime I think about bleeding a seatpost :L
  • 3 0
 There area few bad apples in the bunch as far as reverbs go. But you're the one who rushed out and bought something the first year of production.
  • 3 0
 MmmBones - hydraulics is no overcomplication, it just works better than the wire. Try one and tell me honestly whether it is worse than wired one.

PapaGeorgio - you sure you have nothing to do with your post failing, like: trying it out with too low pressure?

Reverb has one huge flaw for which RS should get their faces smacked - the piston. It is weak as hell because it's made from shitty cast and it's thin #1, and nr #2 they are nowhere to be found as spare parts so you need t use Xloc one #3 they cost a fortune, and why do I need all those other parts with it?

TO ANYONE AT ROCKSHOX WHO EVER WANTS TO LISTEN: Make a new stronger remote for the Reverb! with fatter and machined stainless piston! Preferably with less travel and mounted further into the bar mount.

Current one sucks! People break it while catching their baggy pants on them while pedalling, I broke mine having the right one under the bars on the left side.
  • 5 1
 @davidmakalaster Why should not weighing 125 lbs keep people from riding bikes? The fact that someones parents included the MAN jean in their conception shouldn't disqualify them from enjoying the ride. Or are you just glad you can wear your little sister's jeans and can wear the s/xs helmet that was on sale (due to the fact that no MAN can wear it) un-buckled?
  • 1 0
 I weight less then 150lbs and I had the Reverb for less then 2months. The problem in my case was the flimsy design of the remote which started to bend (I don't crash or take a hammer to it) and eventually started to leak the fluid. Local bike shop already had replacement parts for the remote (at $60) in stock because they saw it was a common problem but mine broke in such a way that the LBS was not able to fix it without parts that won't be available until end of the season they say. Just saying it's far from a great product.
  • 1 0
 If U want I'll update you on whether Xloc piston fits, which is half price of reverb original part and it is also much more available
  • 2 0
 Any1 interested in a machined stainless steel piston for the reverb? I got one machined after snagging the original on my nicks and it works a treat.
  • 1 0
 mucho mucho interesado - U got PM!
  • 8 1
 i have a thomson seatpost.... has never failed, light too
  • 16 1
 does it go up and down with the push of a button?
  • 1 0
 I bet you haven't tried riding a dropper for a few days then.
  • 1 0
 With a dropper you adjust it more often then you NEED to, which increases your speed, flow and fun during a ride.
  • 2 0
 You won't catch me buying a KS post again, new or otherwise. I bought two last year (one for me and one for the GF), and both failed within half a dozen rides. They went back to Norco for service (bought them in Canada) and sat there for four months because KS didn't have the replacement parts.

Finally got them back, with one serviced and one replaced. Well, the one that was replaced is now starting to have issues again. It won't return all the way, in spite of the fact that I've changed the cable, disassembled the post and completely cleaned / greased everything and have the seat QR so loose that it's barely holding the post in place. The second post that was supposedly serviced has never worked properly since being fixed.

I've tried to get ahold of the guy @ KS several times, but he never responds to emails. And I'm not willing to waste my time or money to ship something that I know won't be fixed properly or will fail shortly after I get it back. So they're sitting in a box. Awesome - several hundred dollars down the drain.

KS posts are an inferior product from a company with piss-poor service that is unwilling to stand behind what they sell. KS doesn't deserve my money - or anyone else's, as far as I'm concerned - regardless of how fancy these posts are.
  • 2 0
 I've got a KS post with the lever under the saddle, called the Supernatural I think. For me the idea is that while riding in the wet, I don't pull grit down into my steel frame's seat tube. After two seasons on a different steel bike with regular post, there was noticeable slop between the seatpost and seat tube from wear after lowering the post in the wet. Once your frame is done, it's done, and I don't want that happening to my Chromag frame. Lever under saddle eliminates extra cable and extra thought while riding. Up to go up, down to go down. If XC is all you're doing, no need for one of these. My first KS post went bad first day, acting like a suspension seatpost. Sent it back to KS in CA and had a new one in a week. Couple months on it now and seems to be holding strong, even with me weighing 200 lbs and on a hardtail.
  • 1 0
 It looks to me, that the fixed cable entry point projects quite far from the post. It seems that would be a point of worry 1) for crashing, 2) for catching loose clothing on. And $400 is a lot of cash to throw at a seat post. I'll buy 4 Thomsons and put them on all my bikes for that amount of money.
  • 1 0
 I can't complain about KS's turnaround time for service because I've spend the last week just trying to get anyone from KS to even return an email or phone call (I've sent each daily). Too bad cuz I like the product, I own two i950r's. One is over 2 years old with no issues, many miles, several falls. The latest is less than a year old and sags a bit when wieghted, just needs a simple service. But NO ONE IS MINDING THE STORE @ KS. Sounds like I'm not alone in my customer service complaints. I wish GravityDopper would buy KS's patents or KS would buy GD's customer service dept. The LEV would be cool if made by GD.
  • 2 0
 The very first Dropper Post ever didn't have the cable problem. It's called a Gravity Dropper, and it started the whole thing going. It may not quite be the best now, bit it has it's strong points.
  • 1 0
 i just bought one. lev ti. the remote cable is junk. I got right in touch with customer service and they said they would send me a new one. I havent used the seatpost, but for 400.00 I would expect a better quality cable. Yes i will go to my LBS and buy a real cable, attach it, solider the end of the cable nicely then attach it. But cmon for 400 shouldnt it come with a nice cable ready to rock? THe plastic nylon cable looks like something on a walmart bike, not a 400.00 product.
  • 1 0
 I love it when someone puts a dropper post in and takes some photos when they still have their QR on also!
If you are racing euduro Dh's then these are a good idea.

I have owned a Gravity dropper and a KS900i in the past, I broke them both very quickly.
Gravity Dropper - Top Snapped off, magnet assembly broke twice, cable assembly to lever broke.
KS900i - Stopped functioning correctly. Would not go up or down correctly and would gradually fall down, I guess it did not like a cold wet day in the mountains (around 2C and wet wet wet)
They did not like being thrashed.
  • 1 0
 Looks good. The weight is attractive, yet the cable conflicting frame/ tyre issue is solely dependent on frame design so not necessarily a "must have". A step forward anyways. Hope the lever is better than in Reverb. RS should really do something about their Xloc because it is a piece of junk put into an awesome design
  • 2 0
 super nice but $400?? wow! Im still pretty tempted. Ive been waiting and waiting for one of these. might have to wait a little longer.
  • 1 1
 Who are these riders that seem to need a self adjusting post ive not seen one out on the trails yet Most compitent riders can adjust the seat without getting off the bike anyway and 400 is way to expensive for this technology get real.
  • 1 1
 Well , I am waiting for my KS seatpost over three months. I would appreciate if they would made my ordered seatpost before I sell my bike. So far very happy with one , need second for my wife... DEAR KS , WOULD YOU PLEASE GET YOUR A$$ INTO YOUR SHOP AND START MAKING AND DISTRIBUTING YOUR PRODUCT?
  • 3 2
 Calm down. copy and paste your way back to sanity: lmgtfy.com/?q=KS+seatpost
  • 1 1
 Thanks for nothing mrsmart , waiting for 27.2 with remote....
  • 1 0
 I am not knocking KS,but GIANT have just released one too. £169 here in the UK, I am in the market for one and had considered a KS unit but will be seriously considering a GIANT version..
  • 1 1
 Well than you can enjoy your 4" drop untested and reviewed post, you get what you pay for. I'll stick with a post that is reliable and functional
  • 2 0
 I am sure it was a uk mag??, "MBR" tested it and gave it a 10.
  • 2 0
 fixed cable entry what a revolutionary idea, except the gravity dropper post has been doing it for about 4 years or so!!!!!!!!!!
  • 3 0
 Did anyone see the price? Waaay to much
  • 4 1
 No. No one saw the price.
  • 1 0
 $395!
  • 1 0
 of course my Supernatural is on the way....oh well, itll be in the classifieds when this is available. also, 100 grams lighter then which model?
  • 1 0
 ... and your LEV will be in the classifieds when they release a carbon version. I'm pretty sure they are comparing weights to the Supernatural. You can get more info here: www.bikeradar.com/news/article/ks-lev-remote-adjustable-seatpost-first-look-31283
  • 1 0
 if its drops another 1/4LB ish and has a even better cable routing, then i probably wont. plus i wouldnt even want to think of the price....even at cost
  • 2 0
 Prices ar supposed to be going down, not up on droppers. Never going to get one at this rate.

27.2?
  • 2 0
 Cross Country , Downhill ....this sports are getting so expensive... Very soon will be much cheaper ride a motocross...
  • 1 0
 No one forces you to buy the most expensive stuff on your bike. Just get a decent bike for the price of 2 of these posts and go ride Wink . I bet that's a lot cheaper than mx...
  • 3 2
 Soooo basically it's the same idea that gravity dropper uses. not that impressive.
  • 17 0
 Minus the million mile an hour nut shot. and constant creaking. and infinite adjustment.
  • 1 0
 I think the key word is Gravity dropper !
  • 7 1
 what if you like the million mile an hour nut shot?
  • 1 0
 it kinda runs me on when i get hit in the nuts :p
  • 1 0
 @Downeville-Hero - Very different internally to what the GD uses, not to mention that although the cable actuation may by in a similar place it is actually an entirely different system.
  • 1 0
 if you like the nut shot then get a raze with 9" of drop so it hits you harder.
  • 1 0
 lmao i wish i had a rise post
  • 1 0
 When are Thomson and Fox going to collaborate to make a dropper post? It needs to happen, like yesterday.
  • 1 0
 Looks great! I did like the stanchions in more of a fox-like scheme than this but whatever.
  • 1 0
 In my case I need the seat most closer to the frame when the seat is in the lowest position
  • 1 0
 Yet another product beyond most peoples pockets....
  • 1 0
 dammit now im pissed I just bought one of the old ones
  • 1 0
 you should be pissed , I've had to send mine back to ks twice sofar in the 4 months I've owned it , but I love it when it works , they will tell u its a 24 hr turn around to fix but its more like a week .
  • 2 0
 probably is 24 hours from their in box to out box, but shipping time is where the other 144 hours goes
  • 1 0
 Hope its better than the reverb my one has broke 3 times so far
  • 1 1
 What if you wanna use it without the bar mount, but just want a light height adjust seatpost? gonna be a bit of a stretch...
  • 1 0
 another $100 increased??
  • 1 0
 I love the idea of the new cable position but KS really needs to work of making these damn things last. I bought my Supernatural in the beginning of July and it has already failed three times. WTF!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Wow that's crazy. 5 guys in my group run KS posts including myself. There haven't been any issues. I got mine used for $100 from a guy who used it only a few times said it wouldn't return correctly. I called KS and mailed it off. They had it back in a week and I only paid for shipping back in April. The bushing was to snug to allow the air spring to return the seat to its full height. Since then its works perfect. I would love a different cable routing option but not for $400.
  • 1 0
 guess im not the only one with the post not lasting long , at least KS fixes it within a week . I wonder if It breaks again I can get one of theese new ones under the Lemon law !







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