Giant's $250 USD Contact Switch adjustable post offers 4'' of travel and will come stock on both their Reign X and Trance X models, as well as being available for aftermarket purchase.
Giant Contact Switch details:
- 4'' of total drop
- Infinite adjustment (no set height position)
- Uses a sealed cartridge with an internal floating piston for reliability
- Cable operated handlebar remote
- Size: 30.9mm
- Available for purchase now
- MSRP $250 USD
How is the Switch different? One of Giant's main goals with the Contact Switch was to produce a reliable adjustable post, something that is surely high on all of the manufacturer's priority lists, but one point that only a few have managed to succeed at. While we have yet to put enough time on the Contact Switch to truly give a verdict, Giant is confident that the design is up to the task. What have they done differently? The majority of hydraulic designs use the post's out tube - the tube that is clamped within the frame - to house its internals, in effect having the post itself act as the cartridge, Giant's Contact Switch uses a separate cartridge within the post. This means that the important oil and air seals are better protected against the elements and are therefore far less likely to fail over time. Anyone who has had their adjustable post "pop" while on a long ride will surely appreciate the Switch's dependable design.
Although the remote is shown here positioned to the inside of the brake perch, it is slim enough to fit in between the lever and grip - a much more ergonomic position. Riders who use a single chain ring, and therefore don't run a shifter on the left side, will be stoked to see that the thumb operated remote can be used on either side of the bar. The Contact Switch is operated via a standard shift cable.
A lower cost, low saddle option: Telescoping posts have quickly become the norm on many trail and all-mountain bikes, adding another level of control that isn't possible for most riders when their seats are at proper pedaling height. No, not all riders need to drop their saddle when the terrain gets technical, and they don't make sense on every trail out there, but there is no arguing that they do make a lot of riding both faster and more enjoyable. The hitch? They certainly are not inexpensive, with most options retailing in the mid $300 USD range, putting them in the "
maybe one day" category for a lot of riders. Giant's Contact Switch telescoping post comes to the market with an MSRP of $250 USD, roughly one hundred dollars less then most of the competition. It can sometimes feel as if new bikes, components and technology gets released every month, with most of it seemingly aimed at the doctors, lawyers and more well heeled participants of our sport, it is great to see an affordable alternative that will allow more riders to reap the benefits of running a dropper post.
Stay tuned for a full review of Giant's Contact Switch post, but tell us what you think about it in the meantime - put those thoughts down below!Visit the
Giant website to see their entire product range.
Depending on where you live, and what kind of riding you do, such seatpost can be worth even 600$ if there would be no cheaper option. As from my experience, ones that benefit mostly, are XC/trail riders living in hilly area with frequent up&downs. No carbon frame or superlight fork, brake, probably even Easton carbon wheelset - can make such a huge change to your XC riding as a dropper seatpost.
At the same time I think that if you ride AM or do enduro races - that is far more of a luxury than a necessity or game changer. So if you riding a true AM, I agree 100 is the max this thing would be worth to me.
Around where i ride one constantly pedals up small inclines and go down technical bits... so dropper post is super good for me.
I have a dropper seatpost and normal one on the hardtail, and I need that time on the hardtail from time to time to not forget how to ride properly. So fr112358, don't feel too bummed about not having one
I also like how they omitted the new headset standard they are championing, after they got lampooned so harshly on Vital for it.
A buddy of mine used in Peru for 2 weeks, and that is one dry, dusty, muddy, rainy place with a lot of seated riding as well. It didn't show any signs of wear whatsoever. (Compared to the Joplins others were using...)
It particularry usefull for hilly XC rides with lots of changes from climbing to decending. But also for AM/FR it is very usefull if you eiter have to earn your ride to the top, or want to maintain momentum through an uphill section in a trail.
On that topic; just because a new standard is released, doesn't mean old standards are gone: these aren't computers or wireless routers. Full 1 1/8" or 1 1/2" standard steerers will still be fully supported for the millions of bikes out there: Giant just created the tapered steer-tube to offer something stiffer than the former, yet lighter than the latter. And if other manufacturers feel the same way about adopting this idea; why not have them all adopt the same dimensions, to make the lives of everyone easier (i.e. aftermarket manufacturers and consumers alike)?
On the topic of this seatpost: It looks good, and is hopefully reliable, but WTF is with the switch cable? Does it have to stick out that far? Couldn't they have designed the cable to run parallel with the bars, instead of perpendicular? One crash in my neck of the woods, and that thing's snagging a branch or sapling for sure.
Do the world a favour folks, try to consume less. Buy stuff that will last.
Problem?
Just give me top, middle and bottom. I know where each position is, and I know which position I'll be in before I flick the switch.
Singtrackslayer, with the lever pushed, the rider adjusts the seatpost height with the body. It is very easy and intuitive.
On a mountain bike with 6" or more of suspension? I'm not so sure it's needed.
I also rode a pre-production Contact Switch post about this time last year. Back then it was a bit notchy and stiction-y, which made finding the ideal seat height a bit hit-and-miss. Hopefully this is all sorted out by now though. The bar mounted lever is a really nice, classy piece of kit though. Intended UK retail price was initially £130, but that'll probably end up at £160-180.
- Ensure there is as minimal cable slack as possible near the dropper. Mine was too slack and the cable ended up rubbing against the upper link and has worn the outer and the cable is now showing, with rust/seizing sure to follow.
- The slight play in the seat is not noticeable when on the bike.
- Getting the seat to stay secured to the post has proven tricky. A couple of times after a heavy impact on the back of the seat it has moved up. I don't like the single bolt to post approach and would prefer two bolts (front and back).
- Putting the remote switch to the right of the shifter, i.e. between shifter and grip seems to be a better approach (for me at least). When the remote was to the left of the shift I found myself reaching too far. This also helps with reducing cable slack.
- 100mm of travel seems plenty for a rider with average height (175cm)
- Not related to the dropper, but the giant grips only lasted two weeks before the backing came off on one!
0.125 increase in steerer size is the best accrodign to their research... I believe you, you twit - but according to logical thinking if others follow your way, we will have tons of already produced, useless scrap left - how does that correspond to the environment policy of your company?
Giant, seriously another new standard??? WTF.
Only big guys with big money like Gary Fisher know why these things come to life, as they push standards into our mouths deciding: what we will ride in 5 years - and they don't necessarily push something that is good for riders, rather stuff that is good for their wallets
i cant justify $ 250 + for a seatpost no matter how bad i want one and it would improve the general riding experiences...
makes me sad
I cant wait until I can afford one for the other bike now. Its transformed my riding enjoyment immensely :-)
If Giant changed theirs from 2 piece clamp-head that fits over the stanchion to something like 1 piece design, they could get another inch of adjustability. I think I like the RockShox Reverb's energized sleeve type seal over the fin-like seals too. I like the serviceability of the the RockShox too.
I'm wondering how Fox's version is coming along. Looks like theirs is cable actuated and has a 1 piece forged head and "stanchion". Wonder if it's going to be mechanical like a specialized post.
GD is losing appeal. RASE's design... I just don't see it around. Need to find some reviews on that before I'd buy "sight unseen". Wonder how these posts are doing after years of use. I'd like something reliable--I've had a bad experience with Crank Bros' post.