KindShock Debuts Lightest Full-Travel Dropper Post and New Budget Model – Taipei Cycle Show
 |
Dropper posts add weight to your rig—it's a ridiculously self-evident fact that most of us have come to accept because, well, until we start fabricating the guts of a dropper post and its remote out of thin air and fairy dust, the grams are just going to add up. Simple as that, really. This doesn't mean, however, that we can't shed some weight from our droppers. The real question is how. KindShock's approach, when they debuted their LEV C (external cable routing) and LEV Ci (internally routed) models a year ago, was to craft the seat post's mast from unidirectional carbon fiber. They also lopped 50 grams from their original cable and remote. The total weight for their original LEV Ci model? 436 to 450 grams.
There was just one hitch—the thing only offered 65 millimeters of seat height adjustment.
Palm, meet forehead. Forehead, meet palm.
In a world in which riders are clamoring for at least 125 millimeters of adjustment (if not 150 millimeters or more) a mere 65 millimeters doesn't cut it. That's why KindShock originally marketed the LEV CI as a cross-country post. Well, the LEV CI will now offer between 100 and 175 millimeters of seat height adjustment. In other words, it's no longer just for XC racers. KindShock claims that the post is at least 100 grams lighter than their next closest competitor.
There was just one hitch—the thing only offered 65 millimeters of seat height adjustment.
Palm, meet forehead. Forehead, meet palm.
In a world in which riders are clamoring for at least 125 millimeters of adjustment (if not 150 millimeters or more) a mere 65 millimeters doesn't cut it. That's why KindShock originally marketed the LEV CI as a cross-country post. Well, the LEV CI will now offer between 100 and 175 millimeters of seat height adjustment. In other words, it's no longer just for XC racers. KindShock claims that the post is at least 100 grams lighter than their next closest competitor.
The new LEV CI will sell for "mid to high $500" (depending on which travel package you pick) when it hits the streets. Expect to see it in shops before summer rolls around.
From the Lightest to One of the Most Affordable...
Thoughts of a $500 to $550 dropper post don't arouse your inner weight weenie? Too busy seeing that price tag and thinking, nope, you'd still like to have money for things like food and shelter? If that describes you, KindShock's new LEV SI model is probably welcome news because it promises to lower the price ceiling on long-travel, internally routed posts.
The new model will sell for between $269 (100 to 125 millimeters of height adjustment) and $289 (150 millimeters of height adjust). The LEV SI doesn't feature the company's patented one-way roller clutch bearing, opting instead for a new, internal bushing system that KS says will still keep annoying side-to-side play to a minimum.
As with its more expensive stable mate, you can expect to see the LEV SI sometime between Sea Otter and the start of summer. In other words, it's coming soon and it'll add a bit more competition to the mix. X-Fusion is currently leading the cost-conscious game, with its $200 Manic post, followed by the LEV SI, then Giant's $300 Contact SL Switch and Fox's $329 Transfer Performance.
Competition is always a good thing.
The new model will sell for between $269 (100 to 125 millimeters of height adjustment) and $289 (150 millimeters of height adjust). The LEV SI doesn't feature the company's patented one-way roller clutch bearing, opting instead for a new, internal bushing system that KS says will still keep annoying side-to-side play to a minimum.
As with its more expensive stable mate, you can expect to see the LEV SI sometime between Sea Otter and the start of summer. In other words, it's coming soon and it'll add a bit more competition to the mix. X-Fusion is currently leading the cost-conscious game, with its $200 Manic post, followed by the LEV SI, then Giant's $300 Contact SL Switch and Fox's $329 Transfer Performance.
Competition is always a good thing.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
Dork? Yup. That's me.
Now I have a 9.8 on my new bike.
Wasn't holding height and was just out of warranty when I sent it in. They replaced it w. a brand new post w. upgraded internals. Not what I expected/was impressed.
I'd buy one again with that kind of service.
Am riding once a week usually fall/spring, if not more during the summer w. longer hours after work.
Your mileage may vary.
I'm 6' and ride a large size frame. I would love to ride a 175 post slammed but I'm not sure the seat tube would be long enough. I ride a 150 KS lev (all of my KS droppers have been great FYI) but if I run it slammed I don't get full leg extension for the climbs. When it's time to go DH mode I end up loosening up the seat collar to slam it all the way to get the most clearance as possible. This is annoying.
Hope this helps
Some of the new stuff coming out like the Fox/RF/Easton one, the new x-fusion and a few others are sounding promising however
No! Not after being burned. @500 for a seat post it better last. My Kind Lev Ti gave up the goose after a season and a half and would not extend. I'm suspect of all dropper posts, though having better luck with my Reverb and Fox transfer on the other bike. The reverb sags a tad when sitting on it(~1/4inch), but still totally usable.
i explained very polite that the damage must be down to a bad seal because the bike was hardly ridden and my girlfriend ist scared riding in the mud so she did rode it 2 times in the rain. 11 motors offered the repair for almost the new price of the dropper. we payed the shipment back and bought a reverb.
i am an enduro/dh racer an i train a lot and very hard and beat the shit out of my components and i can't complain if something goes bad in no time. (my reverbs run flawless with a bit of maintenance for the whole season) but the dropper of my mtb beginner girlfriend goes bad after a few rides...life is to short to argue with a bad customer service who seem to know everything.
actually i have one question...what if i told you the truth? or even better what if YOU are right and this is not a warranty case. are ks seatposts meant to break and get water inside after. (looked it up on strava) 23 rides in the dry and 3 in the wet
if you want to lose a customer lasting you give him the feeling he would lie.
I pass...no thanks.