Drop Seatposts

[Flippin' Kipper]

I've just got myself a X-Fusion HiLo, and will write a short review, which I will update as time goes on. But I though it would be good to get other peoples experiences of the various posts on the market to help others who may be looking to buy one.



Specification
~ 600g
Travel = 100mm

Positives
+ comes in 27.2 size, which not many posts do.
+ seems well made and robust
+ 100mm drop more than adequate for me
+ cheaper than the competition (£140 posted)
+ infinitely adjustable over the travel
+ looks pretty

Negatives
- heavy compared to the competition, almost 100g heavier than the Rockshox Reverb
- only 100mm travel, some come with more

I took it for a quick ride tonight, before it got dark, and fully extended it is perfect for up hills, allowing my most efficient pedal stroke, but when dropped by its full amount it is nicely out of the way for steep / technical descents. The operation of the post is easy by pulling up a lever under the saddle, although this can also be done remotely from the bars.

The operation of the post is relatively smooth, and it is easy to get it to stop where you want it to.

I have it's first real test planned for next Thursday, so will update this post then, and also over longer period to note any problems I have / maintenance etc.

[Mars]

I really like that but I would replace your quick release clamp with a noon-QR version to make the seatpost less steal-able if I were you.

[Flippin' Kipper]

Mars said:

I really like that but I would replace your quick release clamp with a noon-QR version to make the seatpost less steal-able if I were you.

Good thinking, although you can lock up a bike fairly well, you can remove £100s to £1000s of equipment with nothing more than an allen key! Or nothing at all in the case of a QR seat clamp.

[Omaruk]

600g thats nearly 1.5lbs !!! I dont think I'd want that weight penalty that high up on the frame

[CooperS]

Talking to my lbs I'm sure this is the only seat post which will fit my orange five?

If so I'm sure mark said that the distributor is no more so would find it hard going forward to source them. Could be wrong ( as usual) but I'd worry about the unit failing and not being able to source a replacement under warranty.

[Flippin' Kipper]

CooperS said:

Talking to my lbs I'm sure this is the only seat post which will fit my orange five?

If so I'm sure mark said that the distributor is no more so would find it hard going forward to source them. Could be wrong ( as usual) but I'd worry about the unit failing and not being able to source a replacement under warranty.

There are a few 27.2 posts out there, which is what I think the five is, these are the Pure Racing KS I7, any gravity dropper and the Hilo.

I got my seat post v. cheap from Germany, and obviously I'm hoping not to have any problems (but have kept my old post!). If I do have any Warranty issues I will either approach the shop from where I brought it, the UK distributor, or X-Fusion themselves - but I'll cross that bridge if / when I come to it.

[Chris Sideways]

You can't go wrong with the gravity dropper I've had mine 6 months and can not fault it,it's not missed a beat has taken no maintenance what's so ever and I'm a 100kg rider.

[Ironballs]

There's a good review of dropper posts in this months Singletrack. Tempted to get one for my Nicolai as it will transform its downhilling - you sit high and a little forward and the post doens't drop easily

[neil_bolton]

I've just made the jump.

I wish I'd done it years ago.

I've brought an interim Crank Brothers Joplin 3 which is very nicely made and works just as it says on the tin. It's very quick to get used to dropping it before a descent and although this particular one only drops 3", it's actually more than enough - I found it almost too low!

The reason why it is interim is because just at the same time I purchased a Pure Racing i950 which I have yet to use as it's fubared for some reason and they're being tremendously slack at Superstar in their support

[anniesdad]

I bought the Rock Shox Reverb (with bar mounted hydraulic actuator) and like Neil, wish I'd done it years ago. For anybody teetering on the edge of buying, just do it, the weight penalty isn't noticed! The post has transformed my riding as the old knees don't have to take so much punishment being at the wrong seat height trying to keep up with my faster climbing mates, the post is now always at the right height!

It excelled at Llandegla recently especially where there are some pedalling sections on the black run descents. I managed a full circuit of the trail without stopping (except a quick one for a wee), never done that before.

Fox have their own one coming out soon i believe.

[a11y_m]

anniesdad said:

Fox have their own one coming out soon i believe.

IIRC they're calling it the Fox DOSS: Drop On Steep S**t

I've got a 27.2 Gravity Dropper Turbo on order. I wanted one that would fit all 3 of my MTBS so will be shimmed on my full-susser - it's the only way I could justify the expense to myself, by using it for all my bikes. I went Gravity Dropper as I just want fit and forget and there seems to be too many stories around the Pure/KS/Crank Bros ones failing.

[Flippin' Kipper]

Ok - had my first big ride out on the new post yesterday - 35km doing the long trail at Nant Yr Arian. No problems with the post to report, but I occasionally noticed a small amount of lateral play, but not enough to bother me. It's very easy to use, and makes adjusting the saddle to the ideal heigh quick and intuitive even on short descents and climbs.

Overall very pleased with it, and it has eliminated the pain in my knees from having the saddle at the incorrect height out of idleness.

Also a lovely day for riding yesterday!

[anniesdad]

Flippin' Kipper said:

I occasionally noticed a small amount of lateral play

I think it's fair to say "They all do that Sir". My Reverb does it, again only a very slight amount and not enough for it to be noticeable when riding. Some of the older, cheaper designs have been known to have increasing problems as they get more used.