Forum menu
Adjustable seatpost...
 

[Closed] Adjustable seatposts & 27.2mm frames

Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 
[#292036]

There seem to be some engineering issues resulting in adjustable seatposts being readily available in the larger diameters, but only Crank Bros making them in 27.2mm size - and that after a huge R&D period - and the unit is not getting great reviews due to 'slop and waggle'.

The much-talked-about new Specialized adjustable post is only coming out in 30.9mm diameter.

Back in the day it didn't matter so much as trails were less demanding and knees were younger and more tolerant to a lower general saddle height.

Nowadays I for one am always changing my seatpost height during rides and have a 27.2mm seatpost - I'd kill for an adjustable post. I'm actually considering a change of frame to deal with this - the '09 version of my bike has a 30.9mm seat tube.

So what's the inside track on this? Is anyone else going to come out with a decent 27.2mm diameter adjustable post?


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:13 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

http://www.gravitydropper.com/GravityDropper.html

fairly reliable too.


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:16 pm
Posts: 3729
Free Member
 

[url= http://www.gravitydropper.com/GravityDropper.html ]Gravity Dropper[/url]


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:16 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Gravity Dropper


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:19 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Yup, my mistake, there is that one too, but to be honest I wouldn't put one of those on my bike, I think it's very ugly. Any other info out there?


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:19 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Someone posted on here with a link to a US shop selling 27.2 gas lift adjustable seatposts for $35. Can't remember the name of the shop or post though, surley worth a go at that price, anyone remember that?


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:28 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Was that cheap one the Sette Right (or something like that?)


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:35 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

TheYeti - Member

Yup, my mistake, there is that one too, but to be honest I wouldn't put one of those on my bike, I think it's very ugly. Any other info out there

FYI - getoverit. It's a bike.


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:35 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

TheYeti - Member
FYI - getoverit. It's a bike.

Well observed, it is indeed a bike, 10/10. But it's also a gorgeous piece of engineering and I'm not sticking a butt-ugly Gravity Dropper on it. If you have to ask why not then you wouldn't understand the answer 🙂


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:45 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Anybody actually got one of those yet - seems too good to be true!!


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:45 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Some of the MBR people say they're a bit dodgy.. Probably worth a punt though, probably worth fitting some kind of shock boot to it I'd say..

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/controls/Seatpost/sette/ryde-st-850/PRD_418242_141crx.aspx


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:47 pm
Posts: 4
Free Member
 

There will soon be a KS Cobra i900 in 27.2 I remember a thread on here where a few people were putting up info on the soon to be released 27.2 version, just can't find the thread...

But found this which has more info on the Sette Ryde:
[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/ks-i900-adjustable-seatpost-where-from ]http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/ks-i900-adjustable-seatpost-where-from[/url]


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:47 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Looks good, 665g - hmm


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 12:48 pm
Posts: 2
Free Member
 

Man I'd go for one of these, bargain! That postage is steep though.


 
Posted : 10/02/2009 4:46 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Resurecting an ancient thread here, but anyone any further forward with a decent 27.2mm asjustable post? Wanting one for my Blood for the Mega.

Cheers


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 9:57 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

The "decent" seatpost is already available in 27.2


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 9:59 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Not sure if you're slagging my spelling or making a poor Gravity Dropper themed joke? I thought since the post is about a year old there might be an update on what's "decent" out there?


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 10:09 pm
Posts: 13492
Full Member
 

Pure racing now do the i7 - a 27.2mm version. No idea if it exists in the flesh as is now any good.


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 10:19 pm
 igm
Posts: 11873
Full Member
 

I've got the cheapo KS850 - not well made, needs love and attention, plus a little hacksawing of the release lever under the saddle and a piece of old inner tube as a shock boot style addition.

But at £60 it works and I can live with the issues.


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 10:21 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Not sure if you're slagging my spelling or making a poor Gravity Dropper themed joke? I thought since the post is about a year old there might be an update on what's "decent" out there?

It's still the best option out there IMO, in any sizing... I have both a GD and a Spesh Command Post, prefer the GD as it's been faultless in nearly 4 years of use. The CP has been good as well, but time will tell if it has the same longevity as the GD. Plus there are a couple of things with the CP that aren't great, like the propriety cable and the fact the cable inserts below the seat (ie above the drop) means that when you lower your saddle the bend of the cable changes and on my bike this means it sticks out some, which then snags your leg at times, annoying 😡 Though it is a nice bit of kit, these little things bug me 🙄


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 10:24 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Whats the opinion on non-remote? No front mech so keen not to clutter the bars if it's not strictly necessary.


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 10:29 pm
Posts: 66109
Full Member
 

Non-remote is rubbish frankly, you can operate them on the move but not when the going gets rougher and that's exactly when you'll want to shift it anyway. I had a non-remote Gravity Dropper and all it did was mock me- "You have a dropper post but you can't use it without stopping, ha ha ha"

Anyway. Yes Gravity Droppers are ugly but they're also the lightest and most reliable dropper seatpost out there. Reliability being the main thing, so many of these are just not fit for purpose but the GD is dependable, and very easily serviced if it needs it.


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 11:13 pm
 rhys
Posts: 63
Free Member
 

Just to add my two penneth.I wanted an adj seatpost for the mega as others have mentioned.

E mailed the manuacturers of the KSi7

[b]Dear Rhys:
I7 with od: 27.2mm will be available around in July in UK , pls contact our UK distributor as below:

Company Name: Pure Racing

Tel: 44-0845-475-5075

e-mail: pure@pure-race.com[/b]

so not in time for the Mega

But I then e mailed Gravity dropper and asked about their new i beam head and guess what? Its on its way to me now! Hope I've not jinxed it!!
[u] http://www.pinkbike.com/news/gravity-dropper-turbo-preview-2010.html [/u]


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 11:29 pm
Posts: 25940
Full Member
 

the rase one is available as 27.2 I think


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 11:33 pm
Posts: 3329
Full Member
 

GD here. It's simple, ace, and I don't think it's been bettered yet!


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 11:40 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

lol at buying a less reliable and heavier seatpost because of the way the GD looks. 🙄


 
Posted : 07/04/2010 11:55 pm
Posts: 24
Full Member
 

I've used GD for 2 and a bit years. They're not too heavy & they're user serviceable. Mine's the standard non-remote. I don't think they look too bad & I've not heard much that's good about the hydro ones.

If you want the bike to look beautiful, whatever you do, don't use it off-road, it might get scratched!


 
Posted : 08/04/2010 12:34 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Rhys - that looks like the way forward, cheers. Where did you order from?


 
Posted : 08/04/2010 12:12 pm
 rhys
Posts: 63
Free Member
 

Brycey, Gravitydropper themselves
see www.gravitydropper.com


 
Posted : 08/04/2010 2:12 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

does anybody know if you can get a droppable seatpost to fit an orange five or is that too thin


 
Posted : 08/04/2010 3:31 pm
 rhys
Posts: 63
Free Member
 

27.2 as above


 
Posted : 08/04/2010 3:53 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

ok cheers for that


 
Posted : 08/04/2010 4:02 pm
 br
Posts: 18125
Free Member
 

Anyone got an I-Beam GD, should I press the 'buy' button?


 
Posted : 16/08/2010 2:14 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I see all that talk of zombies has raised this thread from the dead.

While it's here however does anyone know if the gap in the market for a 27.2 adjustable post with layback has been filled yet?


 
Posted : 16/08/2010 2:26 pm
Posts: 3775
Free Member
 

Pure racing now do the i7 - a 27.2mm version. No idea if it exists in the flesh as is now any good.

18 Bikes in Hope have them in - and reduced as well
Saw one yesterday in the glass cabinet directly in front of the door, looked a bit ugly with the external reservoir but also looked like a good piece of Engineering so was a bit undecided
Think it was about £190ish


 
Posted : 16/08/2010 2:39 pm
Posts: 19914
Free Member
 

I've got one of the cheapo FS850 ones. It works.
I bought it for the Alps, and when I got to the start of a downhill, I'd lower it, then raise it afterwards. Why a remote control is needed is beyond me, TBH.


 
Posted : 16/08/2010 3:00 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

V smooth to use. Fairly short post so watch out tall riders with small frames. Nae bother for me though.
Sadly, been leaking oil since it arrived, and is now dropping 1.5" as soon as I sit on it when it's fully raised. Disappointing after only two rides.


 
Posted : 24/08/2010 9:17 pm
Posts: 445
Free Member
 

KS i7 - in stock now, I'm tempted to swap my Gravity dropper, if anyone fancies a s/hand one?!

£200 retail, we've got them on at £180

best get em on the website asap, i reckons!


 
Posted : 24/08/2010 9:32 pm
Posts: 80
Free Member
 

I got one of them there KS i7 27.2 jobbies last week

after a few uses impressions are:

1. it's a fugly thing alright....
2. seems to work very well indeed
3. took it apart the day i got it just to make sure i knew how, seems easy to service and pretty simple
4. heavy, but not overly so

will report back in 3 months after it's had a thrashing


 
Posted : 24/08/2010 9:46 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

(Mr MC posting)

thanks to the time travelling aspects of google i thought rather than start a new thread I'd get this resurrected.

amedias how is your i7 getting on?

There doesnt seem to be much competition in the 27.2 size, and if the GD is, as the reviews suggest, limited in its choice of position rather than infinitely variable then that rules it out for me.

As an aside for non-27.2 readers, I owned a 30.9 Joplin which had the much reported rotational play from new. I bought MC a 31.6 from the same place (CRC) and it has no play. Serviced them both and the 30.9 has one key on the inner shaft running in one keyway in the lower tube, the 31.6 has 2 running in 2. MC has just got a 30.9 lower tube to allow her to use it in a different bike (thanks vinnyeh 8), and it too has only one keyway. Wonder if there is any engineering reason why they cant make the 30.9 with 2 keys and eliminate the play? Is it the 30.9 that has caused the reputation?


 
Posted : 28/02/2011 8:43 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I've had the ks850 - it's died. I'd agree with the negative comments about the non remote option. I found getting the seat to drop by bouncing my arse up and down on it with one hand gripping a lever next to my crotch caused interesting expressions in populated areas, and when doing it on technical terrain it was v difficult. I'd go for the remote option in future


 
Posted : 02/03/2011 11:03 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Just ordered a Hilo Fusion from actionsports.de in 27.2mm, non-remote flavour.

When it gets here I'll let you know what I think. I couldn't find many reviews, apparently there is one in Singletrack magazine this month that is favourable but I haven't read it. I took a punt cos of the price, 139eur.


 
Posted : 02/03/2011 11:24 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Well the x-fusion Hilo has arrived after a short hiatus at my neighbours house, who signed for it then weren't in for two days (grrr).

First impressions:
1) it's a very smart looking bit of kit. Black with red anodising on the lever, seatclamp and the top of the outer tube, lucky it matches the red I have elsewhere on the bike.
2) there is absolutely no play or slop in it.
3) You really do need to use fibre grip on the seatclamp cones, and do it up tight, otherwise if you sit slightly too far back and drop the seat it will end up pointing upwards.
4) the action is pretty smooth and it will stop anywhere in the travel (as advertised).
5) after being at full extension for a while if you push it down, but off-centre, there is a bit of stiction and squeaking. Put it back up then down again, pushing in the same place this is not evident. Doesn't seem to happen whilst seated on it, only when pushing by hand so probably won't be evident in proper use.
6) It's pretty light. I confess I forgot to weigh it before fitting. If I remember I'll do it later.

Haven't been on a ride with it yet, and have no other adjustable seatposts to compare it to, so these are just my rambling first impressions. So far I'm impressed. Will report further when I have ridden with it.


 
Posted : 04/03/2011 12:50 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

this was the summary of the test of the HiLo

"We can't fault the function of the X-Fusion HiLo - twin brass rails keep play to a minimum, it's available in the three key sizes and it's cheaper than the competition. In fact, the only drawback with the HiLo is that the steel upper tube pumps the weight up"


 
Posted : 04/03/2011 4:19 pm
Page 1 / 2