My choices are limited to Thomson covert, reverb stealth, Easton haven or race face turbine.
Which would you choose and why?
Thomson reliability is ropey, Eastn/Raceface unproven, Rockshox have had plenty issues but have just done a big redesign and their warranty backup is good.
I'd have the Reverb - will cost a lot less than others too
In the same boat as me, then? I have decided to give the new fox transfer a go, provided that there are not any stories of them self destructing in the first month or so.
i'd go for a reverb (I have 3)
also got a couple of command posts that came on bikes, not as nice to use as the reverb, but not horrible enough to bin them, any reason why not one of those?
It's a gift so cost difference between them isn't a concern and those are the only ones available to the source of the offer.
Has Thomson really been that bad? I appreciate reverb is the most proven but I've never really been a fan of their remote.
Budget - Giant. It works, it's reliable and if needed has an excellent warranty back up.
Non-Budget - Reverb. The most tried and tested out there. Yes, some have failed, but mine's still going strong so that's enough for me! 🙂
There's been some issues with Thomson actuators - but they're good at sorting em
Easy to fit and warranty / customer service is great
Others also have opinions but I'm happy enough with mine and it just works (well - once grub screw got sorted)
The 2 new stealth reverbs I have are both toss. Worse than the original stealth imho.
Thompson have recently made a slight design change to their dropper post so that may sort the issues which people are having above. Not 100% sure on what the exact change is but it is to do with how the cable is connected and held in place on the post.
I have a reverb and have had no problems with it.
I love the 2016 Giant dropper on my Trance Advanced. Double clamp 0 offset and it just works!
170mm reverb if it fits. The remote's still shit but nobody else has a product that can match the drop and that's what it's for, so, win.
Thompson may have turned a corner... They admitted that they only sent the product for UK testing after they started production, so everyone up til now was a paying beta tester, seems like they've made some of the required changes at last... But do you want to reward that attitude by giving them money?
As a Thomson & Reverb owner I'd go Reverb.
The Thomson has a nicer 'feel' to its operation but has been back for a new cartridge 4 times in 2 years.
I don't think the new reverbs are much better, mate has one and within a month or so it already has that 'sag' that the old ones did. I'm not saying don't get one just don't expect to have to send it back for warranty any less than the old one.
I have a turbine, it's good so far (~7 months), only have to adjust cable tension every so often as it sometimes tightens and then when you sit on the post the brake isn't fully locked on and it sinks. Have to let a bit of slack out at barrel adjuster.
No idea about the Thompson.
I was in the same situation - had an older Giant, which whilst reliable now has too much rotational play to be comfortable (18 months of use).
Had a 'new' Giant dropper in Feb - it's lasted 4 months - terrible! You'd think same internals as the original, which would have been better, but on the first damp ride I could feel it graunching away as it went down. Lots of grease added to post under the collar and worked down the slider tube - that helped a lot! But... 3 months later, the anodising is worn off the back of the post and the cartridge stuck in the 'open' position turning it into a not very effective boingy suspension post!
Mate had one at the same time - similar issues (both 125mm) - it appears the new seals are rubbish and don't keep British weather at bay (previous version was much better at this).
Choices were Reverb (but every single person I know with a reverb has had problems), Thomson or the new Crank Bros Highline. Wanted the Thomson, but lead times from my LBS were too long (they're exchanging the Giant dropper for me).
So I'm hoping that Crank Bros are good to their word with their renewed efforts in design, engineering and quality of parts etc. on their new post as that's what I'm picking up later today to fit this weekend. And the 3 year warranty appeals. I hope I don't regret this...
I have a Reverb, its has worked well so far. My Sunday ride it started to creak in the seat tube. Yesterday I bled it, refitted it in the seat tube using some Park 'blue gooey assembly goo' and it is bang on.
Rick Draper - Member
The 2 new stealth reverbs I have are both toss. Worse than the original stealth imho.
Is that with a B1? If so what issues have you had?