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Just did a search on here for opinions and seem to have narrowed it to one of:
[url= http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/kind-shock-lev-integra-remote-seatpost-385-mm-21953/varid-108713?currency=3&delivery_country=190&gclid=Cj0KEQjw9JuuBRC2xPG59dbzkpIBEiQAzv4-G3AHVeEjv-6kWD7M2hp5AiZjEdQtHAn0ZRpDULJ19ewaAjix8P8HAQ ]KS Lev Integra[/url] £226
[url= http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/rock-shox-reverb-stealth-125-connectamajig-seatpost-30%2C9-mmx-right-90725/wg_id-2280 ]Rock Shox Reverb Stealth[/url] £211
From riding a couple of demo bikes I think I marginally prefer the KS lever, the ease of maintenance with kit I already have and the opportunity to change to a southpaw in the future but the Reverb seems to get the reliability kudos and the up/down/return action did feel good in use. There's very little in it price wise.
Any words of wisdom before I toss a coin, other contenders at or below the same price or better prices on either of these that will help sway it one way.
Having not yet put the bike together I am not sure if I will get 125 or 150mm drop but will be 31.6mm diameter.
Thanks.
Reverb, both of mine have been faultless. Neither have needed any TLC with regards to bleeding the remote or any servicing for that matter.
Owned both. Reverb trouble free 2 years of operation, KS is only half a dozen rides old so too early to say on reliability but much prefer the operation with the Southpaw. Wouldn't go back to a Reverb
Who would you rather deal with when it invariably goes wrong?
I much prefer the cable operated remotes of the KS, the ODI collar one worked well for me. Still not found a good position for the reverb one.
Who would I be dealing with when the KS goes wrong? tbh I have no idea, especially if I buy it off a German website.
If its UK bought, then Jungle. Not sure about Europe.
Are you wanting brand new? If not, I'll have a Reverb in 125mm drop for sale once I've cleaned it...will be cheaper than those prices...used for about 50 miles...
Without the sales pitch, I'm impressed with the Reverb, had them for almost 4 years now. They work well and when they do fail, the support service is very good. Only real drawback in my opinion is the initial cost, it is steep unless it comes with a new bike. Saying that though, a dropper does improve every bike ride.
I'd be interested in taking a look. Please can you send pictures to email in my profile. Thanks.
Weekday collective - any further views?
Only got a 100mm dropper on my Scout needs a 150.
Surely the amount of drop you can have depends on what height saddle you need?
But yes I am planning on at least 125mm.
Reverb on mine has been faultless
Jungle were excellent to deal with when I broke a small component of my Lev when I disassembled it (i.e. not a warranty matter). Had it back to me within 4 days of posting it to them, with a replacement part fitted and ready to go back on the bike, with a bill of £0.
You can get a stevied adapter for 1/3 of the price of a southpaw lever too.
Just to throw another option in there, what about a Thompson Elite Covert dropper? Unfortunately a bit more expensive but they're meant to be bombproof, and very smooth action.
If you can (check seatpost length) I would really suggest a 150 dropper. 125 was just not enough to get the saddle out of the way on my scout.
When the Reverb and the Lev are well rated and already cost enough I don't see the point in cashing out any more for a Thompson.
darrenspink - noted on the 150mm drop. I will go for that providing there is room.
Edit - that could be a point back to the Reverb as it doesn't look like the Integra comes in 150mm drop.
Integra is definitely available in 150 drop. That's what I'm running, latest 2015 model
???the Reverb seems to get the reliability kudos
Every single person I know that has had a reverb has had problems with it.
I have a 150mm KS Lev Integra 31.6 (and a regular Lev same spec). I paid over the odds for both from Jungle as I wanted somewhere to send it back to in the UK when it breaks as all droppers do. Should have saved my money, serviced the Lev myself once in a year of being hammered in filthy conditions. After the service I couldn't tell the difference, it felt just as good.
For me I wanted it activated by a cable, not a hydraulic line so went for the Lev. I just didn't get on with the Lev lever so changed for a southpaw which is brilliant. They say the Southpaw is for 1X only but you can mount it on top of the bars if you run 2/3X.
So in my exerience the Lev feels great, works and keeps on working. That's where I would put my wonga. No doubt the next person will say there Reverb has never faultered and their Lev is rubbish.
Every single person I know that has had a reverb has had problems with it
+1 In my opinion I wouldn't say the Reverb was a particularly reliable post. Not saying KS are perfect but I think they have less problems. They also seem easier to fix at home.
I have a Reverb and a LEV and in action both feel very similar. The two things that sway me in favour of the KS is I prefer the lever, I find it much more ergonomic to use and the static cable is much better design. But the last point doesn't apply you as you're looking for a stealth dropper.
What's a "Stealth" dropper?
A stealth dropper is one where the activation cable or hose is routed from the bottom of the seat post through the seat tube. Depending on the frame the hose either exits from a port in the frame near the BB or is routed within the frame and exits out a port in the head tube.
I think they get their name from the fact that from a cursory glance they just look like a normal post as much of the activation cable is hidden from view.
Ah. I thought it was maybe disguised so Rob Hilton wouldn't see you were using one.