That old chestnut - Researching options to replace my nearly dead reverb (big gouge on the stanchion, loads of play, slow action, out of warranty)
Looking at sub-£200 options and a few spring up
KS Supernatural (new model) - 150mm - £170 (from Germany)
Giant Contact Switch SL - 150mm - £120
Reverb (older model) - 125mm - £190
Would prefer 150mm over 125mm and need external routing. Not bothered about 30.9 or 31.6 as I can use a shim
Having a head-scratcher here as I've used the reverb (2nd hand) for two years now but had an older under-seat lever operated KS post that was great and really reliable. The reverb has never been brilliant tbh including sticking in place when riding in cold weather
Help
Daft? No.
Ive had a KS dropzone (Supernatural with layback) for a couple of years with no servicing and no problems.
Not to hijack the thread or anything....but how do you find the under seat actuation? I keep toying with the idea but wondering whether it's a hinderance having to let go of the bar with one hand? Or do you ever bash it (perhaps with a knee) and make involuntary adjustments?
The answer to this could see me go for one, as my old zesty has no frame routing
Don't know about the new one but I have an original Supernatural- it needed serviced immediately to make it work, and it's had a couple of basic services and one repair which got it a new oil stick, keys etc, but it's been used heavily for years, all year round, and still going strong. I certainly trust it more than my reverb. Most issues have been with my bad cable servicing but even then I can override it at the seat end so it fails soft.
@mccraque
I wouldn't go back to an underseat lever, in your case a couple of well placed slim zip-ties would create the routing needed under the top tube.
I don't miss trying to scrabble about to drop the seat when i encounter something unexpected
Thanks Mackem and NW
By chance you selling just the remote?
I can do
Was going to put the reverb up FS for parts & spares
Cheers let me know. Email profile
PS KS is ok in my previous bike but sold it because of its poor design mechanical remote where sand/grit easily gets into the lever below the seat and preventing remote from working. But its an old design ages ago, its probably sorted in their newer design now. Its a shame as it looks and feel more solid built than my reverb.
I have had a KS supernatural for over year now and the only thing I have had done is replacing the cable, I ride 2-3 times a week in mendip mud all year round and its been ace.
Just ordered the KS. It's the 2016 model and can't see it anywhere else cheaper.
Wolfie: I'll drop you an email with pics of the remote
I have two i900Rs, which are the precursors to the Supernatural. The main annoyance with them is cack accumulating around the actuator under the saddle and interfering with its release a bit. Some Supernaturals have a similar design but others do something else there. A more rigorous cleaning regime than mine would probably prevent it being an issue except on the muddiest of rides.
but how do you find the under seat actuation? I keep toying with the idea but wondering whether it's a hinderance having to let go of the bar with one hand? Or do you ever bash it (perhaps with a knee) and make involuntary adjustments?
I've been using one for a few years on my hardtail, because I like to switch between a dropper and a normal seatpost on it. I've also got a remote activated KS lev on my full sus bike.
I've never caught anything on the under seat lever, not sure how you could to be honest so that's not an issue. Is it a hindrance having to take a hand off the bar? Well yes it is. Not so much if you know the trail and can anticipate when you need to use it, but if you just crest a rise and find yourself hurtling down a rocky chute do you really want to take your hand off and start grabbing at your crotch? I've come to regard it as more a lazy QR, I don't have to find the correct saddle height and get it aligned etc just wait for a suitable bit of trail then pull the lever and it's done.
The KS lev on the full sus bike is much more useable, you find yourself dropping the seat much more as it's so easy. if you want a dropper 100% of the time I'd put up with a few zip ties and buy a remote one.
KS Supernatural (new model) - 150mm - £170 (from Germany)
Do you have a link for that please?
[url= http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/kind-shock-super-natural-remote-435mm-seatpost-259421 ]Bike Discount[/url] Ended up being £174
Ta.
cack accumulating around the actuator under the saddle and interfering with its release a bit
you need to make little rubber cover out of some inner tube to stop the crap coming up off the back wheel, under the saddle and clogging the actuator
its great then
woah - can we have a link for the gaint seatpost? Thanks! Why the lev over the giant, considering the price difference?
[url= http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/79680/Giant_Contact_SL_Switch_Dropper_Seatpost_440mm?gclid=Cj0KEQjw1cS6BRDvhtKL89em1oIBEiQAtZO5x2ra0vkkSwsxvSxswuwmKYKuj4HfPVxW0lyop1NqlUIaAqH28P8HAQ ]Giant Connect SL @ Winstanleys[/url]
I've had a KS Supernatural with underseat handle in the past (older model) and found it really reliable and liked the user serviceability
Giant has some good reviews, but not as simple to maintain and heard tell of some play developing in a similar way to a reverb does. Ultimately i've gone KS as i've history with them
This thread was really to convince myself not to stick with a reverb or chance the giant