Why use a dropper post? KS Lev Integra Review

Full transcript available by enabling closed caption (cc)

On both my Sync’r Pro and my Mission 2, I have a KS Lev Integra dropper post, which is the integrated version of the normal KS Lev. If you push the switch, the seat post moves freely up and down. If you release it, the seat post locks into place. This is similar to an office chair, except a little more refined.

So what do I mean when I say this post is integrated? Well, some bikes come dropper ready, which means they have a port to run a release cable inside the frame. If your bike is dropper ready, you can install pretty much any integrated dropper post, like the Rock Shox Reverb Stealth, or this KS Lev Integra. If your bike isn’t dropper ready, then you can get a normal dropper post and hook the cable up on the outside. This is usually more economical, and easier to install anyway.

Once you get accustomed to having a dropper post, you’ll use it all the time. For mountain bikers who have never tried riding with the saddle down low, the benefits may not be immediately obvious. If you fall into that category, I encourage you to drop your saddle and try jumping around a bit. You may find that you can do things you couldn’t before, like maneuvering on to and over pretty big stuff.

Once you install your dropper post, you can extend it all the way up and adjust it to your full ride height just like a normal seat post. This way, you can drop it for technical sections, and then pop it back up to your perfect ride height at the flip of a switch. The KS Lev on my Mission has 120mm of travel. On my Sync’r Pro, I purposely bought a 150mm KS Lev since the frame goes lower. Both posts are installed as low as possible, which luckily puts them at my perfect ride height when fully extended.

When choosing a post, I was trying to decide between the Rockshox Stealth and the KS Integra. The reason I chose the KS came down to reliability and simplicity, as it uses a cable release as opposed to the hydraulic release on the Rockshox. Sure enough, I took a spill at Grapefruit trails that ripped the cable right out of my dropper post. The repair was easy. If I had the hydraulic release, it would have been significantly more involved to fix.

Overall I’m happy with my decision to get the KS Lev. Like most dropper posts you need to keep it clean and make sure it has plenty of air pressure. If I slam it all the way down and leave it overnight, it doesn’t pop up at first without sitting down on it or giving it a good bonk. I’d say this is not really an issue. The seat clamp is pretty basic, but it allows for micro adjustments to the angle of your saddle just like a good seat post should. The release on the bottom of the post is designed so you can disconnect it quickly for service, instead of needing to undo the cable. I’ll also mention that this post comes with a cleverly designed switch, which actually integrates with ODI grips. Although I appreciate the ingenuity, I don’t like using this switch at all, and it constantly rubs on my hand while riding. For a few extra bucks, you can get their Southpaw lever, which is way better, and should come standard in my opinion.

The rest of this transcript is available by using the closed caption option. YouTube only allows so much here!

KS Lev Integra: http://www.sethsbikehacks.com/product/ks-lev-integra-dropper-seat-post/

Southpaw Lever: http://www.sethsbikehacks.com/product/ks-southpaw-lever/