Which 'Gravity-Drop...
 

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[Closed] Which 'Gravity-Dropper seat post?

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I'm looking for a remote, bar operated seat post 'dropper'. There's the Joplin from Crank Brothers and of course the Gravity Dropper. I can't remember the other, new one I've seen around...

Which is the best of the offerings? I know they suffer from 'play', but from accounts this doesn't seem to effect much from the saddle point of feel


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:56 pm
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Gravity Dropper, Crank Bros Joplin and Pure Racing i900 posts reviewed in the new issue of Singletrack 🙂


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:58 pm
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Watching this thread with interest . . . . 8)


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:59 pm
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Ben_Haworth - Moderator

Gravity Dropper, Crank Bros Joplin and Pure Racing i900 posts reviewed in the new issue of Singletrack [:-)]

Quality!

Do I have to buy a copy to find out which one won?

Edit: I'm thinking of switching my subscription from mbr 🙂


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 9:06 pm
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Do I have to buy a copy to find out which one won?

Tightwad.... 😛


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 9:08 pm
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singlespeedstu - Member

Do I have to buy a copy to find out which one won?

Tightwad.... [:P]

Well, I was really hoping to save a trip down WHS and stand around reading it in there - super tight already! already!


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 9:12 pm
 igm
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Do I have to buy a copy to find out which one won?

No - Tescos do a reference library service


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 9:12 pm
 jonb
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Which ones are available in 27.2mm


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 9:17 pm
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I'm with jonb on this one!


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 9:18 pm
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gravity dropper is 27.2, I have one, not sure about the longevity of the other pneumatic style ones.
Gravity dropper just seems to have a spring and locking pins, Keep it simple stupid


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 9:23 pm
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27.2? Still has to be a Gravity Dropper then. The Joplins aren't available yet?

I have a GD. Been running it for around 3 years and it's had one cable change / re-grease in that time.

Oh - and there's one called the Sette Right too I think


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 9:25 pm
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had my gravity dropper for 2 years now, absolutely no problems with it! Just replaced the cable as it wore out eventually, but the up/down mechanism works fine. highly recommended 🙂


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 9:26 pm
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I use a maverick remote (=joplin?). Had it for a year with no probs, great bit of kit. I also use a rear mudguard which although ugly has the dual benefit of keeping my ar$e dry & the post clean.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 9:39 am
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So, if you have a larger dia seat post (eg 30.9) presumably there's a reducer collar of some kind?

Does this work well, and not effect confidence in stability of the post?


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:18 am
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I just got a KS i900 from xxcycle in france for £108 delivered, pretty speedy too. I didn't get the remote version as they didn't have it in my size. Was hoping to add the remote kit later but it looks as though the cable stop is missing so I dunno if it will work.

Seems pretty decent but I've not tried it in anger yet.

edit: btw mine is in 30.9 size


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:23 am
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If you need a 30.9 then there is also the specialized one


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:25 am
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Good reveiw of it here: [url= http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/seat-post-seat-pin/product/cobra-i900-seatpost-33671 ]KS Cobra i900 Seatpost | £119.99[/url]


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:27 am
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BTW there is a teensy little bit of play on mine - but its nothing compared to my mate's gravity dropper.

More good reviews here:

[url= http://www.descent-world.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=82&task=view&id=910 ]descent world[/url]
[url= http://steedcycles.blogspot.com/ ]steed cycles blog[/url]


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:27 am
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Can't comment on the others but I got my GD 3(?) years ago. Occasionally gets sticky for the first use on a ride, but frees up after a few seconds. Apart from that it works great. I've only cleaned it once and don't use the gator.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:30 am
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richc - Member

If you need a 30.9 then there is also the specialized one

Do you mean this one?

[url= http://www.johnhenrybikes.com/catalog.asp?whichpage=2&search=&mode=price&category=82&subcategory=362&item=1178 ]Titec Pyro' Scoper Prolite Telescoping Seatpost[/url]


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:31 am
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Surely he meant the specialized command post?


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:33 am
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Hite Rite?


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:36 am
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Ahh, now that looks pretty good.

[url= http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/first-look-specialized-command-post-18201 ]Specialized Command Post[/url]


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:36 am
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An inch less travel than the ks one though.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:38 am
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Hmmm... 3 height settings, and made by Spesh


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:41 am
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ive got one of the gd turbo multi ones not sure what they are called its full height/1 inch drop/3inch further drop on a remote

very good and works well more clucky than i expected but i guess thats what comes from keeping it simple and user servicable 😉

great bit of kit


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:42 am
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Command post looks mint!
Will be waiting for that I reckon!


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:43 am
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No word on release for the Command Post?


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:48 am
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What's the cheapest one? I want one for the Mega and will probably not use it too often (it's pretty certain I'll snap it eventually) so don't want to spend big money.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:52 am
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Quite a few problems with the command post according to page 2 of this thread http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=4897381&page=2


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 11:57 am
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I thought there was a press release about Joplin being released in 27.2mm in Jan ?


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 12:41 pm
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A 4 inch drop Joplin in 27.2 will be available shortly...


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 12:52 pm
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Well the Command Post is in stock at Spesh UK, and retails for £240. Local Spesh shop says they'll do one for £220 😯


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 12:52 pm
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Oh - and there's one called the Sette Right too I think

That'll be the Sette Ryde - cheap as chips from US website Pricepoint and comes in 27.2.

http://www.mtnbikeriders.com/2008/01/02/sette-ryde-st-850-suspension-dropper-seatpost-first-impressions/


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 12:59 pm
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Just had a quick ride round on mine with the KS i900 fitted - feels fine using the lever on the post rather than a remote - though I guess if you were racing you might well want the remote.

Felt a bit dubious reaching between my legs to mess about with it in the car park outside. 😛


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 2:13 pm
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I have a Joplin on my Pitch, it was a great investment to be honest.

I had to re-grease the shaft (ohh err) after an incredibly wet ride in the Cambrians, but other than that it's been problem free


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 2:26 pm
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[url= http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/repackrider/avatar235.jp g" target="_blank">http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/repackrider/avatar235.jp g"/> [/IMG][/url]
[url= http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/mtbwelcome.htm ][b]2retro4u[/b][/url]
Marin County, Cali

I'm addicted to changing saddle height for different conditions. I have one of each, a Crank Brothers on my new HiFi 29er and a Gravity Dropper on my old Stumpy.

The Crank Brothers is lever operated, under the seat, and after I got used to it, it's instinctive, although I don't operate it for a few feet of trail like I did with the bar-mount switch on the Gravity Dropper.

My complaint about the Gravity Dropper is the moronic cable routing, which the lever under the seat on the CB eliminates. There are several models, but on my Dropper the cable comes right out of the front of the post, and has to make a sharp bend to be affixed to the top tube. In addition to looping the cable strangely, the fixture where it enters the seatpost looks like it could break off and stab you in the leg.

The Gravity Dropper only stops at each end of the travel, but the Crank Brothers can be placed anywhere along its travel and stays there fine.

______________________________________________________

[b][i]Orwell was a f#$king optimist.[/i][/b]


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 4:03 pm
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A word on the Joplin (is anyone from Crank Bros reading?), one muddy ride on the Mendips and the whole thing needed dismantling, cleaning and regreasing. I now use an old shock boot to protect it from the worst of the crud that gets thrown up by the rear wheel.

Seems like the seals are far from perfect.

But when it works, it's sweet. I dont feel that I need the remote, I like to fiddle around between my thighs.

Also, you will get several degrees of rotational movement with most seatposts of this type. Seems weird at first, but you dont really notice it when riding.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 6:40 pm
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what agent said - my Joplin is excellent , but protected with a neoprene chainstay boot 😀


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 7:14 pm
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There are several models, but on my Dropper the cable comes right out of the front of the post, and has to make a sharp bend to be affixed to the top tube.

Spin the post around so that the cable exit is at the rear. An easy fix though potentially subject to more mud-infestation...

The Gravity Dropper only stops at each end of the travel
...depends on the model. Mine's a 1" or 4" drop, though it is sometimes difficult to find the sweet-spot for the 1" drop.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 8:22 pm
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That's def one advantage of the i900 - you can stop it wherever you want on the 5" of travel 😛


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 8:41 pm
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repac rider try it with the cable the other way round if you routing is a pain . mine was and this way is much better
[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 28/01/2009 11:57 am
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Also, you will get several degrees of rotational movement with most seatposts of this type. Seems weird at first, but you dont really notice it when riding.

Not with the i900 that I've seen.

Hats off to Superstar - that was a nice product they picked up at Taiwan last year. They'll be some fighting over the new models at the end of March.


 
Posted : 28/01/2009 12:28 pm
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Hi
I recently purchased a Maverick remote version off here.
It does have float in the saddle but I dont notice it when riding and I have used a gravity dropper in the past which did this also. Overall fairly happy with it but I have a couple of issues/questions:
1.There seems to be a point where, if its clamped in the frame, it stops the saddle returning to full height almost as if it was nipping the inner and outer tubes together
2. Even if I get it set up properly before the ride there seems to be times when it still doesn't return to full height.

I took it to bits and it was fairly clean inside but I cleaned and re-greased it anyway but has anyone else experienced this.
Cheers
Steve


 
Posted : 28/01/2009 2:02 pm
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brant is that the i950 you are talking about or something else?


 
Posted : 28/01/2009 5:11 pm
 jonb
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will it come in 27.2mm Brant? Surely as most of your frames take that size post you'd have to?


 
Posted : 28/01/2009 5:20 pm
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i950 is the upgraded version of the i900 that is tested in the latest issue of Singletrack magazine.


 
Posted : 28/01/2009 11:06 pm
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Blimey just noticed the i950 has 175mm of travel!


 
Posted : 28/01/2009 11:12 pm
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Have the KS i900 - great piece of kit - smile every time I adjust the saddle - no more breaks in the ride to adjust saddle - no play whatsover and i weigh 15 stone


 
Posted : 28/01/2009 11:14 pm
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[url= http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/repackrider/avatar235.jp g" target="_blank">http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/repackrider/avatar235.jp g"/> [/IMG][/url]
[url= http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/mtbwelcome.htm ][b]2retro4u[/b][/url]
Marin County, Cali

Like I said, there are several models of Gravity Dropper, and this is the one I ended up with. As you can see, the routing is stupid, and turning the seat post around doesn't look like it would help. It looks like the cable is about to break off where it enters the seat post, and it looks like the mount could stab you in the leg. (It hasn't yet.)

[IMG] [/IMG]

______________________________________________________

[b][i]Orwell was a f#$king optimist.[/i][/b]


 
Posted : 29/01/2009 4:57 am

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