KS LEV CI Dropper Seatpost: Rider Review

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

Inherently there is a little bit of a weight penalty when running a dropper seatpost. Now there is an alternative to running a heavy dropper post on your XC bike. Our friend Peter gives us the lowdown on the KS LEV CI Carbon Dropper Post. Check it out! 

Overview

This is the third KS LEV CI carbon dropper seatpost I have purchased from Worldwide Cyclery. All three functions flawlessly. The case for the weight penalty vs. performance advantage was settled on my very first ride with the dropper. The reason I purchased the LEV CIs is that I like climbing as well as DH. I go for lightweight. The older I get, the lighter I like my bikes. With the LEVs, there is a durability sacrifice that is worth it to me for the weight savings. From what I have read, I believe Jeff is correct in saying that the Fox Transfer is more durable, tho heavier. I don't mind doing some regular maintenance to save weight and besides, the LEV CI is available in 27.2 for my 2019 Santa Cruz Highball CC and 2014 Giant XTC Team 0 hardtails.

I purchased my first LEV CI eleven months ago in March 2019. In December 2019, I noticed several symmetrical vertical scratches on the stanchion tube (attached). I emailed KS. They responded that the seat posts need service every "3-6 months" to prevent the scratches and that the scratches were just cosmetic. The scratches can be felt by gliding a fingernail over them. So, it seems that they are a little more than cosmetic, though the post still works flawlessly. While servicing the post (KS provides several videos on how to service their products) the delicate Mast End Sleeve thread nipple broke off. I had to purchase a new MES for about $20. Be very careful when servicing the KS droppers. I enjoy working on my bikes, but the required service intervals for the LEV CI seem unusually frequent. The weather and trails where I live don't often get very muddy. Almost all my riding days are mudless. Some trails drain to no mud the next day after heavy rain, so the droppers hardly ever get dirty and I wipe the stanchions after most rides.

That said, the required service intervals should not have to be so frequent. Though the dropper seatposts do get a real workout when I ride because I change positions frequently. The most used position is about one to two inches below fully extended which is where the scratches are. If the post was either fully extended or fully collapsed all the time, the visible scratches wouldn't occur. The small 27.2 diameter probably also contributes to the scratches because there are fewer bearings in the clutch. That's a sacrifice inherent in the 27.2 which few manufacturers make. The installation of the LEV CI is easy. I used a vacuum cleaner to pull string thru the frame. Everything fell into place without any struggle at all. I also like the provided control lever that many riders replace with a lever that resides in the under-position where a front derailleur control would be. Once you get used to the standard control it works fine with very little effort.

Final Thoughts

Bottom line - I would still purchase the heavy maintenance (every 3-6 months) KS LEV CI over the Fox Transfer (recommended yearly maintenance) because of the weight savings of the KS. Other than that, the super lightweight Stan's Podium SRD wheels I also purchased from Worldwide Cyclery for my Santa Cruz Highball CC are outstanding! The acceleration advantage was instantly noticeable.