Budget dropper posts

**jamesp** · 03-26-2013, 11:23 AM

well FWIW I just emailed GD & they said the new Turbo LP cable routing is clean. Designed so the mechanism faces backwards but the cable can be looped back to the top tube tight enough that the loop sticks out less than the mechanism on the Classic.

**t.odd** · 03-29-2013, 10:52 AM

my reign came with a Joplin, and while it's been away to warranty once, and general isn't the best, it's a lot better than a non-remote adjustable post, way better. Mine's only a 4" drop too and it's fine for the most part, if I'm dropping into something I know is steep and gnar I'll just drop the post a bit in the frame. It definitely has side to side play going on, but to be honest when you're riding you really don't notice it that much. Anyway, I'll probably upgrade to a reverb, but the lower end stuff is still usually better than not having one at all, imo.

**nickwm21** · 03-29-2013, 12:58 PM

I've put 700miles on a gd turbo. No issues....

sent from the future using my mind powers

**jamesp** · 04-11-2013, 08:48 AM

couple rides on the GD & I likey. Ended up with the 1" down & 4" down. Easy to find the 1" down position, & 4" down is enough for the riding I do. Cable is facing forward & is unobtrusive.

Only problem is I now need to get used to pedaling with my seat up at the right height, its a bit harder on the calves & a bit easier on the quads.

**scrublover** · 04-11-2013, 12:22 PM

Easy fix for cable and housing getting fucked up on the GD Turbo models - get a v-brake noodle, cut/file the nubbin end, bend to suit your needs. Done.

Hell, one of my local shops gave the thing to me. Works well, keeps the post end from getting bent out of whack, so you don't have to mess with new cable/housing, or keep bending the housing into shape when it gets fucked up and messes with the post actuation.

This GD post is around 7 years old, maybe even 8. The inner post broke about four years back. The old style. They sent me a new one, and a second new one for my other GD post that hadn't broken. The knob housing popped off the post once as well. Careful application of some JB-Weld took care of that.

Hmmmmm. Swapped on the alu top cap a few years ago when it was available, and have changed the slider/bushing things maybe three times over the years. That's it.

I've got two Reverbs on other bikes, and the above GD Turbo, as well as a nearly as old GD Descender on another bike. Love, love, love the Reverbs, but...they do take more upkeep than the GD. For pure ease of upkeep, purely great functionality, easy parts availability, dependability, decent weight and pricing, GD Turbo has everyone beat. Just my opinion, obviously.

**jamesp** · 04-11-2013, 06:20 PM

the cable is really flexy on the new GD's, no need for v brake bits. I could have pulled the cable even tighter but I left a bit of room for adjusting the height via the regular QR.

**rod9301** · 04-11-2013, 07:43 PM

I had two gd's, all mountain and dh bikes.

then I got an enduro with the command post. I love it.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using TGR Forums

**stuckathuntermtn** · 05-25-2013, 06:58 PM

Bump
Anyone running a HiLo? Any long term reports on the Lev? Any other good options in the 30.9 4-5" variety?

**dfinn** · 05-26-2013, 12:44 AM

Hilo SL here. Can't give a long term yet but so far love it.

**markcjr** · 05-26-2013, 04:58 AM

Seems like a nice new option;

http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/05/17/...pper-seatpost/

**Dromond** · 05-26-2013, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by markcjr

Seems like a nice new option;

http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/05/17/...pper-seatpost/

Why would you want a giant lever and have to press it 5 times to drop your post an inch? That is idiotic.

**grinch** · 05-27-2013, 12:27 AM

ya 5mm seems a little small for each click. but I think you can pull in more on the lever and it moves an infinite amount. seat clamp is atleast 2 bolt and the lever clamp looks sano. lever might be a bit big. don't think I want to guinea pig it. just ordered a gd . my 09 frame is 30.0

**jamesp** · 05-27-2013, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Dromond

Why would you want a giant lever and have to press it 5 times to drop your post an inch? That is idiotic.

1/2 inch / ~10mm drop per click sounds better on paper, but they say it can go down all the way if you pull the lever all the way in. Always good to see different options out there though, hopefully it works well in the real world.

**D(C)** · 05-27-2013, 09:16 AM

Can anyone tell if the post retracts as you pull the lever, or does it still rely on sitting on it to drop?

**shirk** · 05-27-2013, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by D(C)

Can anyone tell if the post retracts as you pull the lever, or does it still rely on sitting on it to drop?

You need to sit on it to activate the drop.

With a flick of the lever it activates the mechanism for the 5mm drop, or you can just pull it in and drop to any height (well any height in 5mm increments).

I have some friends involved with this, I've not played with one yet.

**Dromond** · 05-27-2013, 12:45 PM

99% of the time, when I push the lever on my Reverb I drop it the whole way. Occasionally I drop in just and inch or two. Dropping the saddle 5 or 10mm seems so miniscule. Perhaps it makes sense for winding, rolling old-school eastern style trails where you really need to be pedaling the whole time but need just a little bit of extra clearance for technical sections.

I've got the 125mm Reverb but would go 150mm if I had the option just for extra clearance on super steep sections. It all depends on where and how you ride I suppose.

**shirk** · 05-27-2013, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Dromond

It all depends on where and how you ride I suppose.

This does factor in. The guys that designed this ride eastern chunky singletrack on the Niagara Escarpment. Lots of ruff rocky flat sections where dropping 5-10mm makes sense instead of being at your full climbing position.

This little video shows what they intended.

**Dromond** · 05-27-2013, 01:01 PM

The graphic reminds me of the trails I grew up riding!

**LeeLau** · 05-27-2013, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by shirk

This does factor in. The guys that designed this ride eastern chunky singletrack on the Niagara Escarpment. Lots of ruff rocky flat sections where dropping 5-10mm makes sense instead of being at your full climbing position.

This little video shows what they intended.

I think this post makes sense for a lot of trails that people ride. If you need your posts slammed all the time then perhaps another post might be the trick

**shirk** · 05-27-2013, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by LeeLau

I think this post makes sense for a lot of trails that people ride. If you need your posts slammed all the time then perhaps another post might be the trick

Well this still slams all the way down also...

This post does spur me to find a way to try a similar lever for my GD, I kinda hate the regular GD switch/lever thing.

**scrublover** · 05-28-2013, 01:39 AM

Originally Posted by shirk

Well this still slams all the way down also...

This post does spur me to find a way to try a similar lever for my GD, I kinda hate the regular GD switch/lever thing.

Same - there are some threads/pics out there of some converted KS remote levers, though you have to come up with a way to clamp the cable end there. Obviously not insurmountable.

I'm wanting to do that for my hardtail GD post, but the price of that stupid little lever just to swap in is sorta' ridiculous.

I can see the utility of the 5mm increments with a half pull, or all the way down/somewhere in between with a full pull.

I'm rarely all the way slammed with my Reverb - usually it's between 3-4" down.

**Dantheman** · 11-26-2013, 03:10 PM

Update: Zero issues with my Contact Switch after a full season of heavy use.

**Pegleg** · 11-26-2013, 04:16 PM

I've had my KS eTen for a couple of months now, and have also had zero issues (though it's not a huge sample set, maybe 10 rides). For $125 brand new, I'm satisfied for sure.