The KS LEV is the godfather of dropper seat posts. There since the beginning, KS’ designs have evolved into a range offering posts for all budgets and expectations. How does the budget KS LEV Si perform on the trail?
Here you’ll find an overview of the best mountain bike dropper posts in review.
The KS LEV Si represents the company’s affordable offering with 65, 75, 100, 120, 125, 150 and 170 mm drops available. Doing without the KS-patented roller-clutch bearing in the collar found on the more expensive models, it runs on an air-sprung sealed cartridge which is not serviceable by the home user. Installation of the basic KS LEV Si is simple. However it does take a little longer to get the cable length correct as the adjustment is done at the post end, not the lever. The simple twin-bolt, micro-adjust head is basic, lacking any graduated adjustment marks, so you have to make adjustments based on feel. What we do like is that the stack height of the post (height of collar and seat clamp) is low at 50 mm, making this the perfect post for those who are struggling to fit a dropper post into a frame with a high seat tube.
Uncommonly for a ‘budget’ post, the main bushing seems smooth and we could not induce any binding operating it from different angles.
| Post | Price | Total length1 | Max insertion2 | Ride height3 | Stack height4 | Travel [mm] | Weight (incl. remote) | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KS LEV Si | € 260/€ 39 | 500 mm | 275 mm | 200 mm | 50 mm | 65 – 75 – 100 – 125 – 150 – 175 | 589 g | Cable |
The supplied bar-mounted remote is clean and compact but is hard to locate intuitively and stiff in use – we would always recommend the optional Southpaw remote when using KS posts as the ergonomics are much better. The action of the post is very damped and smooth and we found it better to run the maximum pressure in the adjustable air spring for a faster return speed. The post is so well damped that it completely silent when it hits full extension, polarising some of our testers looking for more audible feedback. On the trail, the post performed as it should, punching above its price tag, without any discernible lateral play.
While the overall design and aesthetic of the post scream affordable, we had no complaints at all with the performance. It proved to be a fit-and-forget component and never faltered throughout our test. The KS LEV Si post is sure to be fitted to many bikes at OEM level, which is good as it’s a very good post. However, to get the best operation it needs to be paired with the optional Southpaw remote, which at a further €45, makes the KS LEV Si look less of a bargain. It’s only the advent of a new breed of posts like the OneUp V2 which boast an equally appealing price tag, but with more features and an improved aesthetic, that take the shine off the KS LEV Si. Overall, that doesn’t detract from the fact that it does all you need from a dropper post and with a very low insertion depth.
Conclusion
The KS LEV Si has a great price, great performance, low stack height and low insertion depth. It would make a great upgrade for someone looking to get their first dropper post, or upgrading a shorter post. Only the basic features let it down.
Tops
- fit-and-forget post
- low stack height and insertion depth
Flops
- needs the upgraded remote
- functional but not elegant
For more info head to: kssuspension.com
Here you’ll find an overview of the best mountain bike dropper posts in review.
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