Review

The Lab | KindShock LEV Integra 150mm Dropper Post

27.07.2015
by

Anyone with a dropper post inevitably knows that the RockShox Reverb is the king on the market, offering some serious backbone to your…backbone, but with a number of manufacturer’s entering the market, could its days be numbered? From ‘The Lab’ in Issue #016, Jim long term tested the KS Lev Integra 150mm Dropper Post. How did it fare? Just read on…

The KindShock LEV Integra 150mm dropper post
The KindShock LEV Integra 150mm dropper post retails for €450, but does it rival the king of the drops?

KS seem to be making waves in the dropper seatpost world, offering a real variety of models for many diameters of seatposts. We kitted out our UK test rider Jim Buchanan with the 150mm dropper version; Jim’s not known for his gentle riding and patience with the more delicate of products, and he’s been putting this model through its paces over the last six months.

This internally routed cable­ (not fluid) operated dropper post really is a choice of the modern-day enduro racer. The 150mm drop is perfect for those more modern low­slung frames, and the easy­to­replace cable is an option far more suited for racing and quicker maintenance. Upon fitting the cable, Jim found cutting the cable and feeding the right amount of inner/outer through a bit on the tricky side for the first time, but after the second fit it really did get easier and far more home­fit friendly (without, of course, ever needing a bleed). The infinite adjustment from the Lev is also so much better than a manufacturer telling the rider which positions the seat should be stopped in.

"The 150mm drop is perfect for those more modern low­slung frames, and the easy­to­replace cable is an option far more suited for racing and quicker maintenance."
“The 150mm drop is perfect for those more modern low­slung frames, and the easy­to­replace cable is an option far more suited for racing and quicker maintenance.”
"Although the feel, adjustability, and design of the Lefty lever is spot­on, the grip of the clamp, however, is not – with a smooth inner surface and the clamp being split completely down the middle, it has no grip on a set of carbon bars."
“Although the feel, adjustability, and design of the Lefty lever is spot­on, the grip of the clamp, however, is not – with a smooth inner surface and the clamp being split completely down the middle, it has no grip on a set of carbon bars.”

Although the feel, adjustability, and design of the Lefty lever is spot­on, the grip of the clamp, however, is not – with a smooth inner surface and the clamp being split completely down the middle, it has no grip on a set of carbon bars. Jim tried with carbon gripper paste to no avail and ended up opting for good old insulation tape to cure the problem; hopefully there will soon be a Mark 2 version of the Lefty clamp!

"The infinite adjustment from the Lev is also so much better than a manufacturer telling the rider which positions the seat should be stopped in."
“The infinite adjustment from the Lev is also so much better than a manufacturer telling the rider which positions the seat should be stopped in.”

Tester: Jim Buchanan
Price: €450
Weight: 635g
Duration of test: Four months

For more info, visit: kssuspension.com

Words & Photos: Jim Buchanan

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.

You may also like