Some claim that the Vario support is the biggest innovation in mountain biking in the last 10 years. We don't want to be without it either. Five seatposts in the check:
Easton Haven
Technologyhydraulic, stepless
Weight limit: none
Weight: 591 g (150 mm)
Price480 Euro
Info
www.eastoncycling.com
Top: The Easton Haven shines with a great function. Easton and Race Face are identical: they utilise the technology of the 9Point8, but use their own post head and lever. The Easton lever is compact and easy to operate. Only the mounting is limited: You can only mount the lever on one side of the handlebars at the bottom. Annoying: The clamping screws eat into the aluminium.
ConclusionThe Easton works great. Small weaknesses cost the top marks.
Function 6 out of 6 points
Operation 4 out of 6 points
FREERIDE judgement 9.5 out of 10 points
Giant Contact SL Switch (FREERIDE tip: price/performance)
Technologyhydraulic, stepless
Weight limit: none
Weight: 666 g (150 mm)
Price: 230 Euro
Info
www.giant-bicycles.com
No dropper post is as affordable as the Giant - which is why the Contact SL Switch gets our FREERIDE tip: price/performance. Although the post is the heaviest in the test field, it impresses with its smooth operation and ergonomic lever. Points were deducted for vertical play on our test model. When you sit on the saddle, the seat post jerks down a little - which is annoying and rattles on top of that.
Conclusion: Good vario support with top lever, but small weaknesses in function.
Function 4 out of 6 points
Operation 6 out of 6 points
FREERIDE judgement 9 out of 10 points
Kindshock Integra
Technologyhydraulic, stepless
Weight limit: 90 kg
Weight: 504 g (150 mm)
Price: 419 Euro
Info
www.kssuspension.com
The Kindshock scores points for its low operating forces - the ergonomic lever is easy to squeeze and the saddle moves up and down smoothly. However, it doesn't always work. In lowered mode, the Integra often got stuck. The cable routing must not be pinched, otherwise it gets stuck. The weight limit of 90 kilos is also restrictive and costs points. Good: Available in four diameters.
ConclusionGood vario support. Weaknesses in the practical test cost function points.
Function 2 of 6 points
Operation 6 out of 6 points
FREERIDE judgement 8.5 out of 10 points
Magura Vyron
Technologyhydraulic, stepless
Weight limit: 120 kg
Weight: 592 g (150 mm)
Price: 400 Euro
Info
www.magura.de
A world first: instead of transmitting commands via a cable laid in the frame, the Vyron sends radio signals to the hydraulics - wirelessly. This works reliably, but is too slow overall. If you press the button on the handlebars, it takes a moment for the servomotor to regulate the valve - too long! The control button is not very well defined. On the other hand, the installation is similar to a normal seat post: simply insert it into the seat tube.
ConclusionInnovative Vario support with radio instead of cable. Not yet fully developed.
Function 2 of 6 points
Operation 2 out of 6 points
FREERIDE judgement 7.5 out of 10 points
RockShox Reverb Stealth
Technologyhydraulic, stepless
Weight limit: none
Weight: 620 g (150 mm)
Price: 491 Euro
Info www.sram.de
The Reverb is the most widely installed dropper post on the market. We are also fans, although we are aware of the problem of series variation: Some of them work forever, others don't. The post with the comfortable push button worked reliably for us. The wide clamp makes it difficult to position the lever on non-SRAM brakes. Installation is a little tricky (needs to be de-aerated).
ConclusionThe bestseller works reliably and is pleasant to handle.
Function 5 out of 6 points
Operation 4 out of 6 points
FREERIDE judgement 9.5 out of 10 points
FREERIDE RANKING: The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the testers.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
