The telescopic seatpost has been hyped as one of the biggest innovations in mountain biking since its market launch in 2004. And rightly so, because hardly any other component offers more advantages in technically demanding terrain. In the past, you had to dismount before steep descents; today, the handlebar remote takes care of this while riding. On an e-mountainbike, the telescopic support makes double sense: because steep sections and steps can now also be ridden uphill.
The eight models in our test offer 120 to 170 millimetres of travel. Tall riders will be particularly pleased with the high-lift seatposts, while shorter riders should make sure that the correct seat height can still be set when extended. The Rockshox Reverb with its hydraulic lever has established itself as the undisputed top dog in recent years. Even though the Reverb got a new inner workings and a new lever in 2017, the air is getting thinner and thinner for the market leader because the competition never sleeps. Fox's new Transfer is a top-class dropper post, Kindshock offers an equivalent product for significantly less money and the young company Bikeyoke impresses with an innovative quick venting system for the internal cartridge. This should make servicing by the manufacturer superfluous.
You will find these 8 lowerable seat posts for E-MTBs in the test
- Bikeyoke Revive 160
- Crankbrothers Highline
- Fox Transfer Factory S. (EMTB-TIP: Test winner)
- Kindshock Lev Integra
- Pro Koryak (EMTB TIP: Price / Performance)
- Raceface Turbine Dropper
- Rockshox Reverb Stealth
- Yep Components Uptimiser 2.0
FUNCTION:
Telescopic stabilisers have a reputation for being prone to defects, but the 2017 model proved to be very reliable during our test. In addition to the susceptibility to defects, the criteria of saddle play, extension speed, locking when lifting as well as the operating force and ergonomics of the lever are included in the evaluation of the function. The Fox and Bikeyoke seatposts performed best here, but all other seatposts also functioned at a very high level.
ASSEMBLY:
If you want to retrofit a dropper post, you should first find out whether your E-MTB is suitable for an internally routed cable (stealth post). If not, Fox, Kindshock, Rockshox and Yep Components also offer versions with external cable routing. All of the models we tested are internally routed. Posts that scored five points in the assembly assessment criterion are particularly easy to retrofit and do not require any special tools.
THE TEST RESULTS
Bikeyoke Revive 160
Price 369 Euro
Info www.bikeyoke.com
Weight 636 g
Stroke 125 / 160 mm
Diameter 30,9 / 31.6 mm
CONCLUSION The trigger lever can be combined with both Shimano and Sram brakes using an adapter. If the saddle is loaded, the lever has an increased breakaway force. The lever ergonomics and function of the Bikeyoke Revive are impeccable. The low head makes the Revive interesting for smaller riders too. Clever detail: A quick bleed of the cartridge simplifies maintenance.
Function 4.5 out of 5 points
Assembly 4 out of 5 points
EMTB JUDGEMENT* SUPER
Crankbrothers Highline
Price 350 Euro
Info www.crankbrothers.com
Weight 639 g
Stroke 100 / 125 / 160 mm
Diameter 30,9 / 31,6 mm
CONCLUSION The lever of the new Highline dropper post from Crankbrothers is universally adjustable thanks to the ball head adjustment and is therefore very easy to reach. However, the pressure point is rather undefined. The extension speed is somewhat slow and cannot be adjusted due to the closed cartridge. The post has little saddle play and can be removed without tools.
Function 3 out of 5 points
Assembly 4 out of 5 points
EMTB JUDGEMENT* VERY GOOD
Fox Transfer Factory Seatpost
Price 448 Euro
Info www.ridefox.com
Weight 598 g
Stroke 100 / 125 / 150 mm
Diameter 30,9 / 31,6 mm
CONCLUSION The new Fox Transfer leaves nothing to be desired. The lever presses smoothly and the extension speed is perfect. A clicking sound lets you know when the saddle has reached its final position. The trigger lever with mounting position below the Bosch control unit is interesting for e-bikers. Both levers have some play.
Function 5 out of 5 points
Assembly 4 out of 5 points
EMTB JUDGEMENT* SUPER
Kindshock Lev Integra
Price 369 Euro
Info www.kssuspension.com
Weight 606 g
Stroke 65-175 mm
Diameter 27,2 / 30,9 / 31.6 mm
CONCLUSION Measured by its 175 millimetre stroke, the Kindshock Lev is particularly light. The compact lever can even be mounted between the handlebar grip and brake lever and requires little operating force. Our test model had no caliper play whatsoever and functioned inconspicuously. Also available for 27.2 millimetre diameters in 65 and 100 millimetre strokes.
Function 4 out of 5 points
Assembly 4 out of 5 points
EMTB JUDGEMENT* SUPER
Per Koryak
Price 220 Euro
Info www.pro-bikegear.com
Weight 625 g
Stroke 120 mm
Diameter 30,9 / 31.6 mm
CONCLUSION In reality, only 116 millimetres of the stated 120 millimetres of travel remain. However, this is still enough for small and experienced riders. The operating forces of the Pro Koryak on the lever are low, but the mechanical adjustment is not quite as smooth as with the other supports. For 220 euros, the Koryak is a good alternative for those with a less bulging wallet.
Function 4.5 out of 5 points
Assembly 3.5 out of 5 points
EMTB JUDGEMENT* VERY GOOD
Race Face Turbine Dropper
Price 399 Euro
Info www.raceface.com
Weight 606 g
Stroke 100 / 125 / 150 mm
Diameter 30,9 / 31.6 mm
CONCLUSION The Race Face Turbine is identical to the 9Point8 Fall Line (not in the test) apart from the head and lever, but is significantly cheaper due to its production in Asia. Instead of the specified 150 millimetre stroke, we only measured 145 millimetres. Instead of the large original rocker arm, you can also retrofit a trigger lever (green) for single shifting. Complicated assembly
Function 4 out of 5 points
Assembly 1 out of 5 points
EMTB JUDGEMENT* VERY GOOD
Rock Shox Reverb Stealth
Price 445 Euro
Info www.sram.com
Weight 645 g
Stroke 100-170 mm
Diameter 30,9 / 31.6 mm
CONCLUSION The new trigger lever for single shifting is much easier to reach than the old push button, but still has high operating forces, despite the hydraulic cable. The Rock Shox Reverb Stealth is still available with both levers and can be perfectly combined with Sram brakes. Bleeding the line makes installation time-consuming and usually requires a specialist.
Function 3.5 out of 5 points
Assembly 1 out of 5 points
EMTB SHARE*
VERY GOOD
Yep Components Uptimiser 2.0
Price 380 Euro
Info www.yepcomponents.com
Weight 618 g
Stroke 100 / 125 / 155 mm
Diameter 30,9 / 31.6 mm
CONCLUSION The lever of the Yep Components Uptimiser can be moved in all directions using the joystick, but the pressure is somewhat undefined. In addition, the coating on the lever wears off after a short time. The support itself works well, but only has a slight locking mechanism when retracted. The Uptimizer is also available with an external cable and in a variety of colour combinations.
Function 2 out of 5 points
Assembly 3.5 out of 5 points
EMTB JUDGEMENT* GOOD
*The final judgement is made up of the criteria function, assembly, stroke and weight. Bolded data for stroke and diameter: This is how we tested the dropper seatposts.
