We tested these five Vario saddle supports for you - and here are the results:
Kind Shock LEV
Stroke: 100/125/150 mm - Diameter: 27,2/30,9/31,6/34,9 mm - Weight489 grammes (model 30.9/150 mm) - Price: 469 Euro - www.bike-parts.de
Kind Shock has been on the market with the LEV for as long as RockShox with the Reverb. The LEV is available with external or stealth cable routing and in various thicknesses and stroke variants. Installation is a little fiddly - the cable has to be snipped off with millimetre precision and the cable end has to be fiddly hooked in. The fully integrated version is a little easier. Once this is done, the LEV impresses with its smooth operation and almost backlash-free, stepless running. Peculiarity of the system: After a long period of use, it "rusts" in position and needs a hard push to work flawlessly again. The classic handlebar lever is ergonomic and small. The new lower link lever for 1x11 drivetrains comes close to Specialized's in terms of ergonomics, but is not completely twist-proof.
Vecnum Moveloc
Stroke: 140/170/200 mm - Diameter: 30.9 mm - Weight441 grams (model 30.9/140 mm) - Price: 369 Euro - www.vecnum.com
The Moveloc is available with an adjustment range of up to 200 millimetres, which gives it an exceptional position on the market. The mechanical cable comes off at the bottom of the dip tube. This is also where the unique "failsafe button" is located, which can be used to lower the seatpost even if the lever or cable is damaged. Just like Specialized, Vecnum also offers some setback and no stepless lowering, but a total of four positions a few centimetres apart. Installation is simple and perfectly explained in the enclosed booklet. The support works smoothly and without play. The extension speed is ideal. The function was faultless over the test period. In addition, the Vecnum is lighter than the competition and can be dismantled and maintained by hand without special tools. A perfect product!
Specialised Command Post Blacklite
Stroke: 75/100/125 mm - Diameter: 30.9/31.6 mm - Weight499 grammes (model 30.9/125 mm) - Price: 299 Euro - www.specialized.com
The head of the Command Post offers a few centimetres of setback. This makes sense with today's steep seat angles. Fitting the post is similarly fiddly as with Thomson: 17 millimetres of cable protrusion must be measured in the half-mounted state. Once this is done, the seat post works smoothly but not steplessly. This is not a problem during operation. All the way in, all the way out or lowered by 3 centimetres in the cruise position is completely sufficient. However, it is factory-filled with maximum pressure and pops up explosively. Installation tip: Park the seatpost in the cruise position and deflate it until it just extends. Then it is still very fast, but not dangerous. The standard lever is on a par with the competition; the new lever under the handlebars for 1x11 is one class more ergonomic than all the others.
Thomson Elite Covert Dropper
Stroke: 125 mm - Diameter: 27,2/30,9/31,6 mm - Weight506 grammes (model 30.9/125 mm) - Price: 429 Euro - www.bikethomson.com
The head and retractable part of the Elite dropper are similar to the rigid Elite classic - good. Pointless: The laser labelling of this support part with an equally unnecessary rubber ring for stroke measurement. This would have made more sense on the part in the frame. Installation is a little fiddly because the cable length needs to be measured precisely. Caution: If the sleeve is too short and comes under tension when the handlebars are turned, the support will extend by itself! The small handlebar lever is pleasantly shaped and easy to reach. The support is completely free of play and can be lowered continuously. Towards the end of the stroke, however, it becomes progressive and requires energetic pressure to retract completely, which takes some getting used to. Good: the extension speed. Top: the flawless function over the entire test period.
RockShox Reverb Stealth
Stroke: 125/150 mm - Diameter: 30.9/31.6 mm - Weight474 grammes (31.6/125 mm model) - Price: 409 Euro - www.sram.com
Probably the most frequently installed telescopic stabiliser on the market and the only one with hydraulic activation. This makes installation more complex because the system has to be bled like a brake. And it only extends quickly enough if the bleeding is perfect. The Reverb can be lowered continuously and has virtually no play at the head. If the lever is mounted under the handlebars, the ergonomics are good. However, this is only possible with 1x11 gears. You have to lift your thumb high above the handlebars. The Reverb suffers a little from series dispersion. Either it works perfectly and flawlessly, or it gets on your nerves by leaking and dropping over the first 2 centimetres. One of our three test props had such a defect. If you are spared this, the Reverb is a very good product.
FREERIDE RANKING: The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression of the testers and is not an addition of function and assembly points.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
