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The KS Suspension Dropzone Remote Seatpost has a silky smooth travel and enables you to find the perfect saddle position quickly and easily, thanks to its bar mounted remote. The Dropzone also benefits from KS Suspension’s all new self-adjusting DU Bushing that removes side-to-side play, a revised seal design, and open bath oil lubrication for enduring performance.
The included remote can be mounted on either side of the bar to suit your preference so you can react to the changes in the terrain, putting you in the perfect position for ultimate control and pedalling efficiency. Also, if you have ODI LOCK-ON™ grips, the Dropzone’s remote clamp can replace one of the grip’s lockrings for a clean look and ideal mounting position.
Features:
- Material: 7050 Forged Aluminium
- Travel: 75mm (300mm length), 100mm (350mm length), 125mm (385mm and 420mm lengths)
- Actuation: KG alloy remote with standard cable system
- Radical new remote lever design
- Head: 20mm offset
- Rail clamp: Single-bolt clamp for standard 7x7mm rails
- New improved DU bushing and open bath oil lubrication
- Weight: 522-603g (weight varies depending on length)
Ks Dropzone Review:
“I have been testing the KS Suspension Dropzone Remote Seatpost over the last few weeks and here are my thoughts and experiences. I have put it through it’s paces over some gnarly singletrack and forest tracks on both my 6.4kg ‘Trail’ full suspension Santa Fe and my 8.8kg Santa Cruz 5010 which makes for deciding what weight of rider you’d be. Both bikes accept the post, come factory fitted with KS components (ie the suspension) and weigh under 30lbs so you wouldn’t expect a lack of performance; especially as this KS uses a sealed bearing design rather than the more laborious maintenance that a traditional PP-R design would require.
Installation And Setup:
Undoubtedly the easiest insertion of a seatpost I have ever undertaken. Easily feeds into a normal 27.2mm seat tube (neon red to facilitate easy removal by bike store/repairers) and the clamp system very solid. The tool-less micro adjustment dial locks securely into position with a solid ‘click’ every 20mm, and it comes in at a very respectable 75mm out of the box. I have no experience of the Classic KS seatpost however this new Dropzone took literally 30 seconds to install and adjust.
No setup in the traditional sense is required, all that is required is to mount the remote and either attach a saddle to the clamp (not provided, but I’m sure you have one from your previous seatpost – or if you’re daring enough to use on of those ugly perch seats then look no further) and away you go! The main thing to remember is to tight the clamp to the seat tube. Now you could do this by sight but I’d recommend using a torque wrench to get it as tight as possible as the KS seatpost introduces a slight lateral flex when ridden resulting in added movement if not tight enough.
Ks Dropzone Review:
In Use:
The Dropzone’s newest claim to fame is the inclusion of a remote cable operated remote. However, KS made the wise decision not make the cable too short and so you are easy to get it to the position you want it in. The cable is housed in the stem of the Dropzone remote and you it feeds in through a top hole into the bar-mounted remote. This means that it can be used on either side of the bar, which is very handy as it means you can find the perfect position for the remote.
Pressing the remote it a simple 1-2-3 step process and the bar mount is very secure, non-invasive and comfortable. The actual movement in the post is a small (2-3mm) but it is smooth and mimics the post moving from full extension to full travel brilliantly. Matching this is the return to the start position. The return to the start position is nice and smooth and although nothing like a mechanical dropper, is deceptively close. However, to sum up the mechanical return in one word, I’m calling it silky!
Pros:
- Sealed bearings
- Rotary micro adjustment dial,
- Comfortable bar mount
Cons:
The 120mm drop post may not suit larger riders as fully forward position can place the rider too low, however, competitors like Fox have a post like this but without the Rotary adjustment dial to pick your optimal position.
A note for the keen reader: The KS Remote cable has no sag/play in it but the return to the start position on the post is noticeable and not quite as good as the Sram Reverb .
Overall:
A premium seatpost for an up-coming and boutique brand, however, the KS Suspension Dropzone Remote Seatpost brings a new level of finesse to the post market. As a hybrid dropper (post and cable operated) it is a brilliant example of how the two systems can be married rearward movement and automation with a simple yet effective cable system.
KS quality is also very clear to see and the new DU bushing is going to stand the test of time.
The Dropzone’s ultimate asset however is that it just works. I’ve ridden the post installed on my bikes for hundreds of miles and when in use it is noticeable that I can return it to the upright position quicker than many competing products. For example on the KS it is a 2 second process at the maximum, whereas on an equivalent product like the Reverb it takes around 4-5 seconds. Not that big of a deal on a flat section, but when a root or rock appears out of nowhere then a few seconds can spell the end of your journey or save you from an awkward situation.
Ks Dropzone Review:
It is a pleasure to use and the ability to find the best postion hassle free is top notch. The mounting system is spot on and I have had no problems with it moving or being knocked at all and the post still looks as good as new.
Price:
Selling for £300, the KS Dropzone seatpost is not cheap, however, it is a high quality and high performing product with elements of the latest technology.
Verdict:
As a hybrid dropper (post and cable operated) it is a brilliant example of how the two systems can be married in a clever manner. As a mechanical seatpost it still comes up short, but it is good nonetheless and is perhaps the only real thing that can rival the Reverb. All in all a great product from KS, I hope to see many more like this and I can’t wait to try out the 27.2 Satin Black version!
