KS ETen dropper... anyone using them?

[Pegleg]

Been looking for a dropper post that won't break the bank, and the KS ETen is available new for $125. Given that it's from the same company that does the LEV, I'm assuming the engineering is solid and the primary penalties are just weight and options (it's only available in 100mm drop, and only for 30.9 or 31.6 diameters). Initial reviews were solid but I haven't heard much in the way of long-term reports. Anyone been using one for a while and have an opinion? Would prefer 125mm drop, but I'm not willing to pay 3X the price to get another 25mm if all else is more or less equal.

[smmokan]

http://forums.mtbr.com/all-mountain/ks-eten-852410.html

I didn't know there was a "budget" option for dropper posts. Sounds like the eTen is a solid performer.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Where can you get one for $125?
Single-bolt seat clamp and weighs about 2lbs. Hm....

[Pegleg]

Where can you get one for $125?
Single-bolt seat clamp and weighs about 2lbs. Hm....

https://www.outsideoutfitters.com/p-...-seatpost.aspx

[RegCT]

What's the point of a dropper post anyway

[Pegleg]

http://forums.mtbr.com/all-mountain/ks-eten-852410.html

I didn't know there was a "budget" option for dropper posts. Sounds like the eTen is a solid performer.

Thanks, I checked MTBR but somehow missed that thread. Sounds like the same amount and kind of complaints you hear about any of the droppers, so no red flags for me (unlike the Joplin thread over there - that one scared me off of CB products generally). I'm pulling the trigger, will report back once I get a few rides on it.

[Sinfield]

I've had mine for about two months now. Probably 3ish rides per week and no problems. Sometimes it doesn't click the last 3mm into full ext unless you pump it once or twice, but that is really a non issue. I've not had any experience with other droppers, but for the price, I think it's pretty hard to beat.

[frorider]

Consider buying a used Reverb or Lev. Rebuilds aren't difficult or expensive. Unless you're pretty short, I'm not sure 100 mm is worth the weight and expense.

I paid $300 for my first reverb at LBS, and another LBS has the lev for $300 installed. You can get a truly good post used for 150-200. Just throwing this out there.

[D(C)]

Consider buying a used Reverb or Lev. Rebuilds aren't difficult or expensive. Unless you're pretty short, I'm not sure 100 mm is worth the weight and expense.

I paid $300 for my first reverb at LBS, and another LBS has the lev for $300 installed. You can get a truly good post used for 150-200. Just throwing this out there.

I've used a couple Giant bikes with 4" drop and I found it to be plenty. If you're running a QR it's easy enough to slam the seat on really steep stuff. But I never found that necessary. It's mostly on jumps where I wished the seat was lower. The seat would often tap me in the bum off a lip.

[Pegleg]

Consider buying a used Reverb or Lev. Rebuilds aren't difficult or expensive. Unless you're pretty short, I'm not sure 100 mm is worth the weight and expense.

I paid $300 for my first reverb at LBS, and another LBS has the lev for $300 installed. You can get a truly good post used for 150-200. Just throwing this out there.

The bike I just demoed had a Reverb 125MM dropper, and that seemed like more than enough. I can't imagine the extra 25mm drop making that much of a difference. If I'm wrong, then I'll sell the ETen and get something else (though I'll probably be selling the bike within a year or so, so I could probably just wait until then).

I've also kept my eyes out and haven't seen any Levs for under $250 used or any Reverbs for under $200 (though admittedly, I'm not scouring the interwebs - mostly occasional Craigslist and Ebay searches, plus here). Where are you seeing these used Levs and Reverbs for $150-200?

[frorider]

I didn't say I saw used Levs under $200...but if a bike shop is selling them for $300, do the math.

About a week ago on this very forum a used reverb was for sale, so I bought it as an extra. With an MRP taco chain guide included, I paid 220 shipped. New reverb prices online have been as low as the $290-300 range, although I've seen deals on them a little cheaper than that.

[Sinfield]

After further review, def drop the extra 180 bucks for a LEV or a reverb so you can get TGR e-cred. Also make sure it drops at least 7" for all the 70 deg rock rollers and huge moto whips you'll be throwing with said e-cred...

...I'll probably get blasted for this, but one of my favorite positions to put my dropper isn't full down, but instead like an inch or so below full extension for flowy, pedally trails. Sure I drop it all the way for jump lines, but I think that the most useful setting is at a moderate drop. And I've never felt like the e-ten didn't go low enough.

[Pegleg]

I didn't say I saw used Levs under $200...but if a bike shop is selling them for $300, do the math.

About a week ago on this very forum a used reverb was for sale, so I bought it as an extra. With an MRP taco chain guide included, I paid 220 shipped. New reverb prices online have been as low as the $290-300 range, although I've seen deals on them a little cheaper than that.

I haven't seen any bike shops selling Levs (125 or 150mm versions) for under $350. And when I've seen them coming up used, people are asking $300 or so for them. (Marshal put one up a couple of weeks ago for $250 but I was too late on it - that's the only one I've seen.) I saw that Reverb here as well, but it was gone as soon as I saw it - I guess I have you to thank for that. But really, there aren't many of them out there used for any kind of significant discount that I can find.

[beaterdit]

My two cents:

The Lev is in a different category price and performance wise with the fixed cable mounting. Unless you have stealth routing for the Reverb, I'd say the KS I950/Supernatural is the clear winner. Cheaper, more reliable, and rebuildable at home. Whether you go for five or six inches (or less), it's DEFINITELY worth to spring for the remote. I initially bought the non-remote version and ended up buying the remote kit later. Having a remote over a lever operated takes the dropper from 'pretty neat' to indispensable.

I bought my 125mm I950 without remote for $195 four years ago from Outside Outfitters (linked above). I've rebuilt it and changed the oil once in that time and it works better than ever. I guess the 125mm isn't in stock but it looks like the 150mm with remote is, in 31.6, for $212. Basically the same price if you consider the addition of the remote.

BTW, single-bolt seat clamps really suck. Generally creaky, hard to adjust, and prone to breakage. This is also worth the upgrade IMO.

[Pegleg]

Just installed my eten. So far, so good - works like a charm (though they don't include instructions for how to connect and adjust the cable, which is odd - it's easy enough to figure out, but strange that the instructions don't even mention that part).

I can see how having another inch or two of drop would be nice, but I don't think it's worth the extra $$$ to me right now. Performance is perfect so far - action is quick, it drops and extends right on cue. I like the bar remote WAY better than the Reverb remote (which is too tall for me - hard to find it with your thumb when you're focusing on the trail and not looking at it, while the eten remote sits right next to the shifter at the same height and is a no-brainer to quickly hit).

I saw some issues that users have reported on MTBR with time, but the same is true of every other dropper so that doesn't seem to be a reason to prefer one over the other. So far, unless you need more drop, the eten seems like the clear winner on value to me.

[smmokan]

Bump... if you use the code "SAVE15", you can get the new remote-actuated (not the lever) eTen dropper post for $118 shipped from ArtsCyclery.com. I just picked one up, can't beat the price!

[Pegleg]

Nice. So far no complaints on my eTen. It reliably does what it's supposed to do, which is really all I ask. In a perfect world I'd spring for 125 or 150mm of drop - I can see that it would be better - but the difference isn't worth doubling the price IMHO.

[Spats]

Someday someone will explain to me why anyone buys anything but a Gravity Dropper.

* Cable routing that goes into the post, not up and down with the seat
* Two-bolt seat clamp
* Whatever combination of drops you want
* No pneumatics or hydraulics to leak, sink, stick, break, or otherwise die. Seriously: I have not yet met ONE SINGLE PERSON with a KS/Joplin/Kronolog/whatever whose post hasn't been out for warranty at least once
* Doesn't break all the friggin' time
* Totally rebuildable if it does and an easy fix
* Made in the USA

Seriously: can someone explain? The ETen is at least cheap, so I get that -- but I don't understand the bicycle community's inexhaustible appetite for things that break all the time and are actually worse than currently available options.

[radam]

Question for anyone who picked up the eTen... could you measurement the distance from the collar to the bottom of the post? I'm trying to figure out if my seat tube is long enough to fully fit the post so I can run my saddle slammed occasionally. thanks!

[smmokan]

Radam- from the bottom of the collar to the bottom of the post is 8-5/8".

I've used mine a few times for 10-12 mile rides and it has worked flawlessly (knock on wood).

[radam]

Radam- from the bottom of the collar to the bottom of the post is 8-5/8".

I've used mine a few times for 10-12 mile rides and it has worked flawlessly (knock on wood).

Thanks! I'll be able to get about 20mm away from fully slammed, which is close enough for my needs. Just ordered one form Arts...found a 20% off coupon even (meetup20), so it worked out to ~$111 shipped. Stoked!

[D(C)]

I just ordered one of these for my Kona Taro to go along with the functional/good value theme of the bike.

How noticeable is the setback coming from a straight post?

[smmokan]

Not noticeable... Just bump the seat up a little in the clamp.

I've used mine a dozen times now and it works great. The only thing I noticed is when I get the bike muddy, I have to make sure to clean out the area where the cable actuates under the saddle. It can get a little gunky and slow the seat down from returning to its upright position. Not a big deal though, considering.

[jm2e]

That sounds more consistent with all the KS remote posts. Certainly the case with the Supernatural. Get a fender.

[D(C)]

I went out for my first ride on my ETen. Compared to the Reverb on my other bike, it is definitely an inferior product but if it's reliable, it's worth the $111 I paid.

I'm getting a couple mm of sag when sitting on the post at full extension. It creates a noticeable clunk as it settles and I notice it while riding. I tried detaching the cable to see if it might be an issue with cable being too tight and the clunk is still there. Does anyone else have this issue?

Also, the post is very sensitive to the amount of slack in the housing. If the housing is pulled too tight or fed too loose, the added friction on the cable creates clamping issues. I was losing height while climbing until I figured out that the housing tension needs to be just right.

Otherwise, the post goes up and down as advertised. I really like the lever design, definitely more ergonomic than that of the Reverb. The head is single-bolt which makes adjusting the angle more tedious than a 2 bolt design, but I noticed no play or creaking. Overall, this post seems like a good buy for $111 but I'd recommend shelling out for a Reverb if doing so is within the budget.

The post is a good match for my Taro: