The new i950 is a revolutionary new seatpost that offers “on the fly” adjustment without the need for tools.
The i950 utilizes a new patent-pending bushing design that self-adjusts, which greatly improves function and virtually eliminates unwanted side-play. With the new KS i950, optimal seat height and performance is just a levers touch away.
Submitted by
Serfsale
a Weekend Warrior
from Dana Point, CA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2012
Strengths: So much fun. Takes you to another level in your riding style. Beefy construction, Feels strong, Looks Great, So far works perfect (1 ride).
Weaknesses: Saddle Mounting - Really are you guys Mtn Bikers??? Come on now you can do better than what is on it currently.
Bottom Line:
Ok all bikes should have this PERIOD. Yes the price is steep but so much fun. had a Coilair then it got jacked from hB and sold on Craigslist (if you know anyone riding around with a green moster that has scratches on the top tube, it was stolen) ok back to my story. I got the Remedy 8 and wow same travel just so much more enjoyable to ride. Well guess what IT JUST GOT BETTER!!!! Sure I have heard all the stories and honsetly I wanted to wait for prices to go way down. I had a store credit and bit the bullet. So glad I did. I did get the none remote but after my 1st ride I ordered the remote, reason was going downhill I knew I needed to lower but as soon as I was going to take my hand off the bar to reach under my saddle it got steep and bumpy so I had to slow down (pointless). Get the remote and you will not have to think ahead. Okay got 3 more rides this week if anything happens I will write more. If it stays statis quo then this is my post. I am a Clydesdale 6'2 260lbs lets see if I can break it.
Similar Products Used: None. Looked and read all of the other reviews and was told to wait for the fox????
Bike Setup: Stock 2010 Remedy 8
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Submitted by
schnee
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View, CA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2012
Strengths: - Side to side play? What?
- Reliable
- Cable is long enough for an XL bike
- Doesn't creak
Weaknesses: - Trigger setup requires some acrobatics with brakes, shifters
Bottom Line:
I got this because it was as reliable as most dropper posts and had the least reported side-to-side play. I can vouch; this thing doesn't have any wiggle that you can feel while riding at all.
If I don't ride for a while, then I need to 'bump' it from the top a few times before it just starts going down smoothly under weight. It springs back up smoothly and not to quickly (lol).
The only annoyance was setup; to put this on my bars between my brake and shifter I had to unbolt the shifter because the shifter levers were right in the way. Super minor.
Bike Setup: Niner Rip9 with a generally burly all-mountain setup
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Submitted by
simoncmtb
a Weekend Warrior
from napier newzealand
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2011
Weaknesses: seatpost at present isnt staying in position when riding
Bottom Line:
has anyone with the KS1950r seatpost had issues with the seat not staying up? i have only had the 1 test ride and the seatpost is now back @ the shop being tested. after putting the seatpost to its maximum height then proceeding to ride it would gradually go down. i am 76kg so i dont think its a weight problem. possibly oil/air ,hopefully it is a simple fix, as other than that it seems to be a really good product.
Strengths: What a dropper can do for your riding is undeniable. But for this particular product, there isn't a lot going for it...my experience w/ everything from the product itself, mfg support, and the vendor has left a teaspoon of kitty-litter taste in my mouth.
Weaknesses: I'm suspecting there are two crews who make these things...one crew w/ experience w/ mfg tolerances to engineering specs, and another that treats things with, "close enough" attitude. By close enough, I'm referring to the response of mfg support's (Rick Taylor) to my 1/16" vertical play and the associated "clunk" as seal seat-in, or the play of the seal w/in its carriage to cause play. Rick, in any other industry this is called not meeting tolerances.
Bottom Line:
The 1/16" vertical play was notice on first install and after a car park test ride. Upon this discovery, the post was removed to make sure everything was secure and nothing was loose out of the box. I found tool marks on the base spanner plate and nut. I immediately contacted OutsideOutfitters for a RMA, citing the play and the tool marks. No response for two days...so I called. They refuse to issue a RMA citing they don't take returns of, "used or installed parts." I don't know if it's too much to expect a 100% working part out of the box, but am I expected to perform a full product test prior to installing the post?
So, despite OutsideOutfitters having one of the best prices on the 'Net for bike parts, I will not buy from them in the future...purely because of their unreasonable return policy.
Upon the DENIAL of return by OutsideOutfitters, I sent ($13.30 USPS) to post back to KS support (Rick). Keep in mind this post has not seen dirt yet. KS replaced the cartridge and claimed they tested the post and it was 100% repaired. When I received it, I did do a test for the play and lo' and behold, NOT FIXED. Tried contacting OutsideOutfitters again to the same results...no returns on installed/used items. After some discussion w/ Rick at KS, I asked if he could replace the parts that need to be swapped w/ bits from an older production run as my riding buddy's older i950 has absolutely NO play. Another $13.30 and off to KS again, still a dirt virgin. When returned, STILL NOT FIXED, followed by a comment by Rick of, "seal seat-in." I finally took the post out for a ride to see if I can live w/ the clunk...and no. Every time the post is unloaded, then loaded w/ my weight (187.5lbs), there's an audible and tactile "clunk".
So at this point, I have filed a charge dispute on a defective product w/ my credit card company. I would also ADVISE highly AGAINST buying KS PRODUCTS, and ESPECIALLY from OutsideOutfitters.com for their unreasonable return policy. I'm 2 warranty services into this post before its first ride, and it's still no working properly, and the vendor refuses to swap me for another. NICE!
FYI, I'm a former shop mech who builds his own bikes from rims and spokes up.
Submitted by
mwarrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2011
Strengths: Infinitely adjustable. Smooth operation. Ease of use. Looks bling with red accents. 5" adjustable travel. Very little side to side play.
Weaknesses: Uses a 1.5 mm wrench to tighten cable housing under seat. Most bike tool kits only go down to 2mm. I had to run up to the hardware store to buy one. No biggie, but come on!
Bottom Line:
I bought the remote version. Installed on right hand side. The remote and post are both bling-bling and well made. All cables are pre-cut and measured perfectly. I'm 6'2" and have a large frame and am glad I could buy the 31.6 mm which is 385 mm long. With the seat where I like it, I'm just over the mimimum line. (About 3/8 inch). I trust that won't be a problem. All I can say after one ride is WOW! There is this nasty big rock roll where I ride that alway psyches me out. Right before I approached the rock, I pushed the remote and sat the seat down about 3 inches and rolled over it with complete confidence! Once clear of the rock, I flicked the remote and seat returned to max height (but not too quick - that could hurt!). I'm very pleased. One of the best parts I've purchased. I did a lot of research and read all the reviews. This one is a keeper and works flawlessly. No regrets!
Submitted by
CanyunRider
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2010
Strengths: This is for the i950 Remote. Infinite travel, sturdy (no side play), fast action. Remote fits over ODI grip. Comes with easy to follow service instructions.
Weaknesses: A little heavy, but weight penalty is well worth the convenience and fun factor. Had a little creeping up issue but no biggee and hear it's easy to fix. And not cheap... but again, fun outweighs price. Company has been hard pressed to keep up with demand.
Bottom Line:
Jokingly asked the wife for one as a birhtday present, thinking she knew I originally thought it was too "gadgety". Little did I know she ordered one. While she was waiting for it to arrive, I heard from several friends how much they liked the concept and how much better the KS was over the competitors. When it arrived, I was a little reluctant to install it, what with the weight and extra control, etc. Then I went and rode with it... it will come off my bike over my dead body!
I teach a New Rider MTB class, and am constantly stressing to students to get their weight back and low, and I make a QR seat post clamp a must. Now they all want a KS!
Another added benefit: my low back is toast and climbing uber steep stuff leaves me near crippled the next day. I found by dropping the post about a 1/2" from my normal XC position works wonders!When the hill eases up, I pop it back up and continue JRA with out the lumbar pain ;)
Now it's my turn to get my wife one...
Similar Products Used: None, this was recommended by riders who used all the rest.
Bike Setup: Blur LT trail
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Submitted by
wpuk
a Cross Country Rider
from Exeter
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2010
Strengths: Works as intended
Weaknesses: Remote, the cable adjuster into the remote is tacky and made of cheese, removed the cheap metal L arm, fitted Goodridge inner/outer cableand a aftermarket barrel adjuster
Bottom Line:
Have had no issues with the seatpost at all, the remote is let down by the cheapness of everything after the switch
Would happily buy another one as long as this one continues giving value for money.
Bike Setup: Nicolai Helius AM, Sram XX, Flow rims on CK(rear) Hope(front) hub
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Submitted by
mdavenpo2000
a Cross Country Rider
from Atherton, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2010
Strengths: 5 inches of infinitly adjustable travel; solidly built;
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I'd never owned an adjustable seatpost before, so I wasn't sure how useful it'd be. I bought this primarily for steep and gnarly rocky singletrack. Now I find myself dropping the seatpost almost everytime I point my rig downhill. The remote works great. I'll get one for my Karate Monkey as soon as they develop the 27.2 size. Worth every penny.
Weaknesses: Common sticky actuation problem. Had trouble resolving other issues. Customer Service is a one man show and couldn't get a return call.
Bottom Line:
I like the action of the post but too often you have to give it a bump with butt to get it to move. It is tight, nice remote lever. Disappointed in the customer service. I've used the revised CB Joplin 4 post, much improved. If you have a problem Crank Bros is there for support.
Strengths: Smooth reliable seatpost (after a little work). Stops anywhere in travel. No play.
Weaknesses: Stiction out of box
Bottom Line:
I had the joplin and gravity dropper. This one is by far the best. It was sticky out of the box, but carefully sanding the bushing with a scotch brite pad and lubing with slick honey made it butter smooth. Best remote of the ones ive had too.
Similar Products Used: Joplin (crap) gravity dropper turbo
Bike Setup: blur ltc crossmax sx,36 talas
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
dan51
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2010
Strengths: Looks good.
Weaknesses: reliability: just like sanosedre, I get 2 rides and it stops working. I've had for a total of 4 successful rides, and 2 failed rides. That's a pretty pathetic success rate.
Bottom Line:
I want to love this post, but I've spent more time trying to get it repaired than riding it. Most bike shops I talk to say it's awesome and super reliable, can't say I agree with the reliable part.
Similar Products Used: Gravity dropper, which has worked flawlessly for 4+ years.
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Submitted by
sanjosedre
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2010
Strengths: When it works it does what it well, I have a low standover bike so the 5" of adjustment comes in very handy.
Weaknesses: Reliability: I have sent this thing back twice already & get about two good rides then bam! Either doesn't stay in position or will not stay extended. Also the seat adjustment is archaic.
Bottom Line:
Great post when working well, seat adjustment is dated but the travel is great.
Submitted by
the pig
a Cross Country Rider
from livermore,ca..usa
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2010
Strengths: works as described, no play in seat and five inches of drop
Weaknesses: weight, bike gained about three quarters of a pound.
Bottom Line:
It is so convienient, I didnt realize what a pain in the rear moving the seat up and down manually was. The bike weighs 26.2 pounds now up from 25.5, well worth it at im kind of a weight weenie.
Just a heads up:
The most recent batch of KS i950 adjustable seatposts are shipping w/ a bit of vertical play (~1/16th inch), and the accompanying clunking as a "feature". As it Read More »
"Pure Racing Presents KS Technology i950 series height adjustable seatpost for perfect pedaling performance whatever the terrain."
I haven't seen much out there about this seat Read More »
I just got back from my first ride on a new i950. It has *alot* of vertical play, more than an inch, and makes a lot of clunking noises on the trail. I looked through the user ma Read More »
My KS I950 pops up after some big drop offs or jumps. It is obviously very untimely to have your seat riding up on you after you just landed off a jump. Nearly slammed a few times Read More »
I finally got this written up...better late than never eh.
[url=http://www.singletrackgeek.com/2011/12/long-term-review-kind-shock-ks-i950-r.html]Singletrack Geek: Long Term Re Read More »
