[whoda*huck]

Preparing to build a new trail bike ('11Spot) with new/old parts mix and I'm going to go the dropper route for the first time. Any new favorites out there? From what I can assess, the GD is still top of the list. Just wondering if there are any new failure/working great stories from those with the newcomers (i.e. Kindshock, Reverb etc.).

 

[morandi]

the reverb has been awesome. The adjustment range is fantastic and the action is super smooth.
Needed to bleed the remote when I first got the post, but that took all of 5min. Finding a good position for the remote on the bars can be a little tricky, especially if you are not a sram/avid user and can't use the matchmaker function.

 

[cutthroat]

I have been very happy with my KSi900R - a little stiction at first but that went away after about an hour of riding. Price is reasonable too.

 

[whoda*huck]

Gee, so far this is making my decision much easier. :madman:

 

[El Chingon]

I just sold my 5 year old 27.2 GD. It was still working flawlessly. Sure I broke it twice over the years, but GD warrantied it both times. I replaced it with a 30.9 5 inch Turbo GD. :thumbsup:

 

[Endomaniac]

I have a reverb and a gravity dropper. I like the infinite position of the reverb but it’s slow to come back up even after bleeding etc. it just doesn’t go up instantly like a GD. It also silent and I have no idea if it’s all the way up or still going. With the GD you press the remote you hear a thunk and you know exactly what’s going on back there. I’m also sensitive that it runs off an air chamber that could fail and a hydraulic system that can leak. I don’t really like how the cable attaches to the saddle end of the post so when the post goes down you have all this cable to deal with.
I’ve ridden the GD for a few years and it’s been perfect the whole time it’s amazingly simple with little to fail besides the whole thing just breaking in two. If I were buying today id get another GD for sure. I’m probably going to list my reverb in the classifieds soon and swap it for another GD.

 

[MK_]

There are two things that make the GD a top choice.
First, the cable stop is below the moving part of the post, so you don't have a huge cable loop with the post down as you do with all air posts.
Second, it works. It takes abuse and works. Over the 5 years I've run GDs, four of them, I've only had one issue and was the glue holding the release mechanism came undone. That resulted in an upgrade to the new 5in post and it's pretty much is the ideal post.

_MK

 

[ebeer]

I love my GD. Tried and true. In a year I've lubed it once, and it works perfectly but I will not say "better" than other posts, just "different".

As mentioned by Endomaniac, I too like the strong return of the GD. It leaves no doubt as to the position it is in. It doesn't have infinite travel, but after riding a Crank Brothers and Command Post, I find I really like the simplicity of the GD and pre-defined travel stops. I don't have to wonder what height the post is at (one stop for one inch and two for four inches). For me less is more.

The GD is not without its detriments though. The shifting mechanism could really use some updating. Lots of throw required and the lever is huge compared to new designs. And then there is the boot question. Personally I've come to embrace, dare I say even like, the accordion boot. It's a turn off to many, but I'm over that. The many advantages of the GD out weigh these two small issues.

Bottom line, all of the posts are good designs and will improve your riding. You will quickly adapt to what ever option you choose, and likely never look back....instead you will continually ask yourself why you waited so long.

 

[BBW]

GD here.... 2 years and not a single ploblem. I wouldn't take a chance with fluids and hydraulic systems; another thing that could ruin a ride at the worst moment but that is just me. Simple and reliable plus top customer service

 

[geo025]

I've got an 11 5 spot, I just upgraded from the original Maverick Speedball (now Crank Bros)to the Reverb. Straight out of the box the Reverb worked no issues . I've turned down the return speed as I found it fast.
The seat clamp is better than the Speedball, but no set back. So you may want to take that into consideration to what you decide on.

OK I've only had a couple of rides on it but I think I prefer the lack of set back . Better on the steeper climbs, & easier to get behind on the technical down sections .

 

[geo025]

GD here.... 2 years and not a single ploblem. I wouldn't take a chance with fluids and hydraulic systems; another thing that could ruin a ride at the worst moment but that is just me. Simple and reliable plus top customer service

I think they said that about brakes a few moons ago:thumbsup:

 

[flipnidaho]

2- AMPS in the household. Only problems have been a bent lever (I just bent it back) and the neoprene sleeve looking ratty over time. But otherwise, they've been perfect.

 

[KRob]

I heard from a shop mechanic that the Reverb has not been without its problems. Anyone having any reliability issues with the Reverb yet?

I like my Joplin 4 and my KS 950i. The up and down is smooth, quick and silent with a small thud at the top of the stroke to let me know it's there. I like being able to stop anywhere in between... and I think they both look way better than the GD. Also I like not having to seat bounce to get them to return to full height like the GD (I think the GD Turbo fixes this problem).

And so far after 4 months haven't had any issues, but I know they've both been plagued with a few glitches (I had the original Maverick Speedball for 2 1/2 years without any major failures, just the usual side to side slop and slight up down play at the top of the stroke.)

Oh, and I picked them both up for the price of one Reverb.

 

[mikkosan]

Also consider the X-Fusion Hilo. The kit comes with a lever and a remote mount and is reasonably priced. I got mine just for $170. Action is smooth and its really well made. There isn't any side to side or forward - back play in the post as well.

 

[BBW]

I think they said that about brakes a few moons ago:thumbsup:

hahhaha I know but you have to think that its another thing that could go wrong anyway. No seals= no leak

 

[morandi]

Everyone of these kind of posts are gonna have some minor or major quibbles, because your dealing with a moving part that is constantly under a fair amount of force and pressure. In a way your saddle/seatposts probably has more force and stress put on it than your fork.
That being said, I love the infinite adjustability of the Reverb and the action is super smooth, so I am willing to put up with a more complicated mechanism than the GD.

 

[expatrider]

Been using GD posts for over 5 years; and never had any issues with any of them. Currently have the 30.9 turbo - 5" and 2" drop; and it's essentially all the adjustment I need. The 2" drop is great for somewhat techy stuff where there's still some pedaling to do. Anything hairy, and of course you're going to want to drop it down all the way. I just don't want for the infinite adjustability of a Reverb. When would you ever be in a situation where you needed to drop the post just 4", but not as far as 5"?

 

[morandi]

I just don't want for the infinite adjustability of a Reverb. When would you ever be in a situation where you needed to drop the post just 4", but not as far as 5"?

I thought the exact same thing, until I got the reverb. Its really nice.

 

[thefriar]

I have 3 GDs. They work, they're easy to self service. They last many seasons, and if they brake, GD has almost always been 8 day turn around or faster, like I send it monday and have it back on bike the next Wednesday. And when I broke it, it was rider error, you shouldn't try to wheelie on a teeter totter folks...

 

[Dusty Bottoms]

I deliberately chose the KS i-950 over the Reverb since you don't have to bleed it 5 times out of the box to get it work as advertised. The KS also has the cleanest bar mount BY FAR, since it replaces your inner odi grip clamp, and it is 100% reversible & invertible.