KS LEV - school me on it

Bikael Molton · Jan 29, 2015

No specific info for you, but I can't imagine they wouldn't sometime do an Integra version is "hella light" and all black, as I'm guessing the market would like that.

(Unless the black is wearing off a la Marz 2008).

Great product by the way - I have nonblack, non-integral Lev.

kidwoo · Jan 29, 2015

It's air sprung, you wouldn't like it.

I have a lev dx and a regular lev with the plastic head. Amazingly I haven't broken it.

I have two because the second time my dx started sagging I had no idea if they were going to fix it since it was out of warranty (but within a year of the first warranty repair for the same problem). So now I have a backup.

They work. I like them. I like having a cable to deal with rather than a hydraulic system that needs to be bled. I also like the non-integra version because I can reach it, if it does get wonky.

Dogboy · Jan 29, 2015

I can't imagine that KS won't update the Integra version at some point but I have no indication of when that might be. Maybe just a question of how many of the current Integras are out there. I wish they would package a version with the Southpaw lever because that thing is pretty dope.

kidwoo · Jan 29, 2015

Dogboy said:
I wish they would package a version with the Southpaw lever because that thing is pretty dope.

Seriously. That needs to be a given. And speaking of which, I had to order one of those fvckers from England. No one in the US even had them. Those guys need to toot their own horn a little louder.

Bikael Molton · Jan 29, 2015

whoa i need one of those

Bikael Molton · Jan 29, 2015

wait for $50 I guess I don't.

kidwoo · Jan 29, 2015

but but...........titanium bro!!

Yeah it's annoyingly expensive for what it is. But it's kind of awesome.

jackalope · Jan 29, 2015

Who cares about weight? The real question is does avy make an aftermarket cart for it? Preferably with a mid - valve and custom tuned rebound shim stack.

dan-o · Jan 29, 2015

No DW no care.
Taiwanese produced crap without american initial means nothing. NOTHING!

kidwoo · Jan 29, 2015

Udi said:
I didn't ask what you thought of it, I just asked what the weight of the 30.9x125 is in the new version with the carbon head, and when I can get one of the new ones (preferably in integra guise).

Oh sorry. I forgot the important 50 grams of concern.

You have internet access and can do the maths?

http://bti-usa.com/public/category/SP/SPSX/KD

And that's where I got my sexy bitch black one 5 months ago....... You'll have to deal with kashima wanna be for integras.

CBJ · Jan 29, 2015

Regarding the south paw you can just convert a shifter to do the same. Might be a little heavier but if you are running x1 its a must and the standard remote is crap compared to that solution. I run the Integra you want the version 2 as they have reversed the cable direction so its easier to do the trick with the shifter. Worked great for the first year.

I tried to email them and call them a while ago with no success. Sorry no idea regarding upgrades to the Integra.

kidwoo · Jan 29, 2015

That's what I had before buying the southpaw thing.

In the name of continuing to provide invaluable information to the OP, I'm telling you.........the southpaw thing is rad.

I also like pizza.

You guys into pizza? How about boobz. Boobz are cool too yeah?

tacubaya · Jan 30, 2015

I've heard that a Suntour Rux dropper is coming out

...that's all I can say for now.

ianjenn · Jan 30, 2015

http://www.artscyclery.com/Kind_Shock_LEV_Ti_Black_Dropper_Seat_Post_125mm_/descpage-KSLDT12.html

Is that what you are after UDI?

CBJ · Jan 30, 2015

T

Udi said:
Want to grab one of these in the near future, wondering which models have been updated recently and what the exact weights are.

It seems the regular LEV for 2015 has been updated to a carbon head clamp and a black shaft. It claims to be 50g lighter, however I haven't seen this for sale yet anywhere. What does that make the weight of the 2015 LEV in 30.9x125mm drop?

My other question is, the LEV integra (at least on the website) does not seem to get either of these upgrades - it doesn't claim to have the carbon head / 50g weight saving, nor the all-important black shaft .

I'd prefer the integra - should I just wait, or will I be waiting for "2 weeks"?

As far as the carbon part I have only seen news of the shorter XC version incorporating carbon. With the Integra its only a color change.

http://www.bikerumor.com/2014/09/04/eb14-ks-lev-ci-carbon-xc-dropper-post-debuts-plus-new-bars-stems-posts-pulled-from-ether/

Dogboy · Jan 31, 2015

CBJ said:
T

As far as the carbon part I have only seen news of the shorter XC version incorporating carbon. With the Integra its only a color change.

http://www.bikerumor.com/2014/09/04/eb14-ks-lev-ci-carbon-xc-dropper-post-debuts-plus-new-bars-stems-posts-pulled-from-ether/

The all black LEV's with the powercordz cables have a carbon lower saddle rail clamp.

wood booger · Feb 1, 2015

Dogboy said:
The all black LEV's with the powercordz cables have a carbon lower saddle rail clamp.

Nope, just got a 150mm all blacker w/ Ti bolts & powercordz (which suck btw) from BTI last week. Saddle clamps are all metal and fine by me.

I broke the plastic "cable stop" part on LEV DX (collar on the base of post) in a wreck so I got the black mamaba as a backup.

Don't recommend the DX; too much plastic, repositioning cable anchor location requires full rebuild, not available in black mamba edition.

KS LEV are killer posts, just replace the lever with a "shifter style" option and don't pull up on the saddle while post is dropped. It creates a vacuum and sucks air into the oil and then gets all soft like Gramps before he pops the little blue pill.

dan-o · Feb 1, 2015

wood booger said:
don't pull up on the saddle while post is dropped. It creates a vacuum and sucks air into the oil and then gets all soft

My integra does this in temps below freezing but sorts itself out when it warms back up.
Doesn't seem like a permanent condition, unlike a reverb that needs a bleed.

Orfen · Feb 5, 2015

wood booger said:
Nope, just got a 150mm all blacker w/ Ti bolts & powercordz (which suck btw) from BTI last week. Saddle clamps are all metal and fine by me.

is your Lev Ti sticky? a friend got one and regularly it stays down while riding. He needs to either sit down or move it for it to come back up.

wood booger · Feb 6, 2015

Orfen said:
is your Lev Ti sticky? a friend got one and regularly it stays down while riding. He needs to either sit down or move it for it to come back up.

It is a bit sticky in the middle of the stroke, but seems to be wearing in. The first few rides it would occasionally not come up from mid position unless you first put some weight on it and dropped down. Working better now. I am only running 175 psi in it also, you can go up to 250 max.

And I stand corrected, the lower saddle cradle is in fact carbon. I even scratched it and thought it was Al, but seems to be some very hard compression molded carbon.
Kind of bummed on this as it likes to slip around a bit and make some noise. I coated it in carbon friction "grease" and it is holding better now, but I would much prefer an aluminum part here.

Best upgrade for these posts is a shifter style lever. Much easier on the thumb than the little stocker nub!

OGRipper · Feb 9, 2015

Not that you asked or anything, but I broke a carbon lower clamp pretty quickly after getting a Lev early last season. I replaced it with a metal one, which was actually suggested by one of the guys at KS, and which has been fine since. YMMV.

wood booger · Feb 9, 2015

OGRipper said:
Not that you asked or anything, but I broke a carbon lower clamp pretty quickly after getting a Lev early last season. I replaced it with a metal one, which was actually suggested by one of the guys at KS, and which has been fine since. YMMV.

Damn, that is what I am afraid of.
Alum one on the way, getting that carbon turd out of there asap!

kidwoo · May 12, 2015

Bump for boobies.

Even suppliers still have a pic of the old, haggard, socially awkward, completely unrideable gold staUnchun. The new ones are black right? Cuz it's May, and that's just science right?

ianjenn · May 12, 2015

They make a BLACK LEV and the Ti only come in Black...

http://www.artscyclery.com/searchresults.html?search=products&searchtext=KS

(I AM TALKING POST COLORS BTW)

kidwoo · May 12, 2015

Heh. I just came back to delete that post. BTI just updated their pictures for the integras. Like from this morning.

It looks like the hideous shame inducing kiddie porn harboring gold staUNchin has been relegated to the closeout status it deserves.

That like has lots of good small parts........
Thanks yo!

kidwoo · May 13, 2015

Udi said:
I won't bother digging up the numbers since kidwoo said mean things about me. If you send him lots of hateful PMs I'll answer questions.

Don't even try it bitches, I've got pics of lesions on my wiener that will haunt you straight into the afterlife.

tomasis7 · May 13, 2015

Ban kidwoo at first ? Vote vote!!!

tacubaya · May 13, 2015

Udi rides Maestro Suspension? :eek:

kidwoo · May 13, 2015

tacubaya said:
Udi rides Maestro Suspension?

In rootbeer.

kidwoo · May 13, 2015

Udi said:
It may come as a surprise to some, but yes, I ride the best suspension available.

........in rootbeer

CBJ · May 13, 2015

Just got my Integra back with the new actuation so its much easier to use it with a shifter pod. It also got a internal update. the new version does not pull up when you lift the seat. Its also all black if that is important.

toodles · May 13, 2015

I've been running my Integra for a few weeks now. Wasn't lucky enough to score one of the new ones unfortunately so missed out on the black stantion. Only issue I've had is that it is a bit sticky and doesn't rise sometimes without a tap or push to break it loose. Hoping it frees up with some more use. It is installed with carbon paste and minimal tightening of the seat clamp so it shouldn't be binding or anything.

ianjenn · May 13, 2015

Make sure you loosen the cap on the top of the post where the dropper slides in. Clean it all out and apply grease every month or two....

KS LEV - school me on it

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