KS joins the wi-fi dropper publish sport with their new LEV Circuit dropper seatpost. Take away yet another cable out of your cockpit with a {smooth} dropper that’s lighter & cheaper than AXS. Plus, get the choice for longer dropper journey and rider-adjustable return. We’ve been using the sleek new wi-fi KS LEV Circuit dropper, and don’t need to return to cables…
KS LEV Circuit wi-fi mountain bike dropper seatpost
One other wi-fi dropper means extra choices and higher efficiency. So we had been fairly psyched to listen to the trusted KS LEV going wi-fi with this new Circuit. Once we had first gotten our grubby fingers on a Magura Vyron dropper over eight years in the past, it was a really promising concept, however the velocity and actuation left a lot to be desired. A number of wi-fi droppers later, and the brand new KS LEV Circuit is an actual possibility for ditching cables…
What’s new?
We’ve been spying wi-fi KS droppers since all the best way again in 2015, and obtained a correct take a look at this new LEV Circuit wi-fi dropper already final March. It began out with the confirmed dependable internals of KS’s fashionable LEV collection of MTB droppers, however then obtained utterly revamped in its wi-fi overhaul. KS gave the LEV Circuit a revised inside hydraulic circuit format, with its hydraulic valve on the prime of the publish to permit for top-down management.
Bluetooth controls the brand new LEV Circuit, actuated by a comparatively cumbersome however light-weight distant. It has an excellent quick throw button although, shifting simply 0.5mm to actuate. It’s a {smooth} press with no perceivable resistance, and it’s quick to drop. Of the handful of wi-fi droppers I’ve tried, I can’t bear in mind any being so fast or really easy to drop to no matter peak I would like!
The dropper additionally has an adjustable air return spring to allow you to tune its velocity (100-180psi). On the backside of the publish, a basic Schrader valve allows you to choose the stress you need for both a smooth-controlled or rocket-fast return. And because it’s wi-fi, there’s no stress to pop the dropper out of your bike and alter the air stress inside.
The publish’s head encompasses a new sliding 1-bolt clamp for KS that’s appropriate with each normal spherical or oval rails (6x7mm or 7x9mm). There’s truly a 2nd bolt that maintain head rotation in place for simpler saddle set up & elimination.
Setup & Using Impressions
I’ve been using with a brand new 31.6mm x 150mm KS LEV Circuit dropper for the reason that finish of October, and form of need to take it from bike to bike. It truly is simply smoother and simpler to actuate than any mechanical dropper I’ve on different bikes. And I’ve been fairly impressed with the velocity of the wi-fi digital distant, in comparison with earlier Vyron, AXS & TranzX droppers. I’ve had no hassle rapidly dropping a part of the best way down. And I like having the ability to dial-in a comparatively slower and smoother return (at 150psi for me) for after I need the publish again up.
I’ve truly put the dropper in a few bikes thus far. And the largest hassle was truly having to return to a wired dropper on the primary bike, after I pulled the LEV Circuit wi-fi dropper out.
Tech particulars
The LEV Circuit dropper is powered by a 450mWh detachable battery within the head of the seatpost. A safe plastic clip holds it in place, then slide it again to get out, and recharge with the proprietary USB-C charger included. KS claims as much as 55 hours of operation on a single cost.
No concept but what number of drops or what number of rides you’ll get with that in the actual world although. However we’ve been utilizing it for just a few weeks and the LED remains to be flashing inexperienced with every drop. A stable purple LED warns of <30% battery remaining.
An ordinary CR2032 coin cell battery powers the distant controller. And KS claims it should want substitute roughly each 8 months. The distant encompasses a 2-position Matchmaker mount, and comes with a cut up band clamp should you run Shimano brakes like I do. You may all the time get an I-spec adapter to suit, too.
The entire setup is IP67 rated. That makes it dust-proof and water resistant. That ought to survive mountain biking in any situations. However it’s digital, so most likely don’t hit the distant or dropper head with a stress washer, please.
The dropper slides on three exact keyways for just about no side-to-side-play.
Claimed weight is as little as 588g for the 30.9 x 125mm dropper. Or as much as 726g for the 31.6 x 200mm LEV Circuit, with out the distant. My measurement 31.6 x 150mm dropper weighed an actual 655g. That’s then 8g greater than claimed, plus 41g for the wi-fi distant with the band clamp.
For comparability, the identical measurement Reverb AXS dropper weighed 672g 4 us with its battery, plus one other 54g for the AXS distant. So this new KS one is simply 30g lighter, but additionally greater than 100 and fifty bucks cheaper, now.
KS LEV Circuit wi-fi – Pricing, choices & availability
The brand new KS LEV Circuit wi-fi dropper is offered from at present for $699 in various totally different sizes. Certainly, that’s not precisely low-cost. However, it’s a minimum of a bit extra inexpensive than a Reverb AXS dropper. And it nonetheless comes with the belief of the KS model.
The wi-fi KS LEV Circuit dropper publish is available in both 30.9mm or 31.6mm diameters. And you’ll choose from 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, and lengthy 200mm of dropper journey.
