KS Announces 27.2mm Cartridge Enhancements

Jun 27, 2018 at 12:56
by KS USA  
photo

PRESS RELEASE: KS

KS has developed an all-new cartridge specifically for use on KS's premium droppers compatible with 27.2mm seat tubes. The smallest diameter variant of the LEV-Ci, LEV Integra, and LEV will each benefit from this much-improved design.

This all-new cartridge is characterized by the following 4 enhancements:

1. User-tunable air spring pressure
2. Larger air chamber for lower operating pressure
3. Single-piece, forged cartridge body and head
4. Zero-load piston valve for easy remote actuation even while the rider is seated

Adjustable Air Spring Access

User-Tunable Air Spring Pressure
Like the cartridge used in the larger diameter premium KS droppers, the 27.2mm cartridge now allows the user to adjust air spring pressure to tune the rebound speed and force required to drop the saddle. The valve can be accessed by removing the head clamp components to expose a Schrader valve that can be inflated or deflated using a standard shock pump.

New 27.2mm Cartridge Overview


Larger Air Chamber For Lower Operating Pressure
The redesigned cartridge also incorporates a significantly larger air spring to reduce the typical operating pressure range. This lower pressure also reduces the friction in the sealing systems while giving the rider a more linear and predictable feeling return.

LEC-Ci 272 Head

Single-Piece Forged Body And Head
LEV-Series droppers have always used the stanchion tube directly as the cartridge body to minimize redundant materials in the system. For 27.2 diameter models, some structural strength needed to be engineered in due to the smaller diameter. As a result, KS 27.2mm premium droppers now have a one-piece forged stanchion and lower head cradle. The added strength reduces the deflection that plagues smaller diameter droppers while allowing us to also increase the travel options to a full 120mm.

All New Spool Valve




Zero Load Piston Valve
Last but not least, this all-new cartridge for 27.2mm droppers now uses the same spool valve found in the latest generation LEV-Ci and LEV models. The use of this new valve removes the pressure felt at the remote due to the rider’s weight while seated. The result is consistent, light-feeling actuation of the remote regardless of the rider being seated on the dropper or not.

The all-new cartridge for premium models of LEV Series 27.2mm droppers advances dropper performance in a form factor that previously resulted in compromises.

LEV Series 27.2mm droppers are available in 65mm, 100mm or 120mm of buttery smooth travel and are compatible with all KS remote options from KG, Southpaw and the all-new Westy.
LEV-Ci 272

For more information, please visit www.kssuspension.com or contact KS USA: info@kssuspension.com


MENTIONS: @KS-USA


Author Info:
KS-USA avatar

Member since Jun 27, 2018
1 articles

31 Comments
  • 11 3
 I've had two Lev 27.2 droppers and a buddy has had one. All three, within a few rides, stopped returning to full height. I foolishly tried to "do the right thing" initially and send my first one back to KS, at my expense, to be fixed. It worked again, for a few weeks, before developing the same problem. The second I just returned from whence I purchased it.

So imagine my (lack of) surprise when my girlfriend's new Trek Fuel EX8, which came with a KS, developed the same problem after very little usage. That one at least can be user-serviced, but other droppers I've owned (a Gravity Dropper and two Thompsons) have had no issues after years of use.

So unfortunately I'm not inclined to give them another chance here. I would like to find a reliable 27.2 dropper but I doubt the Lev is it.
  • 7 0
 Yup same here. Every KS ive had have crapped out very quickly. Ive tried to have it repaired which fixes it for only a couple months.
  • 8 0
 @sampolicky: hmm odd. Mines on season 6, zero maintenance. Or do you mean just 27.2?
  • 1 0
 @BryceBorlick: Thankfully the regular sized one lasted about a year and a half. The 27.2 was the one that kept having issues.
  • 1 0
 I'm 0/4: three 27.2 and one 30.9.

I keep assuming I must just have bad luck, given that KS is still in business. Good to hear at least one person has a trouble-free KS!
  • 1 0
 @igxqrrl: I have had my 30.9 since 2013 and I have only rebuilt it once. I guess I have a lucky one. The reverbs on the other hand have been rebuilt every year.
  • 1 0
 I'm on the other end of this I suppose. I've had two Thomsons and they both crapped out just after the warranty period.
  • 1 0
 PNW offers 27.2 posts for internal or external routing config. I have a couple hundred miles on one its working flawless.
  • 1 0
 Hahaha same here. wifes bike stopped going all the way up after a couple of short rides. They told me it needed to be serviced every six months even with two rides on it. I will never buy a ks product or bike that comes equipped with ks ever again. Crap!
  • 2 0
 Ditto for my hardtail. I think it's simply due to the volume limitation of a 27.2mm diameter. I have no problem with the 31.6mm on my full suspension bike. A quick hand jerk solves the problem ;-)
  • 1 0
 @SimonNZ: I think you're right that its the diameter that is the issue. I'm on a 27.2 Thomson which works fine vertically but has a little rotational play which is a little annoying but not bad enough to send for repair.

I have had issues with rotational play on my previous 27.2 Thomson before they warrantied it for tho one I have now.

One thing to be careful of is seat clamp torque. Thomson is 3Nm which is lower than the recommended on my clamp of 5Nm. Too tight and it will bind. Too lose and your post slips.
  • 2 0
 4th season on mine, zero issues. Just bought another one after my rock shox stealth shit the bed on me...Twice. I guess you can find someone that has had issues with just about all manufacturers
  • 1 0
 PNW Pine? Just ordered mine today.
  • 2 0
 4 years with maintenance once a year, no problem what so ever and i have three different droppers of KS. Can't complain fellas.
  • 1 0
 Why not keep with is approved and trouble free,low and cheap maintenance like the Gravity Dropper ?

Nowadays are millions of droppers,millions of problems,millions of $ in repairs and millions of hours without them awaiting from repair.
  • 4 0
 Funny that you all have had bad experiences with the Lev posts. I have an OEM one on my Transition and have loved it. It's been totally trouble free for the last 18 months of 3-times-per-week use.

Of course now that I've written that... : )
  • 3 0
 I've had a couple KS posts. None have worked well. Developing sag, creaking, seat rail slip, developing a rattle because if too much play. All common complaints if you google. And KS is a complete misery to deal with, so there is that also. PNW makes 27.2 posts. They work well. More affordable than KS. And the folks working there are an absolute pleasure to deal with. I'm sure there are other options too, but I'll put it out there that PNW is worth a look.
  • 2 0
 The 27.2 I have is a slow turd of a dropper. After 18 months or so the post rocks back and forth, the inner stanchion tube I mean! Had it rebuilt by KS, it too all summer and wasn't like new. It's now really bad. Ripped it out of the bike, sold the Southpaw lever and deciding if I should sell the post for parts on eBay or just trash it.
  • 2 1
 Great but what would be cooler is if KS made all of their parts available for old droppers. I have completely exhausted all options finding a replacement seat clamp for the eTen. None of the shops or distributors or online stores can help me out in Canada. Each part has multiple part numbers and while 2 or 3 of the pieces might be available, the others will not be. It's been a total cluster f which started with the warranty of the post itself, only to receive it back with a scratched stanchion, re-warrantying it for that and then having it come back without the seat-clamp parts. So now my post is sitting in the tool drawer for months and I don't even know if it works.
  • 1 0
 Not sold in parts. On the low end only the most common replacement parts are stocked. $110 @ Jensonusa.com is the answer you are looking for. Jenson discount code 31V39T6260. Best wishes.
  • 1 0
 @trails801: They do sell the small parts though. Worldwide cyclery shows them but never the complete set. The distributors show them but they are never available. Hell i'd even buy my own parts back that they forgot to send with the post at this point. I have a long documented email trail of all the ways i've tried to get these parts. I wouldn't just go buy another eTen when I have the meat right here already, just need the potatoes back!
  • 1 0
 Bought Two 272 lev posts one is returning, not best but its coming up maybe cause its a 65mm drop. Another is 100 and it is slow really slow, very slow. So I take the owners manual and read '' you can adjust the returning speed of your post, by pumping it by valve under the seat rail assembly'' or what it is called anyway, same place as Reverb that works for 3 years already and no problems Smile . I take everything apart look inside aaaaaand there is nothing Big Grin just a freakin' plug not a sign of valve or any removable part... I don't know how it called in other countries, but here we call it fraud and lying to your customer. I thing those are my first and last products from KS.
  • 3 0
 Yes, this is the same thing I observed. It turns out that the 27.2 are /not/ user-servicable. You have to send them back in to KS. At which point it'll work for a little while and then stop working again.
  • 1 0
 @igxqrrl: yeah I had read about that, pity cause at first I was pleased with quality of the 65mm post and after changing it for longer one, such a disaster and bad news. Bad, cheesy product introduction.
  • 1 0
 Due the lack of 27.2 droppers here in chile I buy a Tranz-X, 2 months of riding, cheap and no problems so far... Obviously the little play from side to side but no a big deal.
  • 3 0
 okay, so is this an upgrade current Lev272 users can buy?
  • 2 0
 I believe the main diameter of the Oil Pressure Stick and mast are the same ... so yes, retrofittable. Worth confirming with your local distributor or service centre.
  • 2 0
 Does this apply to externally routed droppers (cable on side-mount)? Or only bottom-mounted internally-routed?
  • 1 0
 Is this "cartridge" backwards compatible? I have a Lev 27.2 that needs help.
  • 1 0
 Upgrades for seatpost. That's the thing now ?
  • 1 1
 i'm so confused







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