I will open this post by taking simply that the 9point8 Fall line Dropper post with the 1x adaptor remote is the best dropper post ever invented and manufactured. It is now the market benchmark. End of chat. If you think otherwise:
The 9point8 arrives in a fantastic minimalist and recyclable box and contains everything one needs to install the post (except tools of course) including fantastically comprehensive and easy to follow set up instructions (summary: the most important aspect of the set up is cable length and a tiny bit of cable slack at the remote lever throughout the range). I was going to film a how-to video but I got too impatient and blew it off. Sorry about that.
Some quick measurements that might help save time (based on my XL Nomad frame):
Outer housing: 22 cm protuding from frame entry port and 3 cm protuding above seat tube (this obviously changes once post is installed giving you the loop you need to place the remote on the handle bar).
This gives a perfect “almost shortest possible” loop to the 9point8 1x adapter remote which is located 178mm inboard, from the end of the grip, on a 780mm wide PRO Tharsis carbon handle bar. Perfect reach for my thumb.
THINGS TO NOTE:
1. It is worth the set up time to test the routing with just the outer/ housing before one inserts the inner cable. Note the 9point8 tip that it is easier to trim the housing at the remote end, before you install the inner cable, once you have screwed the seat post mechanism into place.
2. I wound the cable adjust barrel out five turns so I had the room to create slack required through out the seat post travel as tension is what releases the mechanism.
3. 9point8 comes without air from the factory. I started with 35 psi which gives a pretty cheeky extension speed but I have got used to it so I am not going to change it. I am guessing that 30 psi will give a more KS Lev like extension speed. I cannot estimate psi to approximate Rockshox extension speed sorry.
Side note: because I think that Shimano shits sunshine and rainbows I used XTR/ Dura-ace SIS outer cable and a sil-tec inner cable rather than the Jagwire stuff that came with the seat post. Nothing against Jagwire and I will keep it as a spare but I know that Shimano probably has 20 engineers working on cable slipperiness and their stuff has never failed me.
The 9point8 1x adaptor remote is possibly the best I have ever used (ranking here):
1. 9point8 1x adaptor (9/10 as is, 10/10 with grip tape patch installed, good angle engineered into the adaptor, very natural thumb position, light but precise action #doyouevenendurobro)
2. KS Southpaw (8/10 as is, 9/10 with grip tape patch installed, sightly fiddly to set up due to multi angle clamp arrangement, can get it perfect, firm and precise action).
3. 9point8 remote set horizontally without the adaptor (7.5/10 due to slightly too tight to the bar and less ergnomic set up freedom due to interaction with brake master cylinder).
4. KS “ODI” remote (7/10 as is, just have to get the angle right for your thumb, right angle noodle a bit of a shag on some brake set ups).
5. Rockshox Reverb (1/10 as is, 2/10 with grip tape patch installed) What engineering degree reject designed this POS?!?!?! The worst remote ever!! Obviously one with the world’s most over developed/ strongest thumb. And who designs sharp edges on a control that has a better than even chance of meeting a knee/ leg at some point in one’s mountain biking career? It is still shit even with grip tape installed.
Seatpost ranking:
1. 9point8 Fallline (9.5/10, also has best instructions).
2. RF Turbine (8.5/10, possibly worst instructions ever).
3. KS Lev Integra (8.5/10 with Southpaw and with Original remotes, only changed due to poor customer service from servicing agent).
4. KS Lev (8/10 with standard remote, still running on spare bike after 5 years of hard use).
5. Rockshox Reverb (6/10 when it is working downgraded to 3/10 due to POS remote) only ever used on rental/ demo bikes, bad enough in ergonomics, failure reputation and “who wants to run DOT fluid inside their frame” anyway that I found KS and stayed with them ever since, until 9point8 arrived on the scene and started their MTB dropper post global domination!!
I have obviously had too much coffee with my breakfast.
My original statement stands: 9point8; best dropper post ever!!
“Good things come to those who wait”
PS: This is a small company in Ontario who have probably been surprised by their own success. They are doing really well with trying to be awesome at customer service but when you have just invented the lightsabre of knives and everyone in the world is trying to upgrade from their Swiss Army Knife (KS) and flint (Rockshox) then DEMAND is far out stripping supply.
I had mine shipped from my friend in San Diego, CA, who bought it on line. Reached me April 2016. So far, the dropper post sucks. Put it in my all mountain bike which I used only for 5 times for trails. The first two (2), it worked fine. On the 3rd to 4th time used, I had to adjust the cable setting in the internal actuator because the post just slips down and slips up. When I sit on it, the post just slides down after a half kilometer. On the 5th time, the fall line post just went berserk. NO amount of adjustment of the cable can stop it from sliding down and when dropped, from sliding up. It just wouldn’t obey. So I had to pull it out and replace the post and saddle with the old, fixed one.
I tested applying pressure on the fall line post without the actuator. Guess what? It just slips down when I put my weight on it and slips up again when I release it!
Problem is, how can I have it repaired here in Manila, Philippines. Can they just send an instruction manual on how to disassemble it and repair it?
Raul Reyes, Pasig City, Metro-Manila, Phils.
Have you spoken to 9point8 they have an excellent reputation for customer service. In addition the 9point8 is home serviceable and unlike some other brands the tools are not that expensive. I know that does not help you right at the moment and having watched other seat posts fail I know it is frustrating to be losing riding time due to a part. I have had no problems at all with my 9point8 other than some slipping due to an overly tight cable when I first installed it. Too much tension means that the brake will not lock the post in place. I would definitely email 9point8 and perhaps send a short video of the post moving with any actuator at all.
I always emailed thjs web site post page to all my associates, since iif like to read it after that my
friends will too.
[…] of them) and have been running them on my bike/s since April 2016. I started with the 150mm in my Nomad 3 (XL – rider 6’2″ with 34″ inseam). 9point8 sent it to me in March 2016 and […]