Syntace had a few new tidbits they announced at the 2011 Interbike and Eurobike shows, and I’ve been testing them over the last couple of months. The two new trick components are the Syntace P6 Carbon HiFlex seatpost and Megaforce 2 stem. The carbon post has an interesting layup which provides some fore-and-aft flex, but side to side stiffness, while the lightweight yet stiff DH/AM stem has a rectangular shape and low stack height, and is offered in 30mm to 80mm lengths. Syntace backs up their excellent products with an outstanding 10 year warranty on all material and manufacturing defects, as long as their installed and used per their owner’s manual.

P6 Carbon HiFlex
The Syntace P6 Carbon HiFlex seatpost uses a full carbon tube that is bonded to a 7075 aluminum cold forged 3D alloy head, which has a two-bolt micro adjustment system for the clamp. The carbon tube layup orients its flex longitudinally along the bike frame axis, instead of out towards the sides, by their specific combination of uni-directional and load-orientated fibers, and offers a sturdy yet resilient ride, with excellent damping. The innovative adjustment system utilizes a short 30mm upper clamp, and a long 53mm bottom one, allowing for a great deal of saddles rearward positioning, and the extended lower length supports fragile titanium and carbon rails. The two-bolt’s are pivoted and are situated symmetrical in the direction of force, and give infinite micro-adjustability. The bolts are easy to access and adjust, and can be cranked down with a stout 8 Nm of force, and the system allows a useful 30° pivot range. The post is available in diameters of 34.9mm, 31.6mm, 30.9mm, and 27.2mm and 300mm and 400mm lengths, and an optional 480mm for 34.9mm. It comes in black, and retails for $274, and weighs in around 220 grams.

Impressions
The P6 Carbon HiFlex is a gorgeous post, with the atypical Germanic industrial ascetics, that has a solid feel in the hands. I squirted a bit of my trusty LPS-1 greaseless lube onto the shaft to make insertion easier and to prevent any sticking issues, and placed the post into my Ibis Mojo HD and clamped it down. I loosened the head bolts about halfway out, and jammed the fat SMP saddle rails into the clamp, without much effort, which is usually not the case with most systems. I alternated tightening the bolts until I got the horizontal angle close to my personal requirements, and gave the saddle some taps to move it rearward, and then tightened everything up to the correct torque specifications. I really liked how simple it was to get the saddle tilted, and that the bolts were located in a spot in which a hex wrench didn’t interfere with the post’s tube. The system was bombproof, stout and very stable, and the beefy bolts could easily be cranked down to a massive 8 Nm, and I never had anything slip, loosen or squeak on me. Even after multiple months of use, it has remained quiet, and my regular adjustment of its height has barely shown any scratches or wear marks on the tube’s surface, which is a great testament to the post’s toughness.

The post offered a very interesting ride, and depending on which way the post was loaded it offered a plush or stiff response. When seated in the saddle jamming down through rough terrain, the post gave a resilient and softened feel, with superb damping, and while pushed off axis for steering and control, the ride was stable and stiff. The characteristics were easily perceived on a 6-inch suspension bike, and it removed the harsh edge off things, and give the impression of the silkiness that titanium can provide. When you cranked the saddle hard on its side, and wanted precision and control, for technical maneuvers and railing through turns, the seatpost provided an ample amount of stoutness and stiffness. Depending on how you worked the saddle, the seatpost connected you to the bike with excellent damping and micro-suspension and ride feel, or precise laser-like control. The post went through extensive FEM (finite-element method) and brutal testing, including being subjected to their torturous VR-3 machine, highlighting its toughness and strength and high-quality standards.

Measured spec (31.6mm x 400mm):

• weight – 210.8 grams
• length (rail to bottom) – 401mm

The excellent two-bolt micro adjustment system, its silky or stiff ride depending on load direction, along with its extensive testing, make the Syntace P6 Carbon HiFlex a superb and rugged seatpost.

Pros:

• Excellent two-bolt micro adjustment system
• Superb damping and micro absorption when loaded longitudinally
• Stiff and precise when loaded on the side
• Tough and strong
• Long lower support and short upper – stable, great for fragile rails and gives maximum fore and aft tuning

Cons:

• Expensive

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs:

• MSRP – $274
• Visit the Syntace P6 Carbon seatpost website
• Weights – Ø 34.9 mm – 232 g (480 mm),  Ø 34.9 mm – 219 g (400 mm), Ø 31.6 mm – 214 g (400 mm), Ø 30.9 mm – 213 g (400 mm), Ø 27.2 mm – 226 g (400 mm)
• Diameter – Ø 27.2 mm, Ø 30.9 mm, Ø 31.6 mm and Ø 34.9 mm
• Available Length – 300 mm, 400 mm and 480 mm
• Minimum insert tube – 90 mm (120 mm at Ø 34.9)
• Material – Carbon fiber/ Aluminum
• Color – Carbon/ Raceblack

Syntace Megaforce 2
The new Megaforce 2 stems are designed for 31.8mm bars and 1 1/8 inch steerer diameters, have a 36mm stack height and flip-flop 6° rise. The stem has a rectangular shape for increased torsional stiffness and lower weight, and has a wide front clamp, all of which help with running uber wide 800mm bars. It is available in 30mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, and 80mm lengths, with weights between 107 to 149 grams (respectively), and retails for $150, and comes in black only with a flush mounting steerer cap.

Impressions
The Megaforce 2 stems are well built, and are stout and burly beasts. The rectangular cross profile of the stem and the front clamp’s width, make for a very stiff and minimally flex-free bar and stem interface, even when using bars of 740mm and greater. I never felt any sort of movement even when really torquing the bars hard, so the new design works extremely well. I used the stem predominately with their 740mm Vector bars, and not a hint of sloppiness pulsed back to the steering.  The bolts screwed in with precision, and the clamps all fit snugly when torqued down, showing the tightly engineered tolerances. I think the shorter length versions, and especially the 30mm will be greatly appreciated by a lot of riders. As always, the stems were subjected to their torturous VR-3 machine, highlighting its toughness and strength and high-quality standards.

Measured Spec (80mm length):

• Weight – 158.2 grams
• Length – 83mm
• Stack height – 36mm
• Front plate width – 48mm

Not much to say about this beast. It’s a plainly adorned stem, that does the job well, and performs its simple activity in the background, and is never noticed. Simple  is, as simple does!

Strengths

• Stiff and burly
• Excellent length coverage from uber short 30mm to longer 80mm
• Clamping system – no slippage
• Precise bolt interaction

Weaknesses

• Expensive

Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers
Specs:

• MSRP – $150
• Visit the Syntace Megaforce 2 stem website
• Lengths & Weights -30 mm: 107 g, 40 mm: 116 g, 50 mm: 122 g, 60 mm: 127 g, 70 mm: 138 g and 80 mm: 149 g
• Steerer Ø – 28.6 mm (1 1/8″)
• Steerer Height – 36 mm
• Minimum Insert (steerer) – 30 mm
• Handlebar Clamp Ø – 31.8 mm
• Angle – 6° FlipFlop
• Color -Raceblack

Vector 31.8 Carbon Bars
The Syntace Vector 31.8 Carbon handlebars have a 10mm rise, 31.8mm clamp, 680mm or 740mm width and a 9° or 12° sweep. The stem clamp area has an ‘in-molded titanium lattice’, which helps protect the handlebar from any crushing loads, and acts as an anti-slip zone. There is an increased wall thickness under the area where the shift and brake clamps reside for additional protection in those sections. Syntace utilizes a complex arrangement of the individual fiber layers, combined with loading them in an optimized cross section to give a resilient, strong and stiff bar. It comes in black, weighs from 190 -220 grams, and retails for $185.

Impressions
The Vector 31.8 Carbon is not only strong, but they have the excellent absorption and damping qualities that are common to the carbon fiber material. Even with the damping attributes, the bars still have a great stiffness to them, and the two properties together give incredible steering abilities, giving rise to laser-like qualities even while bashing them through the roughest terrain. The titanium lattice kept the bars from moving and slipping at the stem interface, even when using less than the recommended torque specifications. I liked the 740mm width (as tested), which I find optimal, and it gave great power and control, especially in ugly gnarly terrain, allowing me to apply maximum torque when required. I also enjoyed the extreme sweep of the 12° version, as they provided a comfortable and ergonomic platform, giving me less fatigue and better grip. I took some great diggers and crashes, and the bars are none the worse for that wear and tear. Like all of their cockpit components, the bars spent some up close and personal time on their killer VR-3 machine, meaning they can take a monstrous amount of realistic abuse, and once again highlighting the amazing toughness and longevity of their product.

Measured Spec (12° x 740mm) :

• Weight – 215.6 grams
• Length – mm

The wide Vector 31.8 Carbon are an excellent handlebar, as they’re strong, stiff when needed, yet provided a small degree of damping for a superlative ride, and the comfortable sweep was a welcome change.

Pros:

• Anti-slip titanium lattice
• Just the perfect combination of damping and control and stiffness
• Excellent ergonomic 12°  sweep
• Tough and strong

Cons:

• Expensive

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

 Specs:

• MSRP – $185
• Visit the Syntace Vector 31.8 Carbon handlebar website
• Weight – 680 mm: 189 g, 740 mm (8°): 208 g and 740 mm (12°): 219 g
• Width -  680 mm can be shortened up to 640 mm, 740 mm can be shortened up to 700 mm
• Rise – 10 mm
• Clamp Ø – 31.8 mm
• Sweep – 8° or 12°
• Color – Carbon

Syntace and their Testing
Syntace is located in Tacherting, Germany, just north of Salsberg near the Austrian border, and has been around a long time. They manufacture excellent products, including handlebars, stems and tools, in the usual highly engineered German fashion. What sets Syntace apart is their extensive testing of their products. They literally abuse their products to death, doing intensive corrosion, impact and hardness testing, along with a lot of detailed hand measurements to keep everything to their exacting standards. They test their products with the VR-3, which is a spiffy computerized tester, that can simulate pushing and pulling loads, alternate those loads on either side of the bars, stems and posts to simulate light to hard impacts, and do those simulations in an iterative process over long periods of time. What that means is they can reproduce, in a short period of time, all the punishment that we would replicate over many years of use. Very real-world testing!

This mechanical adjustable seatpost has three positions, and uses a collet system for locking, a remote cable actuation for release, and air spring for return. The post is an upgrade of last year’s Command Post, and includes innovative quick-release remote, three travel options, improved internals and lighter weight. Collectively, the minor improvements and decreased price make it an outstanding seatpost in the very competitive adjustable seatpost market.

Command Post BlackLite
The Command Post BlackLite (CP) is a mechanical 3-position locking height-adjustable seatpost, that comes in 75, 100 and 125mm ranges, and has a handlebar mounted remote, and single bolt keyed saddle clamp system. It’s available in 30.9mm and 31.6mm diameters, 75, 100 and 125mm travel options, and 330, 380 and 405mm lengths, respectively. The three height settings are the Power position or full extension, Cruiser, which is 35mm below Power, and the Descender, which is the lowest travel position, or 75, 100, 125mm below Power. The CP uses a mechanical collet to lock the stroke in position, and cable lever actuation to release the collet for up and down movement, and air controlled spring for return. The head is bonded into the shaft, and it uses a dual keyway design to keep the lateral twisting at a minimum, and things are protected by triple-lipped wiper with Dual-Lip X-Ring seal. The remote system has a quick-release at the head, and has an inline barrel adjuster for cable tension. The CP weighs 500, 530 and 545 grams, for the increasing travel options.

Installation
I first checked the pressure via its Schrader valve, which is located on the bottom of the post. The pressure range is 20-40 psi, with higher psi causing a faster rebound. Mine was at the minimum of 25 psi (factory default), so I increased it to 30 psi, since I liked a quicker movement. The insertion area of the post has a rough finish, which functions as anti-slippage zone, and helps prevent any creeping,

The remote can be integrated with Specialized locking grips, in which it replaces the lock, or mounted separately on the handlebar, and I choose the latter. I placed the remote snug up against my left Magura MT8 brake, and eyeballed the required cable housing length, and cut the excess off. I then located where I wanted the inline adjuster to be located, cut the cable, and spliced the inline section into the housing. I threaded the cable through the remote, the noodle and housing, and finally into the barrel. Measure out 17mm between the housing ferrule and the bottom of the barrel, and tighten it, and maneuver it into the slot, and pull the housing down into its guide.

Installing the saddle is an easy task due to the one bolt and keyed nut clamp, which use a wedge and rail clamp that each has a groove that holds the saddle’s rails. Just loosen the bolt wide enough, so that the wedge and clamp will allow the rails to pop into the slot, and position the saddle fore and aft, and its horizontal pitch, and then clamp the bolt down tight using a 5mm hex. Make sure that the proper torque (120 in-lb/13.5 Nm) is applied to the bolt, else it the saddle can tilt at an inopportune moment. To perform the final tuning, actuate the remote, and press down on the saddle to the middle position, and let go. If the seat pops up loosen the cable with the inline barrel adjuster, and if the seat won’t go down, tighten the cable. The sweet spot where the cable’s tension works properly is small, and micro turns of the barrel adjuster is all it takes, but once it’s located the system works like a charm.

Measured Specs (125mm travel):

• Command Post weight – 499.5 grams
• Remote w/cable/housing weight – 69.1  grams
• Total weight -  568.6 grams
• Insertion length – 233mm (9.2″)
• Stanchion length – 129mm (5.1″)

Impressions
Being a mechanical system, it has no need for regular maintenance for functionality, it’s reliable, and has great long-term durability. It is still a complex piece of engineering within the CP, but the lack of a finicky hydraulic based system, with the interaction of dampers, oil, seals, and bushings greatly alleviates problems.  The CP uses an activation lever (worked via the remote), which pulls on an internal cable, and releases tension on a collet, so the post is free to move. When tension is released, the collet locks into any of the three different slots, which correspond with the Power, Cruiser and Descender positions. An air spring returns the post upwards, and its force or rebound speed is adjustable by varying the air pressure. The collet has a very solid feel, and its outward pressure and tight tolerances help keep the slop and wiggle to a minimum.

The CP didn’t have any stichion issues, and it slid up and down smoothly, with very little slop felt in the saddle. Compared to hydraulic systems, it did have a more mechanical and clunky feel when it locked into the collet, but I liked how quickly it could be moved between positions, especially the top and bottom locations. The only rare maintenance I have performed is an occasional dab of some Slick Honey lubricant on the stanchion, and keeping the saddle clamp bolt tightened to spec, and checking the air pressure. The seat clamp has been creak and squeak free, and it didn’t move if the bolt was clamped down properly with the proper torque. I made sure the bolt had Blue Loctite applied, and was cranked down hard, else it would loosen, and with the single pivot design, it would put the saddle in some awkward positions when it would happen.

Using the CP system is quite easy, press and hold the remote lever, and either weight the saddle into the lower positions, or unweight, and let it pop up to the desired location, and then release. Some mild weight on the saddle is all it takes to control the downward movement, and the Descender mode is effortless to locate since it stops solidly at the bottom, but the Cruiser or middle spot is trickier to find. Extending the saddle to the top Power mode is simple since it pops upwards to its maximum stop, while the Cruiser takes some slight weighting to control its location. I do admit that the middle position can sometimes be indistinct and hard to locate, especially on the way up, and it takes some practice to learn the sweet spot. The upward return speed can be controlled by adjusting the air pressure (20-40 psi) at the Schrader valve located on the bottom of the seatpost. I have used the infinite adjustable seatposts, and I have found that the CP three positions work just fine, although putting the other posts in the Cruiser range is easier, since there isn’t a notch to have to locate.

The middle Cruiser position was quite handy, and was useful in technical spots and climbs, as it gave you more maneuverability and stability. In addition, it worked well on downhills if the slope wasn’t too steep, letting you keep the saddle out of the way, and your center of gravity low. Any time it got steep and deep, or in really ugly terrain, the Descender mode was used, since it allowed maximum movement without any saddle interference, and you could remain seated with a low centering. The lower spot was tedious to try in pedal in, since it put some awkward pressure on the knee. I really liked how fast the stroke was on the post, and it moved where it was needed lighting quick, with no stichion issues. On occasion, I would hit the remote accidentally when I was trying to shift, and vice versa, due to there close proximity to each other, giving me a somewhat awkward moment. The quick-release for the remote system was pretty sweet, and with a simple couple of moves, the cable could be disconnected from the post, which made cleaning the bike, changing parts or swapping the post to another bike very handy.

Bottom Line
The Specialized Command Post BlackLite that has been reliable, smooth and a very functional three position mechanical seatpost that is simple to use. Having the options of 75, 100 and 125mm of travel, opens up a whole slew of uses, from x-country to freeride. The mechanical system gave me no issues, and the collet and adjustable air spring internals have worked exceptionally well, with three solid locking positions, although the middle one can be indistinct to locate. The remote worked decently, and the inline adjuster was easy to use on the fly, but the lever throw was stiff and awkward to use. The ability to use the quick-release functionality made it handy to swap the seatpost between different bikes, albeit it does require a second remote. The saddle clamp needs to be cranked down tightly, else it can loosen, making for an interesting riding experience.

The Command Post has been a fine mechanical adjustable seatpost, that has done its job without issue, and I enjoyed how stichion free and quick the stroke was.

Strengths

• Reliable and durable
• Simple
• Stroke was fast with no stichion
• Collet locking is solid
• 3 positions
• Quick-release remote system

Weaknesses

• Middle Cruiser position is indistinct
• Air spring return is loud and forceful, some damping would be nice
• Remote lever throw was stiff and awkward

MSRP: $275

Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs

• Visit Specialized CP Website
• 100g lighter than previous model
• Bonded head for a lighter and more secure fitting on seatpost
• Three versions of drop-adjustability for bike and rider size: 125mm, 100mm, and 75mm
• Available in 30.9mm and 31.6mm seatpost diameter
• Quick-release engagement cable on the post head makes setup and removal simple

This infinitely adjustable seatpost is stupendous, with a silky-smooth stroke, and because of its unique hydraulically controlled remote handlebar lever, it has an easy to operate action, and simple installation.  I abused the seatpost for four months, on every imaginable terrain possible, and it has been through rain and snow storms, had sand and dirt tossed at it, and has preformed flawlessly, which is helped fabulously by the custom sealing system.

RockShox Reverb
The Reverb uses an air, oil and spring design for 125mm of infinite seat height adjustment, and is available in two lengths, 380mm and 420mm, as well as two diameters, 30.9mm and 31.6mm. The air spring and fluid are separated by an IFP (internal floating piston), and it uses a snug fitting triple-lipped energized sealing system for protection.  The shaft and head are both made with forged 7050 aluminum alloy, and it uses three brass keys within the collar to keep the lateral twisting at a minimum. The zero offset saddle clamp uses the industry standard 2-bolt attachment system, which offers easy adjustment of tilt, and fore-and-aft placement of the saddle. The Xloc hydraulically actuated remote, which uses 2 wt. suspension fluid, is available in a right or left hand version, and can be pared with SRAM shifters and Avid brakes using their MatchMaker X clamp, or with just the discreet mount. The remote has a speed control adjuster nicknamed the “The Slap or Tickle,” which controls the height return speed.

Measured Spec (31.6mm x 380mm):

• Weight – 544 grams (includes remote)
• Length – 127mm stroke, 380mm

Installation
What immediately sets this adjustable seatpost apart from the competition is the ease of installation.  Insert the post into the seat tube, adjust it to the required height, clamp the saddle into place, fiddle with the hydraulic hose routing along the top tube, and attach the remote on the desired side of the handlebars. I installed the remote on the left side, and used the MatchMaker X clamp with SRAM shifters, which was sort of annoyance getting set properly. After those simple steps, the seatpost can be used without any tuning required, although the hose may require shortening, depending on the bikes set up and geometry, and the routing  that was used. I ran it long for a couple of weeks and didn’t have any issues (I was lazy), but I did get tired of the large loops, and so I went about remedying it. To shorten the hose, put the speed adjuster in the slowest setting, and using a sharp utility knife, slowly cut a slit into the line about a 10mm long  (don’t cut or scratch the barb), and grasp with a pair of pliers and pull the line off. Cut the hose to the desired length, and push it onto the barb, and using pliers twist it into place. Refer to the SRAM “How to shorten the remote hose” video for detailed instructions. It worked perfect after the shortening, and didn’t require any bleeding.

Impressions
Using the system is quite easy, just press and hold the lever, and either weight the saddle into the lower positions, or unweight, and let it pop up to the desired location, and then release. I used it in four locations, at the very bottom, somewhere in the middle, slightly down from the top, and the top position. The actuation of the lever is buttery smooth, without the usual rough and stiff feel that a cable gives, and it provided the same response in any position, and it always remained uber quiet. The speed remained constant throughout the stroke, although when pushing it down to its lowest setting you did need to provide an extra dollop of pressure. I played with the speed control, and left it in the fastest setting, but it was still too slow and viscous for my taste, and I would have preferred more speed, although I think, the tight seals exacerbate the problem. Occasionally, on technical terrain, it would not return quick enough from a lower position to make a precise move, usually resulting in a blown line, or at least causing a moment of hesitation. The stroke has a consistently plush and smooth feel through the entire travel, without any stiction or notchiness, greatly helped by the coated aluminum bushing and low friction brass keys.  I think that 125mm or 5 inches of height adjustment are optimal for All Mountain riding, and the Reverb infinite functionality made great use of the full stroke length. It locks into position wherever it was last adjusted or set at, so it can’t be pulled up during a hike-a-bikes or any sort of saddles grab.

The seatpost is quite an engineering marvel, but with the hydraulic nature of the internals and the remote, it will require more long-term maintenance than a more mechanical setup. Fortunately, the Reverb is easy to bleed (the seatpost comes with a bleed kit), and the replacement of the seals is a fairly straight-forward process, albeit it’s somewhat convoluted, so I would have my LBS perform the procedure. In the four months of my usage, it did not require a bleed, and I would assume that the seals might need to be done every year or two? SRAM provides nice videos for both procedures, refer to “How to bleed the remote system,” and “How to replace the post seals.” The seals have performed admirably, even with the constant use and abuse, and the ugly weather conditions, and sand and dirt tossed at them. Watching the seal replacement video, you can see the expertise and experience of their suspension forks and shocks in the fancy and high tech triple-lipped energized sealing system, and the sundry foam rings, wipers, o-rings, bushing, etc. It uses an energized seal, which is the spring you can see at the top of the seal that holds it on the shaft.

The triple brass keys kept the lateral play to a tolerable minimum of slop, which was noticeable when torquing off the saddle.  The saddle clamp took a few rides to get tightened properly, but once it was settled in, it never loosened again. The bottom cradle for the saddle clamp are long, so odd sized, and titanium and carbon rails are well supported, and the two bolts angle out, so they are easy to tighten with normal-sized tools. Even with all the impressive features, functionality and engineering, the seatpost and remote weigh a very respectable 544 grams for the 31.6 x 380mm size. The unit was durable, but I worried about the somewhat fragile barb by the saddle clamp, as even with the rubber booted protector (aka strain relief), it sits out there in the harm’s way, and on more than a number of occasions I thought I had damaged it?  If something happens to the hydraulic hose or remote, meaning a failure or leak, perhaps during a crash, the seatpost will remain in its last position. This might be a problem if the last position was the lowest setting, since it would make the pedal home excruciating difficult. One odd thing, it makes a funny bubbling or leaking noise from the seals when you jam the saddle down, and I assume it’s just pushing captured air out from the tight seals?

Caveat Emptor: I did not have any issues with this adjustable seatpost in any manner during its four months of abuse, but that doesn’t mean that over a longer period of time that issues may arise? Plenty of people on biking forums and the blogosphere have reported issues with the Reverb, and the same can be said for other manufacturer’s designs. The newer adjustable seatposts are complex, whether hydraulically or mechanically activated, and they are in the infancy (or infamy) of design, so bugs, durability and flaws are bound to crop up. I found the Reverb to work flawlessly, end of the story.

 Bottom Line
The RockShox Reverb is a pretty amazing adjustable seatpost, and the 125mm or 5 inches of infinite adjustment, was buttery smooth and plush throughout its stroke. The innovative and unique hydraulically controlled remote handlebar lever worked like a charm, and had been easy to operate actuation, with a silky-smooth tactile feel. The entire system was simple to install, and was almost plug and play, and outside of shortening the hose,there was no tuning or cable adjustment required. The triple-lipped energized sealing system offers excellent protection, and three brass keys within the collar, create little lateral movement. I do wish it had a slightly faster return speed, and the upper barb sits out in the harm’s way, so I worried about damaging it. Over time, it will require maintenance, such as bleeding and seal replacement, but they are somewhat simple operations, and the latter will be a long-term issue.

I liked the Reverb, as it was durable, smooth, easy to use and install, and has a an excellent hydraulic remote.

Strengths

• Silly smooth movement
• Easy operation and installation
• Hydraulic remote control
• Adjustable return speed
• Excellent seals
• Comes with bleeding kit
• 125mm of infinite adjustment
• Very little lateral movement

Weaknesses

• Fragile barb connector by saddle
• Viscous – even on fastest speed setting
• Long term maintenance – bleeding and seal replacement
• SRAM MatchMaker a pain to setup

MSRP: $274.99

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Reverb Specs:

• Visit the Reverb website at http://www.sram.com/rockshox/products/reverb
• Weight – 535g (1.17 LBS)
• Length – 380mm / 420mm, 125mm Adjustable Range
• Colors – Black
• Material Shaft; 3D Forged 7050 Alloy, Head: 7050 Forged Alloy
• Finish Anodized
• Other – Zero Offset / 2-Bolt, Reverb Remote Actuation: Adjustable return speed at the handlebar
• Available in 30.9mm / 31.6mm Diameters
• 125 mm/5″ of infinite adjustment
• Hydraulic actuation using 2 wt. suspension fluid
• IFP (internal floating piston) separates air spring and fluid
• Remotely operated by Xloc push button (left or right sides to be avail.)
• Return speed adjustable via dial on Xloc remote
• Three-key anti rotation design
• Includes Speed Lube bleed kit

At the end of last year, the suspension company X-Fusion released their new 100mm-travel adjustable seatpost called the HILO or HIgh-LOw. The hydraulic seatpost is infinitely adjustable in its 100 mm range, and can be set up to be either cable actuated from a remote on the handlebar or from a lever under the seat. It weighs approximately 620 grams, and is available in 27.2, 30.9 and 31.6mm diameters. The HILO is hydraulically controlled, and pulling the cable or lever allows oil to pass freely through the post’s chamber, allowing it to move up or down. When released, oil can no longer move, so the post is held in place, holding its height. It uses an air spring to extend the post, which is adjusted by the valve located on its bottom. Lateral twisting at the saddle and clamp interface is alleviated with their Double key-way design. X-Fusion was kind enough to send along a HILO for a quick four week test on my Ibis Mojo HD steed.

Impressions
Installing the seat lever was very simple, and it was easy to make seatpost height adjustments while riding on moderate trails, but when anything remotely technical or tough was encountered it was difficult to reach back and pull the lever. Pulling the lever under the seat provided very smooth operation, and a simple seated downward pressure (push with the butt) put the saddle into whatever height was desired, while upward motion entailed not weighting or sitting on the saddle. The upward movement was also greatly assisted by the subtle hand pull while using the lever. The system’s up and down propagation felt even and occurred at the same relative speed, although it had a somewhat viscous sensation while in motion. The lever system is also handy since it allowed the entire seatpost to be easily swapped between different bike.

I next installed the cable actuated remote system using the instructional drawing that came with the kit. I was finally able get it in place, but the simple pictorial installation guide included with the seatpost wasn’t very useful (they do have a HILO setup guide online). Even though I lubed the cable, and had everything working properly, the remote system seemed a bit stiff and awkward, and it never gave the smooth control like the seat lever provided? I did like the hinged remote clamp, which makes it easier to install on a variety of handlebars, and did not require removing brakes, grips or shifters.

I had some issue with it not raising or lowering fast enough to any position (seat lever and remote based), and neither bumping up the air pressure nor playing with cable barrel adjuster underneath the saddle made much difference. I ride very technical trails, and I want the post to react quickly, and it was too slow for my tastes, although it was fine when I was doing stuff on the normal x-country trails, and easier rock gardens.

I had recently been using a 125mm adjustable seatpost for All Mountain riding, so it was tough to shorten back to 100mm, and I really missed that extra 25mm or 1 inch of height when dealing with steep terrain and ledges, and I found myself getting caught on the back of the saddle on occasion. If you pull up on the saddle when the seatpost is in any lowered position, it moves to its highest position, meaning it’s not locked and is free to move upwards (due to the single volume chamber design). It does return to the original position when you let it go, but I found the movement annoying, as I do lot’s of nasty hiking to get to my favorite sick terrain, and I sometimes need to grab the saddle to pull the bike upwards.

When grabbing the saddle, it didn’t twist much due to the Double key-way design, making it have a very solid feel, without any noticeable slop, and they have one of the tighter systems in this regards. The saddle was really easy to install since it uses a single bolt clamp system, so fore and aft, or tilt is extremely simple to adjust, but you do need to lube the bolt and tighten the heck out of it (17 NM) to prevent slippage, and on rare occasions the saddle still tilted on me when I slammed into a big hit.

Measured Specs:

• Post – 646.9 grams
• Remote system – 77.7 grams?
• Lever 11.8 grams

Here is a short video that MTBR.com’s Francis Cebedo did on the HILO:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Bottom Line
The X-Fusion HILO is a nice infinitely adjustable hydraulic seatpost, and it provided very smooth operation throughout its 100mm of travel. The HILO seemed more applicable to X-Country than All Mountain riding, due to the height limitation of its travel and viscosity (slowness) of the movement. The seat lever system worked extremely well, especially on easy to moderate terrain, and it provided excellent operation and precision in its usage, and made the post swappable between bikes. The remote worked adequately, but was stiff and awkward to use. When the HILO was lowered, and you grabbed the saddle, it would rise to the highest position, and made a hike-a-bike portaging more difficult.

Strengths

• Seat lever system was simple, easy to use and made it swappable between bikes
• Tight
• Smooth operation

Weaknesses

• Remote system was stiff and awkward
• Needs more sizes – 125mm and maybe 80mm
• Saddle clamp can slip
• Raises in lowered positions when the saddle is grabbed
• Viscous (slow) in movement

MSRP: $250

Overall Rating: 3.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

X-Fusion Company HILO 100 Specs and Features:
Adjustments height seatposts are improving the way that mountain bikers ride everywhere. All riders can benefit from moving the seat down for added stability on descents or increasing the seat height for climbing. X-Fusion has been manufacturing hydraulic systems for over 10 years so it was natural for us to jump into this emerging product segment. Our goal is to create the most durable, most reliable adjustable height seatpost on the market.

• Visit the X-Fusion HILO 100 website
• Hydraulic design allows for smooth adjustability
• Double key-way design prevents lateral twisting
• Passes CEN testing for fatigue and impact
• Wide range of seatpost angle adjustment
• Optional handlebar remote
• Easily convertible from lever-actuation to remote handlebar actuation or vice-versa
• Travel – 100mm
• Weight – 620g
• OD – 27.2 / 30.9 / 31.6 mm
• Options – Seat Post Angle Adjustable Infinitive Travel Adjustable Remote Control
• Colors – mat silver, black

I am really liking the Specialized Command Post adjustable seatpost, which uses a mechanical system with an adjustable air spring, and has three locking positions, and a simple one bolt saddle clamp that is easily to install and tune the saddle’s position.

Specialized Command Post
The Command Post (CP) is a mechanical 3-position locking height adjustable seatpost, with a 100mm range, a handlebar mounted remote, a single bolt keyed saddle clamp system, and is available in 31.6mm x 400mm and 30.9mm x 400mm size options. The three height settings are the Power position or full extension, Cruiser, which is 35mm below Power, and the Descender, which is 100mm below Power. The remote lever comes as a left handed version by default, but a right one can be ordered. The CP weighed in at 525 grams, not including the remote.

Measured Specs
Command Post weight – 525.2 grams
Remote w/cable/housing weight – 62.3 grams
Insertion length – 206mm (8 1/8″)
Stanchion length – 102mm (4″)

Installation
I first checked the pressure via its Schrader valve, which is located on the bottom of the post. The pressure range is 25-35 psi, with higher psi causing a faster rebound. Mine was at the minimum of 25 psi (factory default), so I left it that way. The insertion area of the post has a rough finish, which functions as anti-slippage zone, and helps prevent any creeping. I placed the remote snug up against my left Magura Louise brake, and eyeballed the required cable housing length, and cut the excess off. I inserted the proprietary cable through the remote, the right angle pipe and into the housing. The messy portion started next. I ran the cable up through the post’s barrel adjuster, and meshed in the cable’s housing. The cable is tweaked up over a sharp bend on top of the activation lever, and is clamped down with a pinch bolt and washer using a 3mm hex. The lever doesn’t have a groove for the cable, so it’s difficult to clamp things down properly. With the sharp bend and the lack of a grooved slot, I had issues getting it snugged down, and proceeded to crush and damage the cable. Once everything was installed, I needed to tune the cable’s tension, which required re-clamping the cable, exasperating the already crushed cable. Since the cable is proprietary (it has a barrel end piece), you need to get another one from your LBS or Specialized, though for 2011, they have updated the remote, and it will accept a standard shifter cable.

Installing the saddle is an easy task due to the one bolt and keyed nut clamp, which use a wedge and rail clamp that each has a groove that holds the saddle’s rails. Just loosen the bolt wide enough (make sure the bolt is well greased), so that the wedge and clamp will allow the rails to pop into the slot, and position the saddle fore and aft, and its horizontal pitch, and then clamp the bolt down tight using a 5mm hex.

To perform the final tuning, actuate the remote, and press down on the saddle to the middle position, and let go. If the seat pops up loosen the cable with the barrel adjuster, and if the seat won’t go down, tighten the cable. The sweet spot where the cable’s tension works properly is small, and micro turns of the barrel adjuster is all it takes, but once it’s located the system works like a charm.

Impressions
Using the system is quite easy, just press and hold the lever, and either weight the saddle into the lower positions, or unweight, and let it pop up to the desired location, and then release. Lowering the saddle is extremely easy for the Descender mode since it stops solidly at the bottom, but the Cruiser spot is trickier to find, and does take some practice. Just some mild weight on the saddle is all it takes to control the downward movement. Extending the saddle to the Power mode is simple since it pops upwards to the maximum stop, while the Cruiser takes some slight weighting to control its location. It takes some practice to learn the sweet spot for the Cruiser, but it becomes second nature pretty quickly, and can even be controlled in rough terrain or when moving around on the bike. I have used the infinite adjustable seatposts, and I have found that the 3 positions works just fine, although putting the other posts in the Cruiser range is easier, since there isn’t a notch to have to locate.

What I like about the CP is its simplicity. Being a mechanical system, it has no need for regular maintenance for functionality, it’s reliable, and has great long term durability. The CP didn’t have any stiction issues, and it slid up and down along smoothly, with very little slop felt in the saddle.

It is still a complex piece of engineering within the CP, but the lack of a finicky hydraulic based system, with dampers, oil, seals, and bushings greatly alleviates problems. The CP uses an activation lever (worked via the remote), which pulls on an internal cable, and releases tension on a collet, so the post is free to move. When tension is released, the collet locks into any of the three different slots, which correspond with the Power, Cruiser and Descender positions. An air spring returns the post upwards, and its force or rebound speed is adjustable by varying the air pressure. The collet has a very solid feel, and its outward pressure and tight tolerances help keep the slop and wiggle to a minimum.

The only maintenance I have performed is an occasional dab of some Slick Honey lubricant on the stanchion, and keeping the saddle clamp bolt well lubbed. I checked the air pressure, a number of times, and it never varied. The seat clamp has been creak and squeak free, and it didn’t move if the bolt was clamped down properly. The rough anti-slip zone on the post insertion area helped it from slipping lower, but it would oddly rotate on rare occasions.

The middle Cruiser position was quite handy, and was useful in technical spots and climbs, as it gave you more maneuverability and stability. In addition it worked well on downhills where the slope wasn’t as steep, letting you keep the saddle out of the way, and your center of gravity low. Any time it got steep and deep, or in really ugly terrain, the Descender mode was used, since it allowed maximum movement without any saddle interference, or you could remain seated with a low centering. On occasion I would hit the remote accidentally when I was trying to shift, and vice-versa, due to there close proximity to each other, giving me a somewhat awkward moment.

Bottom Line
I have enjoyed my time with the Specialized Command Post, and it has been reliable, smooth and a very functional post. The saddle rail clamp is an especially sweet feature, and allows easy micro adjustment of the position and pitch, and it has been creak free. The somewhat complex mechanical system gave me no issues, and the collet and adjustable air spring internals have worked exceptional well, with three solid locking positions, although the upward return can be a fast clunk. The remote works fine, although the top of the activation lever needs a groove to prevent the cables crushing.

The Command Post has been a fine mechanical adjustable seatpost, that has done its job without issue. It has made my riding more enjoyable and functional, since with a tap of the remote lever, the saddle height can be quickly changed, anywhere that the terrain requires an alteration.

Strengths
- Reliable and durable
- Simple
- No stiction
- No slop
- Collet locking is solid
- 3 positions

Weaknesses
- Remote requires proprietary cable (2011 will use normal shift cable)
- Lack of cable groove on the activation lever
- Air spring return is loud and forceful, some damping would be nice
- Sticky remote

MSRP: $300

Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs
- On-the-fly adjustable ride via a handlebar mounted lever
- Keyed, locking system eliminates saddle movement
- Exclusive mechanical 3-position locking height adjustment: full extension, 100mm drop, and 35mm cruiser position
- 4″ (100 mm) of height adjustment
- Remote lever only – both left and right hand versions available
- Sizes: 31.6 mm and 30.9 mm diameters with 400mm length
- Weight: 520 grams (post only)

Syncros started out as a small, high end component company based out of Vancouver’s North Shore, and was purchased by Ritchey Design in 2003, but it’s still managed as a separate brand, catering more towards the gravity crowd. The Syncros Freakin’ Light (FL) series, is their cross country oriented product suite, and covers their stems, handlebars, seatposts, saddle, rims, wheelsets and headsets. Of course, you can also replace call F###in’ Light if you wish, but I will remain PC in cyber space. I tested their FL stem, bar, saddle and seatpost, and I’m happy to report they all worked and functioned quite well.

FL Saddle
The Syncros FL saddle is my new favorite saddle, mostly because it’s a climber’s dream, allowing you to punch out steep terrain, giving you maximum leverage, with comfort, stability and maneuverability. The cross country oriented saddle, is slim, has a composite shell, titanium alloy rails, superlight foam, a leather cover and aramid rear and nose panels. It has a groove that runs down the top center for pressure relief, and is available in white (tested) or black.

The saddle is firm, and offers plenty of support for those hammering sessions, but it has enough padding to be comfortable for long rides, greatly aided by the shell flex and the titanium allow rails (CrN/Ti). Where the FL really shines, is in steep and ugly climbs, in which the nose section is predominantly used. The nose of the saddle has just the proper padding and shape, to be an excellent place to sit your butt to crank your way uphill or through technical terrain, whether it’s mild or wild. It’s like having a pry bar or lever arm, to push power down into the bike’s drivetrain, while still maintaining a neutral balance. You can maneuver up and down the snout of the nose, depending upon the requirements, pressing your legs together to hold the nose or sitting up on the tip for maximum advantage. It’s not the lightest saddle on the market at 266 grams, but its climbing prowess sure helps with that deficit. The aramid rear and nose panels, have really helped the durability of the saddle, and my multiple crashes have caused no signs of distress, and outside of a few subdued wrinkles in the leather it still looks good.

I give high marks to the Syncros SL saddle and highly recommend it, it’s comfortable, durable, with the best nose section I have used, and is my current undisputed climbing King!

Measured Specs
Weight – 265.8 grams
Size – 137mm wide x 280mm long
Nose width – 47mm

MSRP: $80

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Syncros SL Saddle Company Specs
Intended use: XC / Marathon
New to the syncros saddle lineup, the FL saddle is built on a slim but comfortable composite shell, Ti rails, and superlight foam
Lighter, sleeker version of the AM saddle.
Leather cover with aramid rear panels to withstand abuse from crashes
Contoured foam in center section to relief sit bone pressure zones
CrN/Ti alloy rails
Available in white or black
Weight: 236g

Syncros Saddle URL

FL Carbon Riser Bars
The Syncros FL Carbon riser handlebars are the stiffest bars I have ever used, and I never felt any flex from these bad boys, no matter what terrain I was on, or how hard I pulled on them. I think these suckers could be used in a tractor pulling contest.

The FL Carbon bars are made from their Gain carbon fiber composite, use a 31.8mm clamp, are 645mm/25.4″ wide, with a 9 degree sweep and 25mm/1″ rise and are available in a Matte or grunge finish. They weighed in at 170 grams, which were 10 grams under spec! I tested the Matte finish, which I liked a lot, since I am a big fan of the carbon fiber weave. It took me a few tries to get the bars positioned where they felt comfortable for my hands, but once set, the sweep and rise felt just right. Their width worked quite well in the tight woods, but they were slightly narrow (645mm) for some terrain, and I would have liked to have some additional width options. Although I liked the instant power that their uber stiffness provided, I found the total rigidity fatiguing to my hands and arms sometimes, and I would have preferred a hint of give. A quick glance at the ends of the bar, shows the thickness of their rigid tubing, as these aren’t thin walled, which also made it difficult to find end caps that will fit the small opening. The stiffness is a matter of taste, and some may prefer the rigidity, while I wanted a tad of forgiveness? The stem clamp section of the bar provides a nice anti-slip section (glued on gritty tape?), which helps with slippage and durability.

The Syncros SL Carbon riser bars are sickeningly stiff, tough, with decent rise and sweep, and though slightly narrow, they offer an extreme amount of pulling power, and look good with the matte finish.

Measured Specs:
weight – 169.5 grams
width – 645mm
rise – 25mm

MSRP: $190

Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Syncros FL Carbon Bar Company Specs
Intended use: All Mtn / Hardcore XC
Material: carbon fiber composite
Rise: 25mm
Width: 660mm
Sweep: 9 degree
Clamp size: OS (31.8mm)
Finish: Matte UD carbon or UD carbon grunge
Weight: 180g

Syncros Bars URL

FL Seatpost
The Syncros FL Seatpost uses forged 7075 aluminum alloy, and comes in the usual sizes of 27.2, 30.9, 31.6mm and lengths of 350 and 400mm. It’s not a light seatpost, coming in at 223.2 grams in the tested 30.9×400 size, but it was plenty stiff, and I never felt any flex nor sloppiness from either the post or clamping system. It comes in HP Black, HP Black with Grunge (tested), Matte White and Matte White with Grunge. The Grunge graphics did seem to get scratched in places, but the height adjustment numbering on the rear of the post has been very durable.

The FL Seatpost design is a slight departure from its predecessor and most other double bolt systems, as the post has the convex surface, and the saddle rail cradle is concave. The design uses a pair of opposing bolts, which start on the post, and go up past the saddle rail cradle and into the upper clamp, where a set of threaded barrel nuts reside. The saddle rail cradle can be swapped forward or backward, allowing a subtle amount of layback offset. The system is relatively easy to use once the rails are in place, but it can be a slight fumble finger mess getting them into a stable position. Once the saddle is somewhat stabilized, you can make micro adjustments for the desired saddle angle and lateral positioning, although it can be tough squeezing in a hex key. One issue I had was that a lot of modern frames have some pretty slack seat tube angles, and you might not be able to level the saddle without using a longer bolt? A lot of these issues are common to this type of clamping systems, so the FL Seatpost is not in the minority.

Overall the FL Seatpost was a good post, it was stiff, durable, and looks nice (loved the HP Black Grunge), but I am not a fan of the two bolt clamping system any longer, and I had issues in a frame with slack seat tube angle. Their design of the clamping system is unique and does allow some offset tuning. I have had a Syncros Ti seatpost for almost 20 years (?), so they are long lived.

Measured Spec:
223.2 grams – 30.9×400

MSRP: $84-92

Overall Rating: 3.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Syncros FL Seatpost Company Specs
3D Net forged 7075 alloy
Diameters: 27.2 / 30.9 / 31.6mm
Lengths: 350 / 400mm
Finishes: High polish black, HP black with grunge, matte white, matte white with grunge
Weight: 222g (30.9 x 400mm)

Syncros Seatpost URL

FL Stem
The Syncros FL Stem has smooth lines, without any sharp edges, a cutout at the back of the clamp area, and a lot of subtly removed surface material, all of which help reduce weight. The CNC stem is made with a bi-oval design, for maximum strength and weight savings, and is uses a 4-D cold forged 2014 aluminum alloy. The stem has a 6 degree rise, and can be flip flopped if desired, as the graphics are already designed for that function (only HP Black and Matte White). The simple four bolt front plate is a carbon bar friendly clamp, and the stem is available in 70, 80, 90, 100 and 110mm sizes, in the colors of HP Black, Matte White, and Black or White Grunge.

The stem was a snap to install, although I had to be careful, since the bolt heads seemed easy for the hex key to slip (might have been me)? I tested the 70mm, since it was the perfect accompaniment for my All Mountain rig. The stem has been durable, and has been taken on and off, and several bars swapped in and out during my testing period. The graphics on the HP Black are simple and subdued, and haven’t worn or scratched as yet.

The FL Stem looks good, with aesthetically pleasing lines, was stiff, light (113 grams) and blended into the background, and I never really thought about it much, since it did its job to perfection. I sign of a great component is when you forget it’s there.

Measured Spec:
Weight – 113.5 grams for 70mm size
Stack Height – 45mm
Length – 65mm

MSRP: $92

Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Syncros FL Stem Specs
Intended use: XC / Marathon
Forged and CNC machined out of 2014 alloy using a patented 4D net manufacturing process
Black taper-head stainless steel bolts
Bi-oval design maximizes strength and minimizes weight
Engineered to be compatible with carbon handlebars and steerers
Lengths: 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 / 110mm
+/- 6 degree rise/drop
Four finish options: Available in high polish black or matte white with flip flop logo, HP black grunge or matte white grunge
Weight: 113g (70mm)

Syncros Stem URL

The fi’zi:k Cyrano is fi’zi:k’s first foray into the seatpost business, and it is definitely full of innovations. The Cyrano is a nice looking seatpost, with some neat etching and graphics, which subtlety play into its smooth lines. The Cyrano tube is made from 3D forged 7075 aluminum, and uses thicker walls fore and aft for strength, and thinner walls on the sides for weight savings.

For additional weight savings, the bottom portion that inserts into the seat tube has thinner walls, and the bottom end is cut at an angle with more material towards the front where the force is leveraged while seated. Another interesting innovation is a small silicone ring, that marks the seatpost insertion height, and will also keep the gunk from getting into the seat tube.

The steel two bolt clamp system is a nicely engineered and is full of mini innovations. The thumbwheel performs angle adjustment, while the rear bolts snugs it down. It works somewhat like the yoke clamp system found on weight weenie posts, so you have to loosen one bolt and tighten on the other, back and forth until the angle and saddle are snug. Saddle insertion is quite easy, and the saddle rails just easily pop into the clamp slots.

The bottom clamp is long, which helps cradle the saddle rails, which is advantageous for fragile hollowed tube and carbon rails, or those with odd shapes, such as fi’zi:k own ovaloid carbon rails. The top clamp is shorter, which allows the saddle to be positioned farther fore or aft. The bottom clamp needs to be longer, since that is where most of the load gets exerted.

Fi’zi:k Cyrano specs
Sizes 27.2, 30.9, 31.6, 34.9
Lengths 270, 350, 400
MSRP approx. $100

Fi’zi:k also has some new mountain bike grips coming out, they are dubbed the X-Country Grip for now. The grips come with an additional cover, so you can swap in either black or white/gray. The lock-on grips have a nice look and feel to them.