Right from the start, Kind Shock was one of the top dogs and trailblazers when it came to dropper posts. The current LEV now has to defend the title in the test. It is controlled from the outside, whereby the train does not move because the cable attaches to the collar.
Kind Shock LEV: Specifications
Diameter: 30,9 / 31,6 / 34,9mm
Hub: 100 / 125 / 150mm
Control: External, fixed
remote: Zug
inner workings: Plumber
Price: € 469,00
Kind Shock LEV: Dimensions test prop
Effective Stroke: 122 mm
Minimum insertion depth: 120 mm
Maximum usable length: 270 mm
Seat height retracted: 63 mm
Weight 522g (150cm line)
Kind Shock LEV: Assembly
The LEV is also one of the easy-to-assemble specimens. The cable is threaded into the lever and runs to the support in a plastic sleeve. Here a "claw" is clamped with a grub screw, which is clipped onto the trigger. It sits in a small box on the collar of the post, on the non-moving part. This means that the cable does not move when you adjust it, which is very pleasant. The Kind Shock LEV thus combines the advantages of external and internal routing. The lever is quite ordinary, but there is an alternative trigger variant.
Kind Shock LEV: Processing
The processing of the Kind Shock LEV deserves attention. Parts of the saddle clamp as well as the operating lever are made of carbon. For this purpose, the saddle clamp can be rotated to allow free positioning of the cable outlet. The cover on the control box is sealed. Cable and cover are made of plastic and are particularly light, but the quality does not match the rest of the well-made support, the function is better with an ordinary shifter cable and a suitable cover.
Kind Shock LEV: Function
Kind Shock's LEV is one of the "longest-serving" dropper posts on the market for a reason. It has been available almost unchanged for several years and has many fans - with good reason, as our test shows. The extension speed is just right and can also be adjusted to your own wishes via the air pressure. The clamping head of the seat post is a great solution, which can be twisted and fixed in small steps - this way the connection for the train moves to the desired position. In any case, the variant with an external line and a fixed connection to the support is a very attractive option, especially for those who still have a frame without the option of internal routing.
The LEV is also a popular choice among weight weenies - carbon on the saddle clamp and on the remote underline the lightweight construction claim of the Kind Shock post. This concept also includes the plastic cable that controls the support instead of a train. Unfortunately, the operating forces on the lever, which is quite decent overall, increase significantly. In any case, we would recommend using a conventional steel cable - even if the weight increases by a few grams.
