KS LEV Circuit Wireless Dropper Post
Words Liam Friary
Images Ralph Cabansag
RRP $799
Distributor Everoutdoor
Wireless droppers are in vogue lately. KS has thrown its hat firmly into the ring with the LEV Circuit. Let’s start with what makes this thing tick. The LEV Circuit is KS’s answer to the wireless dropper question, building on the proven internals from their well- regarded LEV series, but cutting the cord entirely.
No cables, no housing, no internal routing headaches. Just a Bluetooth connection between the remote and the post. Simple as.
Installation is a breath of fresh air. Drop the post in, clamp it down, pair the remote via Bluetooth, and you’re sorted. It literally took less than five minutes. It was a real pleasure when compared to wrestling internal cables through modern frames. The whole setup took me maybe twenty minutes, and most of that was just getting the saddle height dialled in. The remote runs on a standard CR2032 battery, while the post itself has a rechargeable battery that slots in neatly. Everything you need comes in the box: remote, battery, charger. Job done.
The post itself is available in 31.6 and 30.9mm versions of the Circuit, with travel set at 125, 150, 175, maxing out at a very respectable 200mm. KS has clearly thought about modern geometry here, with total post lengths that should fit most frames without too much drama. The adjustable air pressure at the base of the post lets you dial in the return speed to your preference, which is a nice touch. Mechanically, it’s nearly identical to the standard LEV, just flipped around. The air valve for adjusting return speed sits at the bottom of the post, while a small motor up top opens the hydraulic valve when you hit the remote.
The rechargeable 450 mAh battery slides in behind the seat clamp, keeping things tidy. KS reckons it’ll run for up to eight weeks on a charge under normal use, and it takes about 4.5 hours to top up with the included charger. The remote uses a CR2032 coin cell that should last around eight months, with an LED that flips from green to red when it’s time for a swap. You can grab one from any petrol station or supermarket if needed. I’ve had that happen on a few occasions, so it’s worth having a spare and double-checking battery life before rolling out.
Now, let’s talk about how this post performs on the trail. The actuation is noticeably smooth and light. There’s something almost effortless about how it drops when you press that remote button while weighted on the saddle. It doesn’t fight you at all. I have been running wireless dropper posts for more than a few years and rate them highly. I did revert back to a cable-actuated dropper with a recent test bike and actually forgot about how much more I use the electronic version when compared to the mechanical. Put simply – you press the button, the post drops. It’s that straightforward, and after a few rides, you stop thinking about it entirely. The remote lever itself is large and easy to reach, with a response time that’s very quick. The amount of force required is fairly light, and the post slides smoothly out of the way without much effort. It’s on par with the RockShox Reverb AXS for how little effort it takes to get the seat out of the way.
The post is built tough, too. An IP67 rating means it’s dust-tight and properly water- resistant. Precision keyways keep everything stable with virtually no play. This is something I’ve been checking for religiously, and so far, there’s been nothing to report. No slop, no wiggle, just solid performance.
But, there are some downsides. The return speed sits somewhere in the middle of the pack. It’s not sluggish by any means, but it’s not lightning-quick either. You can tune it a bit with air pressure, and I found adding a few extra psi helped. When it’s time to raise the seat for a climb, you hold down the remote and it returns to full extension, but this is where the Reverb AXS has the edge. That post extends much more quickly than the Circuit. I inflated the Circuit to 180 psi, the max recommended, and even then, I’d call the return speed adequate, but not amazing.
On rides with more rolling terrain, where the seat is constantly being adjusted, the difference between the Circuit and the Reverb AXS is noticeable. The Circuit is a little less eager to fully extend. Of course, not everyone wants a super speedy post, and I wouldn’t call the Circuit slow, at all – it’s just not the fastest out there.If you’re coming from a post that rockets back to full extension, you might notice the difference. It gets the job done, just not with any particular flair.
The remote lets the package down a bit. For a post at this price point, the remote feels cheaper than it should. Don’t get me wrong, it’s functional and does what it’s meant to do, but the construction feels a touch flimsy. It’s not that it’s going to fall apart on you, but for the price, you’d expect the remote to feel a bit more premium. The button action is fine, and the ergonomics are decent, but the overall build quality just doesn’t quite match the post itself.
The price of the post is up there but not nearly as expensive as the new RockShox Reverb AXS. Wireless convenience does come at a cost, however. If you’re building up a new bike or already running wireless shifting, the LEV Circuit makes more sense. But if you’re thinking about replacing a perfectly good mechanical dropper, you’ll need to really value that cable-free experience.
One thing worth mentioning is the serviceability. KS has a decent reputation for support, and the post uses their proven hydraulic valve design that sits at the top of the unit. Time will tell how this holds up long term, but the company has a solid track record with their LEV series, so I would back them.
After several months of riding, the LEV Circuit has been rock solid. The Bluetooth connection has been flawless, never dropping signal or acting up. The actuation remains smooth and consistent, and the post hasn’t developed any play or quirks. It just works, which is exactly what you want from a dropper.
KS has delivered an impressive wireless dropper here. The smooth action alone is worth noting, and the battery life means you’re not constantly worrying about charging. Believe me, this can suck and ruin your riding experience. Installation is straightforward, and the performance has been reliable. For riders who value smooth, light actuation and don’t want to deal with cables, this post could be a good option.
If you’re in the market for a wireless dropper and want something that feels effortless to use, the LEV Circuit deserves serious consideration. When you’re out on the trail, pressing that button and getting the saddle to drop away without any resistance, you’ll improve the riding experience.
