The Easton Haven is identical to the Turbine seatpost from Race Face. Both products use technology from 9point8. The post is only available as a version for internally routed cables and comes with a choice of 100, 125 or 150 millimetres of infinitely adjustable travel. We rode the 125 millimeter version as no other version was available at the time of testing. It works mechanically by means of a cable pull. For those who ride their bike with a 1x setup, there is an optional remote lever, which is positioned parallel to the handlebars in the same way as the shift lever.

For those who ride their bike with a 1x setup, there is an optional remote lever.

Mounting

If you think you can simply fit the seatpost without instructions, you're wrong. The assembly itself is actually not particularly difficult, but you are well advised to follow the instructions exactly. The support must be fitted meticulously, otherwise it will not work properly. It took us two attempts, but we hardly had any worries afterwards.

The importance of precise assembly was demonstrated when we rode an identical model on a test bike, where the assembly was probably not perfect. We had to re-install the cable because the post kept causing problems. After that, it worked perfectly again.

Up and down with ease

When we fitted the dropper post in March, there was still plenty of snow at our office location and we were able to test whether Easton's claim was true and whether the telescopic dropper post worked without grumbling even at very low temperatures. To do this, the bike and support had to endure two nights on the balcony at minus 15 degrees. However, the freezing shock did not affect the Haven. It was still going up and down the next morning.

In general, the Vario seat post worked perfectly. Except on three days with very high humidity. There we had problems with it suddenly dropping and no longer being able to lock. However, this could be rectified immediately by briefly increasing the cable tension and then screwing it back again. The prop then ran smoothly again.

The release lever requires a little more force to operate than those from other manufacturers, but this is not a disadvantage. The ribbed lever shape offers good grip on the thumb.

Conclusion

Even after eight months of use, the Easton Haven still does what it was made for: it rides up and down on command - no matter the temperature. For us, it goes up a little too fast. But after a few rides you get used to it.

www.eastoncycling.com