The skepticism about whether the carbon shaft would last could not be suppressed. "If they sell something like this, it should actually last" was my recurring thought. But even the joy during assembly trumped negative thoughts: the Lev Ci is really beautifully finished and the shaft seems to be robustly glued to the sockets. The carbon is also the only feature that sets the Ci apart from the normal Lev. However, one difference can be seen on the scales: The Ci weighs 531 grams, including cable and remote. That's around 90 grams less than the aluminum version. That's not much at first glance, but anyone who races or wants a "slim" bike knows that every gram counts.

The post is mounted in the same way as the other KS posts with internal cable pull. The assembly paste for carbon parts is also used here. It increases the hold of the post in the seat tube with the same tightening torque of the clamp. KS supplies an anti-slip sticker for remote mounting, which is attached to the clamped area on the handlebars - a must, especially for carbon handlebars. It is advisable to determine the exact position of the remote before attaching the sticker.

Smooth thumb lever and technical updates

The seat post looks inconspicuous on my enduro bike. As it disappears deep into the seat tube due to my short legs and low seat height, there is little of the carbon look to admire. Regardless, it has to work, and it does so perfectly and without the left thumb having to exert a lot of force when releasing it.

The thumb lever for single-speed drivetrains (no shift lever on the left) can be adjusted to personal requirements in terms of grip height, angle and length. A little fiddly, but then the lever can be operated perfectly and without twisting the thumb. Even after prolonged use. After a season with the same cable - provided it is not corroded - the release still works very smoothly.

However, there are updates to the remote that have not yet made it into the test: The Southpaw thumb levers now come with a closed, lightweight clamp made of polycarbonate to slide onto the handlebars as well as a hinge clamp made of aluminum, instead of the two-piece clamp as shown in the picture gallery. In theory at least, the new clamps should be much easier to fit. Furthermore, the Southpaw is now also available with a carbon lever, thanks to which a few more grams can be saved.

Carbon shaft - resistant or not?

As mentioned at the beginning, there were some doubts at the start as to whether the prop shaft would withstand the stresses of a fall. You would first have to crash "properly" to find out. Races provide an ideal test environment in this respect, as the limits are often exceeded. That's what I did: during an enduro race, I had a proper tumble. During the material check afterwards, only the saddle was 180 degrees upside down. On closer inspection later, there was no sign of any damage to the shaft. Even six months and two small falls later, the shaft is still as robust as ever. Only the lateral play of the standpipe has become slightly larger, but not so much that it would be annoying when riding.

Tight but...

The Lev Ci still works perfectly even after the long test phase. Whether in dust or mud, the seal holds up. However, caution is advised when washing. If you like to hit it with a jet of water, you run the risk of it penetrating. "Sponge it over" is the right attitude in this context. Because of my own impatience, I was a regular guest at the car wash, so I could foresee a loss of smooth running. By removing the dirt wiper (a seal that can be unscrewed), simply cleaning with a clean cloth and a little silicone spray, the "problem" was solved and the usual smooth running was restored. However, the better option is still to wash your bike carefully with a bucket, brush and sponge!

Conclusion

The Lev Ci from KS is a strong piece, from its workmanship, weight and function to its durability, even in wet weather. This variable seatpost is therefore also ideally suited for rough use and appeals to enduro racers as well as weight-conscious touring bikers. Only the dirt wiper could be a little more robust, although the wash cycle with the hard water jet is not entirely fair.

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