Anyone had time on both of these posts? Is it worth 125 bucks and a few grams to upgrade? Or should I consider spending more to switch to another brand entirely.
Background: I've had my joplin R for ~1 year on my Ibis Mojo.
I love the adjustable seatpost concept - it has changed my riding dramatically and would not want to do without it.
I like the Joplin product ... just OK. It's failed on me once completely requiring a trip back to the factory (and in the middle of a two week mtb vacation), and I've had enough issues with it seizing up and acting erratic to make me not feel the love. And I try to pretend that I've gotten used to the play in the seat, but truth be told it harshes my mellow sometimes.
I wouldn't mind the extra inch of drop, and CB says that this version works better...
Anyhow, any reactions from anyone who has had time on both of these would be much appreciated, as would comparisons of Joplin 4 vs. other options.
I've been riding the Joplin for about a year and am faced with the same delimma. I've been thinking of sending mine in w/ $125 and getting the Joplin 4, but I've had the same issues with my tempermental Joplin. It always seems to be screwed up (soft at the top, soft at the bottom, stuck all together). I feel like I've been burnt by CB once on this and I would also like to here from someone on the reliability of the Joplin 4 vs. the Joplin.
Bottom line, right now, I'm saving my $125 and looking at other brands as a replacement. $125 cash and the little bit of money you could get out of your Joplin on Ebay would get you real close to a "better, more reliable" seatpost. IMHO
I'd sit on the $ and wait for one of the new offerings from X-Fusion or Rock Shox. Supposedly the Joplin 4 is improved over the original, but I'm more or less done with CB.
As someone pointed out in the adjustable seatpost thread, it shouldn't be that hard to make one of these that hits all the boxes, including reliability. My Joplin went back to CB for a warranty damper rebuild, and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. After a few exchanges, I had my LBS step in and talk to them, and supposedly then CB decided to do the rebuild. I got the post back in a box with no documentation, so I don't know what they did, but the seal has the same gap it did before, and there is still some (although less) play/rotation around the seatpost axis. Sigh.
This is why I always like to wait for the second or third generation of anything innovative. Takes some time to work out the kinks, tho CB seems to always have issues unless your dealing with there really high end stuff.. Like said above X-fusion and Rock Shox are coming out soon. With X-fusion trying to make a name for themselves, and good ol RS I mean honestly how hard is it to make an adjustable seatpost when you already make shocks, and forks??? I say wait for the new offerings!
And with all this talk lately of adjustable posts, I find it hard to believe that the Gravity Dropper is not part of the conversations. It has a solid history of reliability. It will always be more reliable due to it's spring.
Put a shim on the seatpost to fit, and run it for years with an annual greasing that takes 2 minutes.
I have three Joplins so I can make sure I have one when I send the others back. Yep, they're that bad... and that great. All of mine have the new internals now and they do seem a LITTLE bit better, but I still end up pumping air out of them at least once per ride to get rid of the softness.
Bottom line, if they were more reliable I would be extremely stoked, but I will keep using them anyway.
I have three Joplins so I can make sure I have one when I send the others back. Yep, they're that bad... and that great. All of mine have the new internals now and they do seem a LITTLE bit better, but I still end up pumping air out of them at least once per ride to get rid of the softness.
Bottom line, if they were more reliable I would be extremely stoked, but I will keep using them anyway.
(And with all this talk lately of adjustable posts, I find it hard to believe that the Gravity Dropper is not part of the conversations. It has a solid history of reliability. It will always be more reliable due to it's spring).
Ive got about 3 months on a KS and so far so good. Its like the joplin except it doesnt move when you pick up the seat. It also has an inch more travel than the joplin 4. I dont about the long term reliability yet, but it seems very well built. It works exactly how i always wished gravity dropper and cb worked. The gd was good, just a pain to hit that 1" stop sometimes.
I use a few of the Adjustable seat post on my bikes already, I favor the KS post. 5" drop. I have that on my Mojo as well. love it. If you are going to spend 125+shipping 2-way. Might as well buy the KS.
All posts has a bit of pros and cons, you'll learn to live with it soon enough.
Lately I can't get a hold of KS rep so I don't know if the customer service is going to be an issue.
I have three Joplins so I can make sure I have one when I send the others back. Yep, they're that bad... and that great. All of mine have the new internals now and they do seem a LITTLE bit better, but I still end up pumping air out of them at least once per ride to get rid of the softness.
Bottom line, if they were more reliable I would be extremely stoked, but I will keep using them anyway.
I've got two Joplins . I figured the same thing, I've always got one while the other is being rebuilt. I did a 5 day bike trip last month and ended up taking both Joplins and a Thompson just in case both Joplins failed. Adjustable seatposts are like a drug, I tried it just for fun, I liked it, and now I can't do without it. :lol:
Not worth it, get the KS and sell your Joplin on ebay. Been through two Joplins and a Joplin 4. Complete crap. Customer service from Crank Brothers in the UK is superb, can't fault it but the posts are no robust enough. My opinion based on plenty of first hand experience.
EG one Joplin post serviced 3 times in 6mnths under warranty. My KS, no issue whatsoever in the same time
My Joplin 4 lasted four rides. It would have required full overhaul after that but CB doesn't provide instructions for that nor spare parts directly to end user (atleast CRC doesn't carry them). In the end I sent it back to Chain Reaction Cycles for refund. I'm probably going to get a Specialized Command Post instead. With it one can atleast lock the post mechanically in top position if things start to go wrong (no need to carry spare seat post with you).
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