The Pricepoint people were nice enough to send us this Sette seatpost to review. I’m not sure how you pronounce that. Set-tay? Set? It looks like this is meant to be a cheap but effective version of the higher priced Gravity Dropper seatpost that’s retailing for around $239. Youch. Msrp on this puppy is listed at $85 but I’ve only seen it selling for the current $29. Monetarily speaking it’s already a value compared to the Gravity Dropper. The only difference, appearance-wise, is the Sette has the handle under the saddle where the higher priced version has the lever on the handlebar.
Pull red rocket for fun
Basically the seatpost’s purpose is to make it easier for the user lower their seat for added maneuverability heading downhill. Instead of getting off your bike and lowering, this should allow you to simply pull the lever, drop your saddle, and ride on.
Insert into bikes only people
It has incremental markings as well as the post size on the rear. I like that they marked it with the size as I always seem to forget what size post is in my bike. The lever is tucked right under your junk on the saddle for an easy squeeze. The lever is pulled up and your weight brings the saddle down. I found that the lever didn’t have enough room to pull up with the Bontrager saddle seen here so be aware of this if you’re thinking about buying. I threw my WTB saddle on the seatpost and it allowed plenty of room.
***If your saddle has plastic/stuff wrapped to the rails, take note
The ST-850 will be going on the Vassago Bandersnatch 29er so I can test both the “suspension” of the post and it’s dropping feature. On more technical trails I often lower my saddle for descents so I’m excited about being able to do this on the fly. This has the potential to be THE dropper seatpost for those of us that don’t want to spend upwards of $200 for other models on the market. Stay tuned for the full review.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Show CommentsGreat first impressions, now how does it work? You’re the only people on the web that have posted anything about this post.
Roop, take a look here to see a little video of how the seatpost works: http://www.mtnbikeriders.com/2008/01/22/sette-ryde-st-850-seatpost-how-it-works/
I’m finishing building the bike this post is going on(Vassago Bandersnatch 29er) this weekend so check back in soon for my full review of this particular seatpost. Thanks for lookin!
Thanks for the review. The little video helps too.
I’ve already planned to put an order of that product today. I’ll write a review after I’ll have it installed & tried. I hope it’ll fit with my “Italia Selle”…
I rode my first all mountain ride on it this weekend. It’s got the same problem that others have discussed, and that is the amount of force needed to drop it. I finally got a technique,and that is using my hand to grasp the lever, locking out my arm, rising up on my pedals, and then bouncing down forcefully on the very front of my saddle. Kinda a b1tch, but the overall value can’t be denied. It made the ride soooo much better as I didn’t have to stop and drop, or get fancy with holding the saddle between my knees while adjusting height via quick release. Well worth the $35 I spent.
“or get fancy with holding the saddle between my knees while adjusting height via quick release. ”
That move sounds pretty impressive.
Shouldn’t need to bounce or jam down the seatpost.
I’m a very slight 155 pounds and can get it down every time with ease. It’s more a trick of getting your weight at the exact angle of the post. RL took a vid of me using it effortlessly and I’ll get it up here as soon as I can.
And if you’re reading this….DO NOT buy any of those other ridiculous $200+ dropper seatposts!!! Compared with similar products, this seatpost is possible the greatest savings on bike equipment out there!
Still waiting for the full review. Wanted to know the reliablity & ease of use while riding down the trail.
ok… Here is my firsts impressions after a couples of rides with that seatpost.
That text is from mtbr.com
Strengths:
For a All-Mountain rider, it’s a big advantage to be able to lower / get higher the lenght of the seatpost… higher = better pedaling effiency, lower = put your gravity center in a better position when going downhill, doing drops, etc… without havint to get down the bike and playing with your QR ! And for only 35$, it’s worth for the money to make a try ! It’s getting higher verry esaly in seconds, the get lower… that depends…
Weaknesses:
Weight! kind of heavy… that will frighten XC riders for sure, buy not that big weaknesse for a all-mountain rider.
Saddle inclinasion: might interfer with the mecanism. You have lo leave enough space between the lever of the seatport and the nose of the saddle. I guess that if you have a lot of angle for your seatpost, that will be a big problem… for me, it’s just tight… asmost a problem, bu still OK (except if I’d like to lower the inclinasion of my saddle nose).
Rider’s weight (I’m only 150 lbs). Sometimes I almost have to jump and land my but on the saddle while holding the lever so it can lower.
The mecanism seems easy to work and tough. It think it would work perfectly to lower if the seat angle of my bike would be about 90 degrees… but when you put the seatpost in angle, like 72, it’s getting more complicated. That might also be because of my weight is on the back of the saddle cause when I place it more in front of it, it’s much more easy to lower the saddle.
Bottom Line:
I like that product, I love the price of it, but it’s just that I have to be honest and describe the weaknesses and explane them so people can do their mind by themselves. I still have my old Titec lightweight Seatpost, buy I prefer for sure to stay with my new Sette Ryde ST-850 Suspension Dropper Seatpost.
For 35$, if you are a AM, FR or DH rider, go for a try and buy it !
Note: 4/5
Seat post arrived just before christmas and I coldn’t wait to try it. The post came from pricepoint without any literatures so there are a few issues that i just have to guess at. Im not a small guy(225lbs.)and I noticed that the seat actually moves up and down under my weight while climbing, without pulling the lever. There seems to be a part that twists tight where the post slides in but i dont know if that will fix the problem.It was still manageable and I like the fact that i can raise my seat back up to where I like it in an instant. For the price, Its definetly worth buying
I just put it on my bike though it would not work as i did not have set on right spot. It works perfectly! I dont have to bang down hard on it I dont have to get oof bike. This is genius! Awsome price proof will be on the trail I will let you know how I get on in a couple days
I have tried the Sette Ryde ST-850 suspension Dropper and I wold like to get one, but I live in Costa Rica. Where can I get that in my country? Do you have any distribuitors in Costa Rica?
Has anyone ever repaired one of these seat posts? It wont stay extended anymore. I assume eather the lever is busted on the inside or a seal is blown. I expected to get more use than I did from this seat post.