Specialized Blacklite Command Post

Last year I was able to try out one of the new Command Posts from Specialized.  Part of the family of ‘dropper posts’, it allows the rider to lower the saddle to two positions below the normal static height.  There is a ‘cruiser’ setting and a full on ‘slammed’ setting, each selectable by a bar mounted remote control lever, cable, and mechanical collet that keeps the post where you put it.  An adjustable air spring allows the saddle to return back to static height quickly and easily.

I mounted it on the Epic Marathon, but I had some reservations.  I rarely drop my saddle height.  Some of that is from the area I live, typically not filled with off the back steep and techy downhills, the fact I am really not an acrobat on the bike with big air tricks, and the skills I have overall that allow me to get by.  What I found was a ‘meh’ sort of result.  I appreciated the times I had the saddle lower, but then I would ride the same trail with the saddle up and it was just fine too.  So, in my mind, I was adding weight, cost, and complexity to the bike that I really could not justify.  I took it off and set it aside.

Then, during a ride at Keystone Resort at the 2010 Specialized Product Launch, I rode a Command Post equipped FSR 130mm travel 29er down a more demanding trail than usual.  All of a sudden it came into focus that this was the right part at the right time.  I even found that running it at Cruiser height even on moderate corners allowed me to keep a lower center of gravity, something I did not expect, and of course it was great when I was dancing up and over heavy roots and drops.  “I see”, said the blind man.

So, when I built up Project Long Legs, it was simply natural to grab that Command Post and install it on the FSR.  And, just like in Colorado, the ability to lower the saddle on demand has been fabulous.  However, something I found, which I also did not expect, was that when I had the saddle in the lowest of the two settings, I actually had difficulty controlling the bike.  I had not realized how much I ‘steer’ the bike with my hips/legs/feet and the slammed position took the saddle away from my inner thighs where I could use it for a steering lever.  Interesting, and likely something I could get used to in time.

There is a new Command Post for 2012 that addresses some of the complaints with the old one - the Command Post Blacklite.  We got a look at it at Sea Otter and took home a couple of samples (see the YouTube video at the bottom of the article). The new one is lighter at a claimed 100g loss in the Blacklite over the old Command Post and is listed at $275.00 suggested retail.  As well, there are now three lengths and two diameters:  125mm, 100mm, and 75mm and 30.9mm and 31.6mm. 

It was possible that on a smaller frame or one with less standover, that the post would not lower far enough into the frame.  Now that fixed length is selectable across the three models. The head of the post is bonded in now and should solve some of the complaints of the head wiggling a bit.  Also, the control cable is now a standard shifter cable instead of a proprietary one and there is a quick release for that cable.  That way you can buy multiple control cables and move the post from bike to bike (as long as the diameter is the same, etc).  And there is now an option as to where you locate the control lever.  One is a typical bar clamp and the other is built onto a grip clamp-body just in case you are running out of room on the handlebar.  One more thing that I noticed that is new is the cable tension adjuster built into the housing sections.

The new Command Post Blacklite is in place on Project Long legs and another post is headed to Iowa for Guitar Ted, so we will post back with any comments in due time.  There were a couple of things I noted during the install.  One was my stupid fault.  I was fiddling with getting the cable end button/seizing screw piece into place into the QR lever on the post head and I thought that maybe I needed to remove the cable and then insert it with the end button in place.  Now why I thought this, I have no idea as it would defeat the entire QR feature.  ‘Quick Release’, you know.  Dopey me.  What I found was a very tiny hole drilled through the end button and there was noooo way that the frayed cable I pulled out would ever go back in there.  I grabbed a used cable that had a better end on it and that went in just fine.  THEN and only then did I figure out how to get it in the actuating lever all assembled.  Well, that was easy.

I also was pretty stoked about the release lever that was built into the grip clamp so space on the bar was not required for a separate clamp.  However, I could not find a rotation for the grip/lever that put it where my thumb could actuate it easily.  If it was rotated low, it got in the way of the up-shift paddle.  If it was high, I had to lift my thumb outwards and away from the release lever, then rotate up and over to get on top.  Awkward.  I went back to the separate clamp and that felt better.  I had to reach in a bit to get to it, but it was better for me.  Still, it is a very good option.

More from GT and I on trail time with the new Blacklite model as the year goes by.  Meanwhile, check out the video from Sea Otter for more info.  Our thanks to Nic Sims from Specialized for his time and information.



Comments

[PeteW]

Which post(125mm, 100mm, 75mm) did you install and can you measure the minimum exposed post required in order to be able to use the post? From your picture it looks like you only had a couple of mm to spare. I can't find the information on Specialized's website and its driving me crazy trying to figure out if I have enough space to run the 100mm drop post or if I need to get the 75mm drop post

[admin]

I am pretty certain that I have the 100mm, but let me confirm that. And, you are correct. I have only a few mm's to spare.

grannygear