DETAILS
There’s plenty of variations with dropper posts, and with the RockShox Reverb now being offered in 150mm and 170mm drops, and in a variety of lengths, time marches on. The Command post (as yet) has a maximum of 125mm stroke and only come in one length and a 30.9 diameter, so can instantly be a miss for some riders and understandably so. The Stumpjumper and Enduro that we’ve been running long-term have these posts as standard and with the frame sizes we’ve been running have been spot on in terms of travel. But riders understandably want more, and it’s here where a 150mm plus Command post would be a useful addition to choose from.
The previous generation Command post was a cable operated design with three positions within the stroke to choose from. In action it was either fully up, a short drop for riding technical singletrack or fully down for descending, similar to the Fox DOSS post. The smooth infinite adjustment that the Reverb, Thomson and KS Lev post offer has set a standard which is seen to be the way to go and in comparison the original Command post seemed a touch clunky and agricultural – but it did the job reliably. And so to move things forward Specialized set to work and developed the ‘Cruiser Control’ tech which they’ve added to this post. You still get the first drop to the ‘trail’ position but then adjust through a subtly ‘indexed’ section letting you choose your position with a feel for where you are within the stroke of the post.Once you’re through this zone you drop to the lowest position for descending. It takes a few rides to master well but it has an action that we’ve grown to love.
The mechanical locking system that Specialized use on the Command post is their own patented technology not a design that is shared (as with a few brands out there) and uses a low pressure air spring to contaol the return action. This gets some criticism from some, as the return speed can be high, but again, with a release of the SRL lever as you rise up with the post together this can be worked with easily. The air spring is externally adjustable and a quick tweak of the pressure can slow the return speed. Sure, the return action of the Rockshox Reverb can be controlled easily with its hydraulic system and that adjustability may win some over (along with the smooth action).
The IRCC (Internally Routed Cruiser Control) Command post ships with the upgraded SRL (Single Ring Lever) which mirrors the look of a Sram shifter and is cable operated. A standard lever (that came with the original design Command post) is also supplied in the box for use if you are running a front shifter. Again, this is not as sealed from the weather as a hydraulic system but also not a problem to maintain either. No complications.
An usual feature is the layback design of the Alien saddle clamp/head. Many dropper posts are either in-line or with a small 5mm set-back. No problem for most, but if you are upgrading a bike’s post and want to keep the sizing as before (without messing with the reach) this may well be a benefit or change the fit either way. We’ve heard from other brands that a layback clamp can give undesired leverage and increase wear but this has no been a case with design from Specialized.
