2012 Specialized Command Post BlackLite Review

Dropper posts have become the norm for trail bikes these days. Once you go beyond 100mm travel, most frames come standard with cable routing so you can easily add one, if you wish. I’ve had the Specialized Camber Expert 29 in the shed for the entire season, so it’s time to spill the beans on just how good the Command Post Blacklite really is.

Specialized Command Post BlackLite Features:

• New design for 2012 drops 100grams
• Features 3 consistent, repeatable saddle heights: full-extension, 35mm drop and full-drop
• Weights: 547 grams (125mm), 531 grams (100mm) and 501 grams (75mm)
• Travel: 125 (tested), 100 and 75mm
• Diameters: 30.9 and 31.6mm
• MSRP: $275

Specialized Command Post BlackLite Adjustable Seatpost Review

Having ridden only a handful of other dropper posts (and not liking a single one), my mindset was a bit biased going into my riding time with the Command Post. Would it wiggle? Would it actually adjust smoothly? Would it leak fluid all over the place? These were all questions I had in the back of my mind.

After posting my initial review of the Camber Expert 29, I was still witholding jugement on the Command Post until I had further ride time. My hesitation was due to a perceived technical glitch that I wanted to address specifically.

What was the glitch? Well, as it turns out (embarrassingly), it was that the post had an excessive amount of air. When I mean excessive, it was THREE TIMES the recommended pressure. I take some of that blame because I didn’t check the pressure before installing it from the factory. But, when I later checked it, I immediately knew why the post wasn’t working very well. Operator error resolved.

So, with the post set at the right return spring pressure (I’ve got it at 40 psi), I set out to test the Command Post with a new set of eyes and hind end. When configured properly, the process of going from climbing mode to cruiser mode was simple, intuitive and smooth. It became so easy that I was inclined to change saddle height with every up/down on the trail.

Initially, it did take a little bit of time to know exactly how far the 35mm drop was, but after a few rides, it became old hat and always clicked down and returned back up when needed.

My freeride days are long gone, so I never used the fully-dropped position while riding. As such, I think if I were to choose a post, I’d go with the 75mm version. It saves weight and gives me exactly what I need. However, I did find it necessary to drop the saddle when placing my wife’s 26er on the Thule T2 tray next to mine. So, the full-drop did come in handy after all.

Unlike other dropper posts that I’ve ridden and disliked, the saddle has never once felt loose. When riding hard, I could never even tell that I had a dropper post as there was no play whatsoever. The thumb trigger is intuitive and with an inline barrel adjuster, it was easy to fine-tune.

Speaking of adjusting, you do have to take the post out to adjust the air pressure. That process is simple and straightforward (once you get the right air pressure). I’d say start at 30psi and go from there, but don’t even think about exceeding 40-50 psi as you could both cause the post to perform poorly and/or damage the air chamber. The horizontal single-bolt mount allows for quick-and-easy saddle adjustments, when needed.

I’m told that the post is easily serviced, if needed. And, because it is a mechanical system, there’s no messy fluid to deal with — just standard cables and air. Attaching the thumb trigger is easy and if you have or use Specialized lock-on grips, the inside grip clamp doubles as  the trigger mount. Of course, it also includes a standard bar mount clamp, but the combined clamp/mount offers simplicity.

Here’s a little video overview of the new Command Post BlackLite:

Good Command Post

• Simple and lightweight design
• Firmly holds the saddle in place without any movement
• Clamp was easy to adjust
• Raising, dropping the post mid-ride became second nature
• The thumb trigger was easy-to-use
• Predictable, set riding heights makes it easy

Bad Command Post

• Should have recommended air pressure stamped into the post
• Added weight may not be worth it for some

Bottom Line: Specialized Command Post Blacklite Dropper Post

The Command Post BlackLight has changed my perception of dropper posts. The on-the-fly adjustments are intuitive and 35mm drop when the trails point downward is perfect for my style of riding. This post feels absolutely rock-solid with no play and mid-ride adjustments are accomplished with ease.

Buy Now: Visit Specialized.com