Dropper Post

From a hidden gem among hardcore wrench monkeys to a must-have for every rider – the dropper post has had a meteoric rise. Few components have revolutionized mountain biking as much as the adjustable seat post. The flip side: few components cause more headaches – whether you’re upgrading or riding. We’ll break down everything you need to know about dropper posts.

There was a time when riders had to pause at the trailhead to manually lower their saddles, a laborious task that seems archaic now. It’s a testament to the revolutionary impact the dropper post has had on the mountain biking scene. Whether you call it a variable seatpost, dropper, or telescopic post, anyone seriously into mountain biking wouldn’t want to ride without one. But what are the real benefits of a dropper post?

The introduction of a dropper seatpost has revolutionized mountain biking, especially when the singletrack slopes downhill beneath your knobs. But what makes this innovative component so vital for modern trail riders? First off, it grants enormous freedom of movement on the bike, allowing you to drop the saddle at the press of a button for steep descents. This added liberty means you no longer have to awkwardly wedge yourself behind the saddle when things get steep and technical – a true blessing for your quads and a distinct advantage for your riding technique.

Safety is another key element enhanced by dropper seatposts. With a lowered saddle, riders can naturally bend their knees more when standing on the pedals. This shifts the center of gravity downwards. The result? The risk of going over the bars decreases with the lower center of gravity. This inevitably leads to more fun on the trail, as you can focus entirely on choosing your line without having to worry about your rear getting snagged on the saddle.

To lower a dropper post, there are two options to choose from:

The most prevalent type of seatpost activation is undoubtedly the one with a lever on the handlebar. Approximately 90% of models rely on a time-tested cable actuation system, also known as a Bowden cable, which scores points for its reliability and easy maintenance.

Rock Shox’s Reverb post, however, stands out with its hydraulic hose, offering a silky-smooth operation. It aims to combine the directness of a mechanical cable with the fluid operation of hydraulics. But the pinnacle of the innovation pyramid reveals that the long-term trend is toward electronically controlled dropper posts. Here, Magura‘s Vyron leads the charge, along with advanced models from Rock Shox and Kind Shock that dazzle with wireless activation. The practicality of this innovation is no secret, as it not only eliminates the annoying cable clutter on the bike but also enhances the aesthetics and simplifies installation.

Telescopic seatposts, commonly referred to as dropper posts, have become an essential upgrade for many mountain bikers and for good reason. The primary function of these posts is their adjustability, which is activated by a lever on the handlebar or directly beneath the saddle. However, these posts are NOT sprung. Despite the persistent myth, they do not feature any suspension.

A dropper post does not provide any function that absorbs small bumps or vibrations. This means that unlike a seatpost with built-in suspension or a full-suspension bike, a dropper post isn’t designed to shield the rider’s rear from rough terrain. Its mechanism is solely focused on the vertical movement of the saddle – a feature that, nonetheless, is crucial for many riders. Those looking to enhance ride comfort through shock absorption should consider suspension seatposts. Models from Cane Creek and Airwings offer this, but the ultimate comfort comes with a full-suspension bike.

The dropper seatpost has become an essential feature for tackling challenging trails and steep descents. However, the functioning of these adjustable seatposts varies. Most dropper posts rely on a combination of an air spring and hydraulic lockout. This design provides a smooth saddle height adjustment and secures the saddle firmly in place once set.

On the more budget-friendly models, a sturdy coil spring often replaces the air spring. These options are more wallet-friendly, but they also have a noticeably higher weight and are less responsive compared to their air-sprung counterparts. Furthermore, the force required to adjust spring-based posts can be significantly greater, which can be a disadvantage when making quick saddle height adjustments.

No matter which system you use, your body weight is always required to lower the saddle. The post won’t drop just by pressing a button on the handlebars; you need to push it down with your body weight. Conversely, to extend the post, you have to relieve weight from the saddle so the air spring or coil spring can lift it back up. Plus, with the saddle dropped, it’s also considerably easier to mount and dismount your bike.

The drop of a dropper seatpost, which is its range of adjustment, is a critical variable that can offer riders a significant edge on the trails. The spectrum of available drops spans from modest 75 mm to an impressive 200 mm. There are even models with adjustable travel to allow for an even more precise dial-in according to individual preferences and the demands of the terrain.

But beware: More travel doesn’t necessarily mean a better ride. This misconception often haunts the decision-making process like a ghost. Particularly for shorter riders, the dilemma is that a dropper post with too much travel can prevent the correct saddle height for efficient seated pedaling. An excessively high saddle can really dampen your fun when it’s time to spin the cranks while seated.

Fortunately, quality-conscious bike manufacturers have recognized this issue and take it into account when spec’ing smaller frame sizes. They adjust the seatpost travel accordingly, so even riders with shorter inseams can experience the benefits of on-the-fly saddle height adjustments without sacrificing comfort or control.

Riders should not be dazzled by the tempting notion of maximum travel, but should first check how much travel is permissible on a seatpost and still allow for setting the ideal saddle height.

Dropper posts are awesome, but these technical marvels are not without their quirks. A common nuisance is the lateral play that can develop over time, which allows for the saddle tip to wiggle several degrees from side to side. This is particularly irritating for Cross Country riders who spend a lot of time on their saddles. The biggest problem: often, this play can’t be fixed, or if it can, it’s usually only by the manufacturer.

As a rule, maintenance work on a dropper post can often only be done by the manufacturer due to its complex internals. DIY maintenance is usually not an option – a fact that costs both time and money. Many manufacturers further complicate the issue by not providing a practical option for bleeding the hydraulics, which leads to the seat post sagging whenever air gets into the system and you sit on it. Bike Joke, a Bavarian manufacturer, is currently the only one offering such a maintenance feature.

Another aspect that will perk up the ears of weight weenies is the additional heft that dropper posts carry. Weighing in at about 500 grams heavier than their rigid counterparts, they make their presence known on the uphills and can affect the bike’s agility.

Finally, internal cable routing for the dropper post can often be a challenge. It requires precision and patience during installation, and if not executed skillfully, it can impair functionality or even damage the cable. Attention all DIY gearheads: not every frame is designed for dropper post cable management. Older models often lack the port through which the cable enters the interior of the seat tube. In such cases, there are very few seat posts available with an external attachment for the cable.

These are all factors that riders need to consider when opting for the comfort and versatility of a dropper post. It’s about weighing the benefits against potential issues and, if necessary, consulting a professional to make the most of this innovative component.

The world of dropper posts is still pushing the boundaries of what’s technically possible. A prime example of this pioneering spirit is the system by 8Pins, which has turned heads with its integration of the post directly into the mountain bike’s frame. This feat in MTB component design not only achieves stunning aesthetics through seamless conformity with the bike’s overall appearance but also offers functional advantages that get riders’ hearts racing.

What makes this system remarkable is its exceptional range of adjustment – or as we riders call it, the travel – that this solution provides. With traditional dropper posts, we’re often constrained by the standard dimensions of the frame and seatpost design. However, by integrating the post into the frame, 8Pins has made a significantly greater travel possible, rewarding riders with more room to maneuver and, therefore, more control on challenging descents and technical sections. Currently, this system is being used on bikes from Liteville, Bulls, and electric bikes by Rotwild.

The bike manufacturer BMC has even developed a system that operates with two air chambers and is completely integrated within the frame. This allows the saddle to be lowered without the need for the rider’s body weight. One thing is clear: we have not yet reached the peak of technical innovation.