As in past posts, I mentioned I have my eye on the Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Team mountain bike. I love all of the features, except the bike is missing two features. Where are that dropper seatpost and bottom bracket frame protection?
Primarily, I love cross-country mountain biking, but cross-country can get a little technical out here near the Blue Ridge Mountains. So, a dropper post is a necessary upgrade. Also, it can get a little rocky, so scraping the bottom of the bike against a rock is not unusual. This post is about the dropper post, but a frame protection post may be in the future.
I love riding mountain bikes because they’re great in all kinds of weather and terrain. I would rather be outside riding than on a trainer. A mountain bike is a perfect tool for wet days without worrying about slipping on the skinny tires of a road bike. In addition, the suspension gives you the ability to travel almost anywhere.
What Is a Dropper Post?
A dropper post is a telescopic mountain bike component filled with hydraulic fluid that gives you the ability and confidence to descend those technical drops by altering the lowering of the center of gravity. Dropper posts are found on gravel bikes and mountain bikes but not road bikes. If you look at a road bike setup, the seat may look a little higher than most mountain bike setups. A higher seat is better for pedal efficiency and places less stress on the patellofemoral (i.e., kneecap area) joint. The higher fixed seat position is excellent for road biking and cross-country riding on flat trails but is a problem on those big drops. The ability to be high or low is where the dropper post shines.
The dropper post gives you the best of both worlds. Sometimes, that seat needs to get out of the way, so you don’t tip forward over those handlebars. The dropper post can lower your saddle for those technical situations. You may also need a higher seat setup to conquer those hills and get some speed. The dropper post can raise your seat, making you an efficient machine.
Important Factors
Before considering a dropper post, the most important things to consider are the following:
Cable Routing
Before upgrading to a dropper post, you must determine if your bike is compatible with internal routing or external cable routing. Some dropper posts have a cable that tugs on the actuator at the bottom of the post. The actuator is the part of the dropper post that allows the post to rise and fall. This type of dropper post would be compatible with a bike that will enable internal cable routing. However, if the actuator sits outside the bike frame, your bike is designed for an external cable setup. The outer cables must be attached to the bike frame using zip ties or another method. External cable systems were more common in the early days, but now internal cable systems within the frame are more common.
I love the idea of a stealth cable routing system. The fewer cables visible, the better. Even better, no cables, such as in a wireless system.
Cable vs. Wireless Dropper
Cable dropper systems have been around and are the tried and true method. But, technology has improved. For example, RockShox Reverb AXS post is a popular wireless system. No cables are necessary. Attach the lever to your handlebars and have fun on those technical drops. Since riding with the wireless SRAM Red components, I’ve been a fan of the wireless setup. The two drawbacks are battery life and price.
If you pay attention to the battery life of the dropper or any wireless components you’re using, you shouldn’t have any problems. There was only one time that I was riding, and my battery was dead in my rear derailleur about 15 miles into the ride. On the way home, it was a challenging ride, but I learned the lesson of keeping the batteries charged. User error 🙂
Wireless systems can get expensive. When writing this post, the RockShox Reverb AXS post is over $800. You can get a dropper post using a cable for a fraction of the cost of a wireless system. The RockShox post is not the most affordable dropper post, but you have to love the convenience and clean-looking setup.
Getting the Right Size
There are several factors when it comes to sizing. The easiest factor to consider is the diameter. The most common seatpost diameters are 30.9 mm and 31.6 mm. Less common diameters are 27.2 mm and 34.9 mm. The small diameter is more common for gravel bikes. After finding the correct diameter, then it gets a little complicated.
The seatpost mm of travel or the length of the post from a compressed position to an expanded position is most often 100mm, 125mm, 150mm, or 175mm. The longer the travel, the more length is required to fit within the bike frame. To determine the overall length (the measurement from the seat clamp to the bottom, not including the actuator) that will work with your bike, you must know two factors.
Seat Height: The seat height is the measurement from the top of the saddle to the center of the bottom bracket. This measurement is the highest position of the saddle. The seat height is your climbing position.
Maximum Insertion Length: The maximum insertion depth is the maximum length of the post that can fit into the bike frame. The key is to ensure that your bike can accommodate the dropper post within the frame and achieve your seat height.
One final word about how much travel is whether it’s better to have a shorter travel versus a longer travel dropper post. The answer to that question is based on your riding style and what your bike frame accommodates. A short travel may be best if you’re riding less technical. A shorter post would also be best for shorter riders with a smaller frame. The more technical, the longer adjustable travel is usually better. A post with longer travel may also be needed for taller riders. The key is that your bike must be able to accommodate the post and match your seat height measurement.
Lever Options
When looking at dropper mechanical lever options, you must consider the mounting type. Some cables are cinched down at the bottom of the posts. Some cables are cinched at the remote lever. A small but essential detail. The dropper lever and the seatpost must match. If you’re interested in a wireless system, you don’t have to worry about this issue.
Conclusion
A dropper post is one of the best upgrades for mountain bikers if you plan to ride on steep terrain. The cable systems have been around for some time. However, the new kid on the block is a wireless system, such as the RockShox Reverb AXS. I like simple and clean looks, so I lean towards wireless technology, despite the cost. What’s your top choice for a dropper post? There are many brands (e.g., RockShox, Fall Line, Sdg Tellis, OneUp, PNW, etc.) to choose from to get the proper setup.