Dropper Post Buyer’s Guide
Dropper Post
Buyer’s Guide
Dropper seatposts have revolutionized the way we ride mountain bikes with their ability to lower the saddle height before a jump or drop, instantly boosting confidence and control. Choosing an aftermarket dropper post, however, isn’t quite as easy as using one. Factors such as travel length, diameter and your frame’s minimum insertion can all play a role in which dropper post will or will not work for you. This month the wrecking crew is here to help with some dropper-post tips and a list of some of our favorite options.
Seatpost Diameter
The first and most important thing to do before purchasing an aftermarket dropper post is to find out your bike’s seatpost diameter. The most common sizes are 31.6- and 30.9mm. A less common size is a 27.2mm diameter, which is often seen on steel or titanium hardtail bikes. Larger 34.9mm diameter posts have entered the market but are still not as common as the popular 31.6 and 30.9 diameter sizes. The best way to find out your bike’s seatpost diameter is to reference the manufacturer’s website or see if the diameter measurement is stamped on the post.
Dropper Post Travel
After discovering your dropper post diameter, it’s time to move to the more fun part of picking your desired travel. Ideally, more travel is better, but, depending on your bicycle frame, too much travel can create problems. Today’s dropper posts can vary from 100 to 210mm of travel. Shorter-travel options below 100mm are often made for XC race bikes and gravel rigs. To determine which post will work best for you, you need to figure out how much of the post will be in your frame. Remember that bends in the seat tube or pivot bearings can limit seatpost insertion. You don’t want to buy a post that is too long, not allowing you to get a low-enough saddle height, or one that is too short, requiring you to pull your post out past the minimum insertion mark. Always verify with the dropper post-manufacturer the overall length, and then determine from there if it will work with your bike and your correct saddle position.
Types of Dropper Posts
A variety of posts have entered the market with different cable routing options. The most popular ones use internally routed cables that are hidden inside the frame with minimal cable exposure near the remote. Older bikes without internal cable routing will require an externally routed post. Wireless remotes are an option for riders willing to spend more for the best products possible. Wireless remotes activate the dropper post without the hassle of cables running through your frame.
FOX TRANSFER FACTORY
Price: $344 (performance post available with reduced cost)
Travel: 100, 125, 150, 175mm
Diameter: 30.9, 31.6mm
Overall length: 357-505.7mm
Routing options: Internal or external (cables)
Contact: www.ridefox.com
RACEFACE AEFFECT R
Price: $199.99
Travel: 100, 125, 150, 170mm
Diameter: 30.9, 31.6mm
Overall length: 323–465mm
Routing options: Internal (cable)
Contact: www.raceface.com
ONEUP COMPONENTS DROPPER V2
Price: $209
Travel: 120, 150, 180, 210mm (can be shimmed down by 10 or 20mm)
Diameter: 30.9, 31.6, 34.9mm
Overall length: 340-540mm
Routing options: Internal (cable)
Contact: www.oneupcomponents.com
CRANKBROTHERS HIGHLINE 3
Price: $199
Travel: 80, 100, 125, 150, 170mm
Diameter: 27.2, 30.9, 31.6, 34.9mm
Overall length: 370–505mm
Routing options: Internal (cable)
Contact: www.crankbrothers.com
ROCKSHOX REVERB STEALTH
Price: $399.99
Travel: 100, 125, 150, 175, 200mm
Diameter: 30.9, 31.6, 34.9mm
Overall length: 301-519.5mm
Routing options: Internal (hydraulic)
Contact: sram.com
KS LEV INTEGRA
Price: $329, $359 (150mm), $389 (175mm)
Travel: 65, 100, 120mm (27.2mm diameter); 80, 100, 120, 150, 175mm (other diameters)
Diameter: 27.2, 30.9, 31.6, 34.9mm
Overall length: 340-460 (27.2 diameter), 300–490mm
Routing options: Internal (cable)
Contact: www.kssuspension.com
PNW RAINIER GEN 3
Price: $179
Travel: 125, 150, 170, 200mm
Diameter: 30.9, 31.6mm (34.9mm coming soon)
Overall length: 393–543mm
Routing options: Internal (cable)
Contact: www.pnwcomponents.com
MAGURA VYRON
Price: $499
Travel: 100, 125, 150mm
Diameter: 30.9, 31.6mm
Overall length: 396-446mm
Routing options: Wireless
Contact: www.magura.com
SDG TELLIS
Price: $269.99
Travel: 125, 150, 170mm
Diameter: 30.9, 31.6mm
Overall length: 417-507mm
Routing options: Internal (cable)
Contact: www.sdgcomponents.com
DVO GARNET
Price: $199
Travel: 100, 125, 150mm
Diameter: 30.9, 31.6mm
Overall Length: 385mm (125mm travel)
Routing options: Internal or external (cables)
Contact: dvosuspension.com
ROCKSHOX AXS
Price: $800
Travel: 100, 125, 150, 170mm
Diameter: 30.9, 31.6, 34.9mm
Overall length: 340-480mm
Routing options: Wireless
Contact: www.sram.com
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