HomeOutdoorThe Greatest Dropper Posts of 2024

The Greatest Dropper Posts of 2024


Dropper posts permit us to regulate our saddle peak with the push of a lever, serving to to boost consolation, effectivity, and, most significantly, management whereas out on the path. Many individuals would argue that dropper posts are one of the vital vital improvements in mountain bike know-how — basically reworking the way in which we experience.

The power to regulate the peak of your saddle on the fly ensures that it’s at all times positioned completely for the terrain you’re driving, and dropper posts have develop into a staple on almost all new mountain bikes and are working their method onto gravel bikes today as effectively. With their meteoric rise to turning into a typical half, we now have extra nice choices to select from than ever earlier than.

Our knowledgeable testers rounded up 9 of the highest choices out there in 2024 and put every mannequin by means of its paces whereas assessing vital efficiency traits just like the smoothness of journey, saddle clamps, set up, adjustability, weight, serviceability, and design.

From the ultra-premium wi-fi RockShox Reverb AXS to the value-packed OneUp Elements V3, we’ve discovered a dropper to swimsuit each want and funds. To see the specs of all of the fashions we examined at a look, take a look at our comparability chart. If you wish to study extra about dropper posts, you’ll be able to confer with our detailed shopping for recommendation and value & worth sections.

Editor’s Be aware: We refreshed this information on October 3, 2024, after testing the just lately up to date variations of the Bike Yoke Revive, Fox Switch Manufacturing facility, and Wolf Tooth Resolve dropper posts.

The Greatest Dropper Posts of 2024


Greatest Total Dropper Submit

  • Accessible journey Lengths
    125, 160, 200, 242 mm
  • Total Lengths
    373, 443, 523, 607 mm
  • Accessible Diameters
    30.9, 31.8, 34.9 mm
  • Dimension Examined
    31.6 x 200 mm journey
  • Measured Weight
    Submit: 565 g (2.82 g/mm journey), Lever: 39 g


Product Badge
The Best Dropper Posts of 2024The Best Dropper Posts of 2024


  • Comparatively light-weight

  • Tremendous clean

  • Self-bleeding cartridge – by no means develops sag

  • Adjustable journey in 5mm increments to dial in good size

  • Quick stack peak and insertion depths

  • Consumer serviceable – all components out there

  • Pretty costly

  • Extra delicate to seatpost clamp torque and air stress than most

Greatest Worth Dropper Submit

  • Accessible Journey Lengths
    90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240 mm
  • Total Lengths
    295, 350, 415, 480, 545, 610 mm
  • Accessible Diameters
    30.9, 31.6, 34.9 mm (additionally a 27.2 mm choice in 90 mm and 120 mm lengths)
  • Dimension Examined
    30.9, 210 mm journey
  • Measured Weight
    Submit: 515 g (2.45 g/mm journey), Lever: 42 g


The Best Dropper Posts of 2024The Best Dropper Posts of 2024


  • Nonetheless fairly priced

  • Smoother than earlier model

  • Lighter weight – lighter than most “light-weight” posts

  • Very low stack peak

  • Six journey lengths and 4 diameters supplied

  • Adjustable journey for preferrred match

  • Straightforward upkeep

  • Barely dearer than the V2

  • New sealed cartridge has fastened return pace

Greatest Price range Dropper Submit

  • Accessible journey lengths
    125, 150, 170, 200 mm
  • Total lengths
    385, 440, 480, 540 mm
  • Accessible diameters
    30.9, 31.6, 34.9 mm
  • Dimension examined
    31.6, 150 mm journey
  • Measured weight
    Submit: 529 g (3.53 g/mm journey), Lever: 49 g


The Best Dropper Posts of 2024The Best Dropper Posts of 2024


  • Nice efficiency at an reasonably priced value

  • Straightforward instrument free journey alter

  • Fundamental however useful and ergonomic lever

  • Straightforward to make small changes to saddle peak

  • Rubber items get soiled very simply

  • Taller stack peak

Smoothest Dropper Submit

  • Accessible journey Lengths
    125, 160, 185, 213 mm
  • Total Lengths
    381, 451, 501, 566 mm
  • Accessible Diameters
    30.9, 31.6 mm (34.9 mm Revive Max additionally supplied)
  • Dimension Examined
    31.6 x 213 mm journey
  • Measured Weight
    Submit: 633 g (3.97 g/mm journey), Lever: 32 g (Triggy Alpha Lengthy)


The Best Dropper Posts of 2024The Best Dropper Posts of 2024


  • Smoothest journey in the marketplace

  • A number of notable enhancements over the Revive 2.0

  • Adjustable journey in 5 mm increments

  • Triggy Alpha distant is tremendous good

  • Do away with sag rapidly and simply with Revive valve

  • Costlier

  • Not the lightest – however not precisely heavy both

  • 213 mm is longest model

Greatest Wi-fi Dropper Submit

  • Accessible journey lengths
    100, 125, 150, 170 mm
  • Total lengths
    340, 390, 440, 480 mm
  • Accessible diameters
    30.9, 31.6, 34.9 mm (Reverb XPLR AXS is available in 27.2 mm)
  • Dimension examined
    31.6, 150 mm journey
  • Measured weight
    Submit: 655 g (4.37 g/mm journey), Lever: 54 g


The Best Dropper Posts of 2024The Best Dropper Posts of 2024


  • Nice lever ergonomics and simple actuation

  • Precision management

  • Tremendous-easy submit and seat set up

  • Fast return pace

  • Digital

  • No cable or hose

  • Very costly

  • Heavier weight

  • Digital — want to recollect to cost battery

  • Increased stack peak with giant collar

  • 170 mm is longest size

Greatest Up to date Dropper Submit

  • Accessible journey Lengths
    120, 150, 180, 210, 240 mm
  • Total Lengths
    374, 439, 504, 569, 639 mm
  • Accessible Diameters
    30.9, 31.6, 34.9 mm
  • Dimension Examined
    31.6 x 210 mm journey
  • Measured Weight
    Submit: 667 g (3.18 g/mm journey), Lever: 46 g


The Best Dropper Posts of 2024The Best Dropper Posts of 2024


  • A significant enchancment over the earlier model

  • Easy journey

  • Adjustable air spring/return charge

  • Damped really feel at backside of stroke

  • Can cut back journey in 5 mm increments

  • Heavier weight

  • Lengthy actuator and longer general lengths might restrict fitment for some

Better of the Relaxation

  • Accessible journey lengths
    80, 100, 125 mm
  • Total lengths
    400, 420, 445 mm
  • Accessible diameters
    30.9, 31.6 mm
  • Dimension examined
    31.6, 125 mm
  • Measured weight
    Submit: 451 g (3.61 g/mm journey), Lever: 45 g


The Best Dropper Posts of 2024The Best Dropper Posts of 2024


  • Quick return pace

  • Easy, managed motion

  • Fairly gentle

  • “Tech climb” function went unnoticed (in a great way)

  • Max journey of 125 mm

  • Longer general size and stack peak

  • Weight is low, however weight per mm/journey is larger than different SL mannequin examined
  • Accessible journey lengths
    100, 125, 150, 170, 200 mm
  • Total lengths
    364, 414, 465, 504, 577 mm
  • Accessible diameters
    30.9, 31.6 mm (Highline XC Gravel out there in 27.2 mm)
  • Dimension examined
    31.6, 150 mm journey
  • Measured weight
    Submit: 577 g (3.85 g/mm journey)


The Best Dropper Posts of 2024The Best Dropper Posts of 2024


  • Very clean journey

  • Straightforward to make use of pivoting bolt seat clamp

  • Simply person serviceable (every little thing however the cartridge) with very normal instruments

  • Straightforward set up

  • Slower, fastened compression and extension pace

  • Longer general size and stack peak

  • Heavier weight
  • Accessible journey Lengths
    50, 70, 75, 100, 125, 150 mm
  • Total lengths
    350, 370, 355, 380, 430, 455, 480 mm
  • Accessible diameters
    27.2, 30.9, 31.6 mm
  • Dimension examined
    31.6, 150 mm journey
  • Measured weight
    Submit: 441 g (2.94 g/mm journey), Lever 46 g


The Best Dropper Posts of 2024The Best Dropper Posts of 2024


  • Lightest submit examined

  • Big selection of shorter journey choices for XC riders

  • Drop bar lever out there

  • Very quick return pace

  • Extraordinarily gentle motion

  • Two positions — you’ll like it or hate it

  • Much less controllable than infinitely adjustable posts as a consequence of extraordinarily gentle motion

  • Longest general size within the take a look at

Dropper Submit Comparability Chart

Dropper Submit MSRP Accessible Lengths Accessible Diameters Dimension Examined Measured Weight
OneUp Elements V3 $270 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240 mm 27.2, 30.9, 31.6, 34.9 mm 30.9 x 210 mm Submit: 515 g, Lever: 42 g
PNW Elements Loam $199-209 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 mm 30.9, 31.6, 34.9 mm 31.6 x 150 mm Submit: 529 g, Lever: 49 g
Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 $350-396 125, 160, 200, 242 mm 30.9, 31.6, 34.9 mm 31.6 x 200 mm Submit: 565 g, Lever: 39 g
Bike Yoke Revive 3.0 $350-410 125, 160, 185, 213 mm 30.9, 31.6, 34.9mm 31.6 x 213 mm Submit: 633 g, Lever: 32 g
RockShox Reverb AXS $861 100, 125, 150, 170 mm 30.9, 31.6, 34.9 mm 31.6 x 150 mm Submit: 655 g, Lever: 54 g
Bike Yoke Divine SL $320 80, 100, 125 mm 30.9, 31.6 mm 31.6 x 125 mm Submit 451 g, Lever: 45 g
Fox Switch Manufacturing facility $339 120, 150, 180, 210, 240 mm 30.9, 31.6, 34.9 mm 31.6 x 210 mm Submit: 667 g, Lever: 46 g
Crankbrothers Highline 7 $300 100, 125, 150, 170, 200 mm 30.9, 31.6 mm 31.6 x 150 mm Submit: 577 g
Fox Switch SL $399 50, 70, 75, 100, 125, 150 mm 27.2, 30.9, 31.6 mm 31.6 x 150 mm Submit: 441 g, Lever: 46 g

How We Examined Dropper Posts

It’s honest to say that the staff at GearJunkie is obsessive about all issues outdoor-related, and that features mountain biking. That is very true of merchandise like dropper posts that improve our driving expertise and efficiency out on the path.

Whereas there have been some reservations about adopting this new-fangled know-how after they initially got here out, you’ll discover droppers on just about all of our mountain bikes and even a few of our gravel bikes today. And we’ve tried a number of them. Whether or not for product launches, particular person evaluations, or on take a look at bikes, we’ve had the prospect to strive almost each mannequin in the marketplace.

Jeremy Benson testing dropper posts near Lake tahoe, CAJeremy Benson testing dropper posts near Lake tahoe, CA
Our testers have been utilizing dropper posts since they hit the market. Evaluation co-author Jeremy Benson has examined over 15 totally different fashions; (photograph/Jeff Schertz)

Our Professional Testers

For the needs of this purchaser’s information, we rounded up 9 of the very best dropper posts out there in 2024 to check and evaluate. Evaluation creator Paul Clauss spent months testing these posts in a variety of climate situations on technical northern Vermont trails that require numerous elevating and decreasing of the saddle. A mechanical engineer by commerce and a talented bike mechanic, Paul enjoys scrutinizing totally different designs, tinkering with changes, and is adept at differentiating refined efficiency variations within the workshop and out on the path.

Paul has an affinity for technical options and rock slabs, and happily, the terrain close to his dwelling in northern Vermont is a perfect testing floor for dropper posts with loads of ups, downs, and rocky, rooty challenges that require frequent adjustments to saddle peak. Along with testing dropper posts, Paul has additionally contributed to our greatest mountain bike flat pedals and mountain bike flat pedal shoe evaluations, together with bike restore stands and bike pumps.

GearJunkie editor Jeremy Benson additionally contributed to this information. Benson has been testing and reviewing bikes, equipment, and elements for 8 years and has personally examined greater than twelve totally different dropper posts. As an obsessive rider and racer, he’s at all times looking for out the highest-performance merchandise he can discover and appreciates elements that make his bike as gentle as doable.

He’s additionally skilled the evolution of dropper posts firsthand and acknowledges that just about each dropper in the marketplace is significantly better than any choices we had a decade in the past. A few of the different guides that Benson has contributed to incorporate mountain bike sneakers, mountain bike shorts, mountain bike helmets, and hitch bike racks.

Our Testing Course of

After weighing every submit and distant for consistency and comparability to the producer’s specs, Paul and Jeremy put in them on one among their a number of mountain bikes. Putting in every submit ourselves gave us the chance to evaluate the relative problem of doing it by yourself, and offered precious perception into the saddle clamps and distant levers. It additionally gave us the chance to evaluate fitment-related issues when putting in — and selecting the best measurement to start with.

As soon as every submit was put in, we carried out quite a few hand exams within the workshop to check the smoothness of journey and return speeds. We made any essential changes after which took to the paths. On the path, Paul and Jeremy each targeted on key efficiency attributes like actuation drive on the lever, compression drive, return pace, and smoothness whereas making frequent changes to saddle peak. From the technical trails of Vermont to the tough and dusty trails of the Lake Tahoe area, these posts have been ridden laborious to find out their relative strengths and weaknesses. Paul and Jeremy additionally switched between posts usually for extra direct comparability of their efforts to seek out the very best dropper posts.

Paul Clauss testing dropper postsPaul Clauss testing dropper posts
From the various and technical trails of northern Vermont to the Sierra Nevada of California, we put these posts to the take a look at; (photograph/Paul Clauss)

Shopping for Information: The way to Select a Dropper Submit

There are quite a few causes it’s best to use a dropper submit in your mountain bike, however it may be tough to seek out precisely what you want. Right here, we break down a number of the vital issues which will affect your buy choice.

Why Trip With a Dropper Submit?

Utilizing a dropper submit will mean you can elevate and decrease your seat with the contact of a handlebar-mounted lever or distant. When your saddle is on the acceptable peak for pedaling and climbing, it might get in the way in which when making an attempt to maneuver your physique and bike whereas descending. However when your saddle peak is about low for descending, it isn’t within the correct place for pedaling.

Dropper posts mean you can alter your saddle peak on the fly whereas driving, guaranteeing you might have the right seat peak for the terrain you encounter. With a dropper submit, you’ll expertise:

  1. Improved maneuverability: A dropper submit means that you can decrease your seat when descending steep or technical terrain, creating extra clearance between you and your saddle This makes it simpler to shift your physique and maneuver the bike. It’s notably useful for bike/physique separation when cornering and when leaping. 
  2. Higher effectivity: At full extension, your saddle must be within the preferrred place for seated pedaling so you’ll be able to at all times profit from your pedaling effort.
  3. Extra comfy driving: A dropper submit means that you can alter your seat peak based mostly on the terrain, making for a extra comfy experience general. Exterior of decreasing the submit for descending, this may be vital on technical climbs — typically, having solely 20mm or so of saddle drop might help you set down the facility or maneuver the bike by means of difficult sections. 
Rolling over a technical rock feature while testing dropper postsRolling over a technical rock feature while testing dropper posts
When your saddle is low, you’ll be able to transfer across the bike extra freely for higher management; (photograph/Heather Benson)

The way to Dimension a Dropper Submit for You and Your Bike

When buying a brand new dropper submit, the match for you and your bike is your first precedence. Not solely does it want to suit your body to be appropriate, however you need it to fit your physique measurement and wishes as effectively.

Seat Tube Diameter

This is without doubt one of the best steps — simply ensure you choose a submit that matches the seat tube diameter of your body. Most fashionable mountain bikes have 30.9 mm or 31.6 mm seat tubes, and dropper submit producers usually present choices for much less normal choices like 27.2 mm (for gravel and a few XC frames) or 34.9 mm diameters. In case you are not sure of your seat tube diameter, you’ll be able to sometimes discover it printed on the seat submit that’s presently in your bike, or you’ll be able to look it up on the producer’s web site. When you ought to be capable to discover a submit that matches your seat tube diameter, you’ll be able to typically buy a smaller one and shim the seat tube in a pinch.

Comparison of the six travel lengths of the OneUp V3 dropperComparison of the six travel lengths of the OneUp V3 dropper
OneUp’s V3 Dropper is available in six journey lengths from 90 mm to 240 mm; (Picture/OneUp Elements)

Dropper Journey Size

Dropper posts are available a spread of journey lengths to swimsuit various wants, preferences, our bodies, and bikes. For mountain bikes, they sometimes vary between 100 and 200 mm, with some outliers on both finish. For instance, the OneUp Elements V3 Dropper is available in essentially the most measurement choices, with 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, and 240 mm journey lengths out there. Not surprisingly, as post-travel will increase, so does the general size of the submit.

Whereas many individuals attempt to match essentially the most drop doable on their bike to extend mobility, some riders might want a shorter drop size for varied causes. How a lot drop you need is often a matter of non-public choice, but additionally it could be a operate of what is going to match in your body and work to your physique measurement.

Fortuitously, some manufacturers are doing their finest to reduce the general lengths and stack heights of their posts, which makes it simpler to suit an extended journey dropper. Some manufacturers/fashions additionally present the choice to scale back journey with changes to make fitment a lot simpler than it was once. On the identical time, many fashionable bikes are being designed with decrease stand-over heights and shorter, straighter seat tubes that assist make it simpler to suit longer journey dropper posts.

Figuring out If a Dropper Will Match Your Body

Most producer’s web sites have a instrument that will help you appropriately measurement a submit to your bike to maximise journey (and the OneUp web site will even present you which ones opponents’ posts will match with their Dropper Submit Size Selector). To make use of these instruments, you’ll take two measurements out of your body and think about just a few submit measurements:

  • X – your Measured Trip Peak: from the highest of your seat collar to the middle of your seat rails (not the highest of your saddle). For instance, on the small Santa Cruz Bronson used for testing, that is 260 mm.
  • Y – the utmost seat tube insertion size to your body. On the small Bronson, that is 210 mm.
Dropper Post fit measurement diagramDropper Post fit measurement diagram
(photograph/Paul Clauss)

With these numbers, use the instruments out there on most producers’ web sites to find out the utmost journey for his or her submit in your body. To double-check if a dropper submit will match by yourself, make it possible for:

  1. Your Measured Trip Peak (X) is GREATER than the Stack Peak (prolonged) of the submit, measured from the underside of the collar to the middle of the seat rails of the seat at full extension.
    1. On the take a look at Bronson, the Measured Seat Peak of 260 mm is bigger than the 150 mm Journey PNW Loam submit’s Stack Peak of 200 mm. This implies the submit may be positioned at the popular peak, assuming the opposite two measurements beneath are true.
  2. The Total Size minus your Measured Trip Peak (X) is LESS than the utmost seat tube insertion size to your body (Y).
    1. For the PNW Loam submit at 150 mm journey, the Total Size is 440 mm. 440 – 260 = 180 mm, which is the size of the submit I count on to be within the seat tube at full seat peak. That is lower than the measured seat tube insertion of 210 mm, leaving 30 mm of clearance on the backside of my seat tube with the submit on the measured seat peak.
  3. The Insertion Size (from #2) falls between the minimal and most insertion lengths of the submit. The insertion size should be between the utmost/minimal insertion lengths for the submit.
    1. The minimal insertion of 90 mm is lower than 180 mm (from #2, the anticipated insertion size with the submit), which is lower than 210 mm (the utmost insertion depth). On the anticipated insertion on the Bronson body, the insertion size falls between and most and minimal insertion lengths of the submit.
Dropper post measurementsDropper post measurements
This photograph exhibits the measurements wanted when figuring out what dropper submit will suit you and your bike; (photograph/Paul Clauss)

Varieties of Dropper Posts

Most dropper posts out there at present use a cable to actuate an inner floating piston (IFP) to launch a pressurized chamber, sometimes an adjustable air spring or a sealed hydraulic cartridge, to boost and decrease the seat. Whereas all of them carry out the identical job of elevating and decreasing your seat on the fly, dropper posts are available a wide range of totally different designs.

Adjustable vs. Fastened Price of Return

Many dropper posts have an adjustable charge of return. Usually, this includes an air spring, the stress of which may be raised or lowered (inside a really helpful vary) to hurry up or decelerate the speed at which the submit compresses and extends. This provides the person higher management over the submit and the flexibility to dial in its efficiency to satisfy their wants or preferences. The Bike Yoke Revive 3.0, Fox Switch Manufacturing facility, Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2, Bike Yoke Divine SL, and the PNW Loam all function adjustable air springs.

Some posts use sealed cartridges which have a hard and fast charge of compression and extension. These posts have a predetermined spring charge chosen by the producer that often goals to hit the glad center floor of compression drive/return pace. The OneUp Elements V3 and Crankbrothers Highline 7 are two examples of droppers that don’t have adjustable air springs.

The valve cover on the air spring on the Fox transfer factory dropper postThe valve cover on the air spring on the Fox transfer factory dropper post
Most posts with adjustable air springs have a valve underneath the saddle clamp the place you’ll be able to change the stress, like the brand new Fox Switch Manufacturing facility seen right here; (photograph/Jeremy Benson)

Infinitely Adjustable vs. Fastened Interval Journey

The overwhelming majority of dropper posts function what known as infinitely adjustable journey, that means they are often adjusted anyplace inside the out there journey vary between full compression and full extension. Whereas it’s commonest to experience with the submit all the way in which up or all the way in which down, there are many circumstances the place dropping the submit just a bit bit is good, and infinitely adjustable posts permit you to take action.

Just a few posts in the marketplace have fastened interval journey, that means they cease solely at sure spots inside their journey vary. Usually, this model of submit makes use of an easier mechanical spring to manage the journey. The one submit we examined that adjusts at fastened intervals is the light-weight Fox Switch SL, which stops in solely two positions, absolutely compressed and absolutely prolonged.

Inner vs Exterior Routing

Most fashionable mountain bikes are designed for use with dropper posts and often function inner cable routing. Consequently, most droppers are additionally designed for use with bikes which have inner cable routing. The actuator the place the cable connects is on the backside of the submit contained in the body. The entire droppers we examined are made for inner cable routing, aside from the RockShox Reverb AXS, which is wi-fi.

Many older bike frames and a few gravel bikes don’t have ports for inner cable routing. Fortunately, there are some externally routed droppers in the marketplace, although they’re much less widespread. PNW elements make a number of fashions of externally routed droppers, and you’ll usually discover related choices from Model-X and PRO in case you go searching.

Dropper posts side by sideDropper posts side by side
The entire posts on this photograph are internally routed and cable actuated. Whereas the actuator mechanisms on the backside of the posts all look totally different, all of them carry out the identical job of triggering the spring so the submit strikes up and down; (photograph/Paul Clauss)

Actuation Kinds

Cable-Actuated

Nearly all of fashionable dropper posts are cable-actuated, that means {that a} cable connects between the distant lever and the actuator on the backside of the submit. Whenever you press the distant lever, it pulls on the cable, which in flip actuates the submit and permits it to maneuver up or down. Cables are comparatively straightforward to take care of and cheap to switch.

Hydraulically Actuated

This model of actuation is way much less widespread than cable-actuated posts, however it works in an analogous method utilizing hydraulic fluid. The RockShox Reverb (not AXS) is the one submit in the marketplace that makes use of this technique, and it really works pretty effectively. The principle downside is that it’s tougher to put in and take away your submit, given the presence of hydraulic fluid within the hose and distant lever, and it may be fairly messy. Older fashions have been additionally fairly delicate to chilly temperatures, though the most recent Reverb posts work higher in that regard.

RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post battery detailRockShox Reverb AXS dropper post battery detail
Wi-fi know-how is turning into extra prevalent on mountain bikes with the cost being led by SRAM/RockShox. The Reverb AXS does require a battery to function the submit, however fortunately, it lasts a reasonably very long time between costs; (photograph/Paul Clauss)
Wi-fi/Electrical

Given the speedy tempo of technological growth, it comes as little shock that an increasing number of merchandise are digital. Wi-fi or digital posts forego the cable or hose altogether and as a substitute use a small management unit on the handlebar that pairs by way of Bluetooth to a small motor on the submit to boost and decrease it. The RockShox Reverb AXS was the primary electrical submit to actually achieve a foothold out there. Extra manufacturers are making wi-fi elements, and Fox just lately launched the Switch Neo (which we can be testing quickly).

Dropper Options

The travel reduction feature on the PNW Loam dropper postThe travel reduction feature on the PNW Loam dropper post
Many posts have journey discount options that permit customers to fine-tune the journey to optimize match on the bike. The PNW Loam’s system is tool-free; (photograph/Paul Clauss)

Journey Discount

Some posts mean you can lower the utmost submit journey, guaranteeing you may get the utmost drop out there to your bike. For instance, on the bike used for testing with a stack peak of 260 mm and most seat tube insertion of 210 mm, the OneUp measurement calculator exhibits the utmost drop for my setup as 170 mm, achieved by decreasing the journey of their 180 mm submit by 10 mm.

The PNW Loam Dropper makes use of a tool-free system to lower the utmost journey by as much as -25 mm (in 5 mm increments) with a built-in nylon shim. The OneUp V3 Dropper makes use of an analogous system however limits journey adjustment to 10 or 20 mm and makes use of pins and information slots fairly than a nylon shim. The Bike Yoke Revive 3.0 additionally permits as much as 20 mm of journey adjustment, however the set up course of is a bit more concerned.

Equally, the Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 can have most journey decreased, and they’re going to set up spacers for you once you order the submit, or you should buy journey discount shims after the very fact and set up them your self or convey your submit to a store to have it carried out for you.

Bike Yoke Revive 2.0 dropper post Revive ValveBike Yoke Revive 2.0 dropper post Revive Valve
The Bike Yoke Revive has a reset valve (the silver factor beneath the saddle clamp) that can be utilized to reset the internals and purge air out of the system if sag or sponginess develops over time; (photograph/Paul Clauss)

Reset Valves

All hydraulic dropper posts can expertise air ingestion into the interior tubes over time, which may end up in a saggy or spongy really feel when sitting on the saddle. To fight this with out requiring a full rebuild of the submit, the Bike Yoke Revive 3.0 makes use of a reset valve, and the RockShox Reverb AXS makes use of the “Vent Valve” to reset the hydraulic circuit. Whereas Bike Yoke solely expects Revive customers to make use of the reset valve a couple of times a 12 months, it is a good function to make sure constant efficiency of the submit without having to tug it out of your body.

Different posts, just like the Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 and the Bike Yoke Divine SL, have “self-bleeding” cartridges designed to purge any air from the system each time the submit is absolutely dropped.

The two-bolt saddle clamp on the Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 dropper postThe two-bolt saddle clamp on the Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 dropper post
Most saddle clamps are pretty easy two-bolt designs that safe the saddle rails and usually go unnoticed. Wolf Tooth’s clamp on the Resolve rev2 has the bolts angled properly in order that it’s simpler to get instruments on them when wanted; (photograph/Jeremy Benson)

Saddle Clamp

The saddle clamp on the seatpost head is the place your saddle rails connect to the seatpost. Good saddle clamps are quiet, keep on the acceptable torque, and make saddle set up/removing fairly straightforward. A lot of the posts on this take a look at used a typical two-bolt head design to regulate saddle angle and fore/aft place. Just a few fashions have clamp designs that assist make the set up and removing course of barely simpler.

The Crankbrothers Highline 7 has {hardware} that swivels, whereas the OneUp V3 dropper has slotted plates. Although we don’t sometimes set up/take away our saddles incessantly, these seemingly trivial design options are actually fairly useful when testing dropper posts again to again. 

The Wolf Tooth Remote Pro dropper leverThe Wolf Tooth Remote Pro dropper lever
With clean motion and a great deal of adjustability, Wolf Tooth’s Distant Professional dropper lever is without doubt one of the finest in the marketplace; (photograph/Jeremy Benson

Distant Levers

Each dropper submit makes use of a distant to actuate the journey up and down. Whereas many posts used to come back with a lever, most posts are bought with out one today, that means you’ll be able to often select no matter distant you want. Most levers for cable-actuated dropper posts (that clamp the free cable finish on the lever) are appropriate with any submit, permitting you to decide on the lever that works finest along with your ergonomics and cockpit setup.

The appearance and proliferation of 1x drivetrains freed up some house on the left facet of the handlebar the place the entrance derailleur shifter was once, so the vast majority of dropper remotes are 1x levers that resemble a shifter paddle that you simply press along with your left thumb. Examples of 1x distant levers embody the Wolf Tooth Distant Professional, Fox Switch 1x Distant, Bike Yoke Triggy Alpha, PNW Loam Lever, and OneUp V3 Lever.

Many have textured metallic surfaces to supply thumb traction, whereas some use replaceable rubber pads for grip. Moreover, some manufacturers provide you with colour choices to customise your experience. For instance, Wolf Tooth sells its machined aluminum distant levers in a spread of anodized colours. Equally, PNW and OneUp Elements promote their rubber thumb traction pads in varied colours, too.

Dropper post remote leversDropper post remote levers
There are many distant levers in the marketplace with nice choices from PNW, Bike Yoke, Wolf Tooth, Fox, and OneUp, all pictured right here; (photograph/Paul Clauss)

Some manufacturers nonetheless make distant levers designed for use with 2x drivetrains and/or suspension lockout levers, and drop-bar levers have gotten extra widespread as droppers achieve reputation on gravel bikes.

Like some other handlebar-mounted management, it is very important think about ergonomics, lever really feel, and actuation drive when deciding on a dropper submit lever. Moreover, you’ll wish to think about how your lever will mount to your handlebar. Whereas most lever producers do present choices for Shimano i-Spec or SRAM MMX shifter/brake mount connections, in addition they provide fundamental 22.2 and 31.8mm handlebar clamps. Usually yow will discover adaptors for different brake configurations like Magura, Hayes, Hope, and many others.

As a result of most levers have a number of attachment factors to regulate the horizontal place of the lever, it’s often pretty straightforward to place the distant in a great spot in order that reaching it along with your thumb feels pure and intuitive. Some levers have further changes that permit ergonomics to be personalized even additional.

RockShox Reverb AXS wireless dropper remoteRockShox Reverb AXS wireless dropper remote
The wi-fi distant of the RockShox Reverb AXS submit has a paddle that works extra like urgent a button. It’s costly, however it’s higher than cable-actuated techniques in some ways; (photograph/Paul Clauss)

The exception to the cable-actuation rule is the RockShox Reverb AXS, which comes with its personal digital management unit. This distant runs off battery energy and connects to the submit by way of Bluetooth.

Weight

Dropper posts will at all times weigh greater than a typical seatpost, however most riders (and more and more, even aggressive cross-country racers) are prepared to take a weight penalty for the improved dealing with and management advantages of utilizing a dropper submit. In fact, all different issues being equal, lighter is mostly thought-about higher, assuming efficiency isn’t compromised within the identify of weight financial savings.

For this take a look at, we weighed the submit solely, realizing that the burden of the cable housing will fluctuate barely relying on the size required to your body, and that will even usually be constant to your bike no matter which cable-actuated submit you select. Additionally it is value noting that longer journey posts weigh greater than shorter journey variations of the identical submit because of the further supplies wanted to make them longer. And, since our testers used totally different lengths of posts, it’s difficult to get an ideal weight comparability.

Fox Transfer SL lightweight dropper postFox Transfer SL lightweight dropper post
Although it seems just like different fashions, the Fox Switch SL makes use of an easier design and is without doubt one of the lightest choices in the marketplace; (photograph/Paul Clauss)

Whereas a heavier dropper submit gained’t be as noticeable on the path as a heavy set of tires or wheelset, it is going to add to the general weight of your bike and could also be a consideration for you. All of the posts on this take a look at weighed between 441 grams (Fox Switch SL) and 655 grams (Rockshox Reverb AXS). For the cable-actuated droppers, the OneUp V3 is constantly one of many lightest weight choices, weighing in at 515 grams within the 210 mm journey size (433 grams for the 150 mm model).

The Wolf Tooth Resolve is shut behind at simply 514 grams at 160mm of journey (with 10mm extra journey). For these tremendous acutely aware about weight, like XC racers, there are some “superlight” choices in the marketplace these days, just like the Fox Switch SL and the Bike Yoke Divine SL. These light-weight fashions do save a good quantity of weight, coming in at 441 grams and 451 grams, respectively, however they’re supplied in a narrower vary of drop lengths. To not be outdone, the OneUp V3 droppers at the moment are lighter than the SL fashions we examined (in the identical drop lengths).

Connecting the cable to the actuator of the Fox transfer factory dropper postConnecting the cable to the actuator of the Fox transfer factory dropper post
Putting in a dropper submit could seem daunting, however it isn’t too laborious to do by yourself in case you comply with the directions and have the proper instruments for the job. The toughest half is often routing the cable housing by means of your body; (photograph/Jeremy Benson)

Set up

If you buy a brand new dropper from a motorbike store, it is not uncommon that they are going to set up it for you. If you buy a dropper from an internet retailer, you’ll be able to convey it to an area store and pay to have it put in. If you happen to like wrenching by yourself bike, doing it your self is comparatively simple, assuming you might have cable/housing cutters and affordable mechanic expertise. A high quality restore stand doesn’t damage, both.

The set up course of is essentially the identical whatever the actuation methodology. Most manufacturers have detailed directions and/or educational movies to information you thru the method.

  1. Run a piece of cable housing (or hydraulic line) from the seat tube to the exit port close to the top tube. Which method you pull the housing by means of can rely in your body, and it’s at all times a good suggestion to make use of current housing to tug by means of new housing each time doable — this helps information the brand new housing by means of tight curves within the inner routing.
  2. Connect the cable to the actuator on the backside of the submit and run it by means of the housing. Place the housing within the housing cease on the base of the submit
  3. Push the submit into the body whereas concurrently pulling the cable/housing (or hydraulic line) out of the exit port close to the top tube.
  4. Connect the cable/housing to the lever after mounting it to the handlebars.
  5. For posts with hydraulic actuation, bleed the system. For cable-actuated posts, clamp the cable to the lever, trim the cable, add a cable finish, and use the barrel adjuster to attain correct cable rigidity.

Upkeep

Much like shifting suspension components, most dropper submit producers advocate cleansing, inspecting, and lubricating your submit after each experience and performing their model of a full service between 100 and 200 hours of driving. Many posts are designed to be user-serviceable, and they are often taken aside, cleaned, and relubricated with normal instruments and slightly time. Elements for a lot of posts can be found for buy, and this could prevent cash whereas retaining your dropper working effectively in the long run.

YT Szepter Core 4 dropper postYT Szepter Core 4 dropper post
Some full gravel bikes, just like the YT Szepter Core 4 pictured right here, include dropper posts just like the RockShox Reverb XPLR AXS; (photograph/Jeremy Benson)

Droppers for Gravel Bikes

Because the gravel bike market continues to develop and mature, some fashions are coming geared up with dropper posts, and/or the frames function inner cable routing to accommodate one. In fact, not everybody wants or desires a dropper on their gravel bike, however those that experience steeper, rougher roads or wish to enterprise onto singletrack trails might discover that the advantages outweigh the slight weight penalty.

Most, however not all, gravel bikes have smaller 27.2 mm seat tube diameters, and happily, many manufacturers now make droppers on this measurement to satisfy the rising demand. Normally, dropper posts made for gravel bikes have much less journey, starting from round 50 mm to 125 mm. On the extra reasonably priced finish of the spectrum, OneUp Elements makes the V3 27.2 in 90 and 120 mm drop lengths.

Crankbrothers provides one of many largest ranges of drop lengths with 60, 80, 100, and 125 mm choices for his or her Highline XC Gravel submit. Fox makes a 27.2 mm model of its light-weight Tranfer SL in each Manufacturing facility and Efficiency Elite in each 50 mm and 70 mm drop lengths. On the excessive finish of the value spectrum, the RockShox Reverb XPLR AXS brings wi-fi dropper know-how to your gravel rig.

Riding the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty with a Crankbrothers Highline gravel dropper postRiding the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty with a Crankbrothers Highline gravel dropper post
Droppers on gravel bikes may be nice relying on the place and the way you experience your drop bar bike; (photograph/Heather Benson)

Worth & Worth

Dropper posts are virtually at all times dearer than inflexible posts, however contemplating the efficiency advantages they supply, we really feel they’re value their weight in gold. Like something in mountain biking, we have now fairly just a few choices, and so they come at a reasonably big selection of costs. Fortunately, most fashionable mountain bikes include dropper posts, however many individuals select to improve to one thing that works or matches higher than the inventory choice. So, how a lot must you spend, and what’s the distinction?

Be aware: Most aftermarket dropper posts don’t include a distant lever. Most dropper posts will work with most dropper levers, so if you have already got one, you may be capable to use it with no matter submit you select. That stated, not all dropper submit remotes are created equal, and a few merely work, really feel, and look higher than others. When buying a brand new submit, you may additionally must consider the price of a brand new distant lever into the equation. They sometimes value between $40 and $70, relying on the model/mannequin.

Price range

As of late, you may get a useful dropper for round $150, however we expect most individuals including an aftermarket submit to their bike ought to count on to spend about $200. It’s not that cheaper droppers don’t work, however based mostly on our expertise, we expect you get a better degree of efficiency and sturdiness by spending just a bit bit extra.

For these working on a funds, the least costly mannequin on this information, the PNW Loam, will set you again round or simply over $200 (plus a bit extra for a distant in case you don’t have already got one). This submit doesn’t reinvent the wheel, however it performs very effectively and is an distinctive worth for anybody who doesn’t have extra to spend.

Testing the OneUp Components V3 dropper postTesting the OneUp Components V3 dropper post
OneUp’s V3 dropper within reason priced and excessive efficiency; (photograph/Heather Benson)

Mid-Tier

Shifting only a bit larger within the value vary, we expect most individuals will discover the very best ratio of value and efficiency within the $270 to $400 vary. We understand that’s a fairly large unfold, however that’s additionally the place a lot of the finest dropper posts in the marketplace land on the value spectrum. Right here we regularly discover smoother journey, lighter weights, and particular options that set some fashions aside.

On the decrease finish of this vary, the $270 OneUp V3 Dropper is tremendous clean, has a brief stack peak and brief general size, is available in essentially the most drop size choices, and is without doubt one of the lightest fashions in the marketplace. The OneUp V3’s mixture of efficiency attributes makes it one among our absolute favorites and arguably the very best worth yow will discover.

As costs climb, we begin to see options like the flowery Kashima-coated stanchion on the Fox Switch Manufacturing facility ($339), the bleed valve on the Bike Yoke Revive 3.0 ($350 – $400), or the self-bleeding cartridge on the Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 ($350 – $396). Usually talking, we additionally see a rise in smoothness and high quality, and these posts are supposed to be user-serviceable and supply a few years of devoted service. Most manufacturers additionally promote small components so at-home mechanics can hold them working easily without having to shell out more money to get it repaired at a store.

riding a trail above Lake Tahoe while testing the Rock Shox Reverb AXS dropper postriding a trail above Lake Tahoe while testing the Rock Shox Reverb AXS dropper post
Wi-fi posts just like the RockShox Reverb AXS usually come spec’d on high-end builds like this $14,000 Yeti ASR; (photograph/Heather Benson)

Premium

Above the mid-tier value vary, the price of dropper posts jumps method as much as greater than $800. There are solely a small handful of fashions method up right here within the value stratosphere, with a lot larger prices related to wi-fi know-how. RockShox was the primary to market with the wi-fi Reverb AXS ($861) dropper, and it made a really large splash each when it comes to value and a serious development in wi-fi know-how on mountain bikes. It additionally occurs to work very, very effectively, albeit a tad heavier than wired choices.

Fox arrived a bit later to the wi-fi dropper submit get together however has developed its personal wi-fi protocol in an try to realize the higher hand. Launched in the summertime of 2024, the Fox Switch Neo ($839) was the model’s first wi-fi part — and a positive signal they’re growing many extra — and it capabilities equally to the Reverb AXS. We haven’t examined Fox’s wi-fi submit but, however we hope to get our fingers on one within the close to future.

Does anybody really want a wi-fi dropper on their bike? Completely not. Is it cool that we have now the choice? We predict so. Nonetheless, until you’re swimming in disposable revenue, we expect the added value of upgrading to wi-fi is difficult to justify when cheaper choices carry out simply as effectively (however with cables).

A mountain biker ripping around a bermed turn while riding with a dropper postA mountain biker ripping around a bermed turn while riding with a dropper post
Dropper posts permit us to experience tougher and extra effectively with our saddles on the acceptable peak for the scenario; (photograph/Heather Benson)

Incessantly Requested Questions

Mountain bikes can definitely be ridden with no dropper submit, and for a few years we didn’t even have the choice. Whereas many riders have been sluggish to undertake this new know-how as a consequence of weight and reliability issues with early fashions, they’ve since develop into ubiquitous on most bikes for a lot of causes.

Over the previous decade, dropper posts have develop into lighter, extra dependable, and extra sturdy. The power to boost and decrease your seat for the terrain in entrance of you means that you can at all times have the suitable saddle peak, whether or not you’re driving up or downhill. Adjusting saddle peak on the fly makes it simpler to maneuver in regards to the bike and transfer the bike beneath you, leading to higher management.

Whereas some posts are fairly costly, there are additionally extra reasonably priced choices that work very effectively. Worth is much less of a limiting issue than it as soon as was.

So, sure, until you’re an elite-level XC racer who’s making an attempt to have the lightest bike doable — and will go for a lighter inflexible submit — it’s best to completely be driving with a dropper submit in your mountain bike. The efficiency advantages far outweigh the burden penalty of including one to your bike.

Leaving your bike’s dropper submit compressed for an prolonged time frame is just not really helpful. When the dropper submit is compressed, the inner air stress is elevated, which may put further stress on the inner elements of the dropper submit, probably resulting in untimely put on and failure.

Moreover, leaving your dropper submit compressed could cause the hydraulic fluid to develop into trapped on one facet of the submit, which may have an effect on its efficiency the following time you utilize it. This might result in injury to the seals and different inner elements over time.

To maximise the lifespan and efficiency of your submit, it’s finest to retailer it within the absolutely prolonged place when not in use. This can assist to make sure that the inner elements aren’t subjected to pointless stress or stress and that the hydraulic fluid is distributed evenly all through the submit.

That’s to not say you shoudn’t depart your dropper submit compressed for shorter durations of time. For instance, we regularly journey with our bikes on hitch bike racks for a lot of hours at a time with our droppers compressed to maintain the bikes from interfering with one another. We’ve by no means had any points.

It’s usually not really helpful to hold your bike by the dropper submit for prolonged durations of time, as this could put extreme stress on the inner elements of the submit and probably trigger injury. 

Whereas clamping to the dropper submit stanchion in a bike restore stand is just not preferrred, and a few producers advocate towards it as a result of it’s doable to crush the stanchion tube with clamping stress, we’ve had no points doing so constantly for brief durations of time with any submit.

You’ll, nonetheless, wish to clamp frivolously and wrap the submit in a rag or use rubber jaws to keep away from scratching the dropper submit stanchion. Like with suspension elements, scratches on the dropper submit stanchion could cause untimely put on on seals and introduce dust and mud into the dropper internals.

Drilling a gap in a body with out inner dropper submit cable routing is not really helpful and will certainly void any warranties in your body. It might additionally compromise the structural integrity of the body, which might trigger critical damage. When you have a body with out inner routing, buy a submit with exterior cable routing.

Externally routed droppers are much less widespread, however there are a number of fashions in the marketplace to suit bikes with out inner dropper routing. On some hardtail frames, you MAY be capable to route cable housing by means of the seat tube water bottle mounts, however this may be fairly tough.


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