Dropper Posts
Michael Hanslip looks at the dropper-post phenomenon and reviews four of the most popular options. Roadies may seek out the optimal saddle height – the ‘one true position’ that provides the most efficient pedalling – but mountain bikers have always held different priorities.
Riding with the saddle up high may allow for efficient pedalling on smooth trails, but it also makes the bike more of a handful when the terrain turns rough, steep and technical. Skilled XC riders may manage just fine with the saddle at full height but the vast majority are safer, faster and more confident with a lower seat height.
Quick-release seatpost clamps have been around since the first mass-produced mountain bikes in the 1980s and are still common on frames in the trail and all-mountain categories (in fact, my first MTB had a strange seatpost with a quick release head on it so the fore-aft position of the saddle could be changed out on the trail too—I never really figured out what to do with that one!). However, stopping at the top of a descent to lower the saddle is really only practical in big hill terrain, where you ride up for a long while before going all the way down again. Rolling terrain is better tackled with a single seat height—often a compromised position that is sub-optimal for everything.
I remember the ‘Hite Rite’ as the first device that attempted to speed the seat height adjustment process for riders. It was a big steel spring that attached to your standard seatpost via a collar and permitted 75 or 110 mm of vertical movement whilst keeping the saddle pointed roughly straight ahead during adjustments. It required a near-perfect fit between the frame and the post and you needed good coordination to use it whilst riding, as you had to reach between your legs and undo the quick release before the saddle would move.
Fast forward around 20 years and we now have a good number of on-the-fly height adjustable seatposts to choose from. These new generation ‘dropper-posts’ permit between 75mm and 125mm of height adjustment, often without removing your hand from the bars. For this group test we assembled four of the most commonly available aftermarket posts and spent a month using each to see how they work. While four weeks isn’t enough saddle-time to draw any conclusions on their long-term durability, I’ve also looked into the serviceability of each product.
Finally, we consider the broader question; is it worth adding a height adjustable post to your bike? Certainly the industry seems convinced they are the way to go and by the time you read this there’ll be new models available from Fox and Giant that weren’t around when we kicked off this review. Numerous companies now specify dropper posts on new bikes and many more include cable guides for the handlebar remote on their trail and all-mountain frames.
Crank Brothers Joplin 4R $439
Distributed by JetBlack (02) 4560 1200
| Price (with & without remote) | $439 / $399 |
| Travel | 100mm |
| Diameters | 30.9 & 31.6mm |
| Length | 389mm |
| Post | 538g |
| Remote Lever | 29g |
| Total (inc remote & cable) | 621g |
The Joplin post is now in its third generation. It began life as a Maverick branded product and was later offered for sale under the Crank Brothers name. With the most recent change it has gained an extra inch of travel (hence the ‘four’ in the name), which equates to 100mm of height adjustment. The R stands for ‘remote’, as the Joplin is available either with a bar mounted remote lever, or a direct seatpost mounted lever to actuate the height adjustment.
The remote is a clever ‘joystick’ device; push the stick in any direction and the seat is released for up or down motion. This remote was by far the best one in the test and the joystick can easily be set for thumb or forefinger actuation, as well as left or right placement on the bars.
For what its worth, the Joplin comes delivered in the fanciest packaging of the posts that we had on review. More importantly, the post itself is a very attractive item—I thought the black and gold colour scheme looked really good. The remote cable exits from the rear of the seatpost head, which seems like the better option for cable management.
The Joplin requires a few changes in habit compared to other posts. If it hasn’t been used for some time, or if it has been placed upside down, it can require numerous cycles through its travel before it returns smoothly upwards. If you lift the bike by the seat and it is not fully extended, the post pulls up, which is initially disconcerting. Then the reverse occurs when you sit, as the post drops back to its original height.
For me, the main design issue came from the placement of the remote cable anchor-point on the top of the post. It sticks up a fair way and would contact the underside of my saddle when riding, which can’t be good for long-term durability of saddle or post. This will obviously vary depending on your choice of saddle but the Joplin provides less saddle clearance than the other posts that we had on test.
The return speed of the Joplin is on the slow side and there’s little scope to speed it up (at least you’ll never hurt yourself by getting smacked by a flying seat). Internally the post runs 50psi but upping the air pressure is not recommended. The stock 5wt oil can be swapped for 2.5wt to speed the return action but this increases the likelihood of air and oil mixing. This cavitation stifles the seatpost action and means you’ll need to cycle the post a few times to return its normal action. Some may also choose to run 7.5 or 10wt oil, this further slows the movement but improves the overall consistency of the return action.
Unlike the other posts on review, the Joplin offers a degree of user serviceability. Crank Brothers recommends a basic service every 100 hours and the required instructions come with the post. This lets you clean and re-lube the key-ways that control the sliding action. You can also replace the ASP guide blocks that prevent rotational movement, although it’s far more likely that these will be loose rather than worn as they rely on very low torque to hold them in place. More in-depth maintenance (such as replacing oil seals) should be handled by a qualified technician and JetBlack has a full service centre that handles work such as this. We didn’t encounter any issues with the test sample and it had virtually no play in any direction.
RockShox Reverb $380
Distributed by Monza Imports (03) 8327 8080
| Price | $380 |
| Travel (available options) | 100 & 125mm |
| Diameters | 30.9 & 31.6mm |
| Length | 380/420mm |
| Post | 472g |
| Remote Lever | 41g |
| Total (inc remote & cable) | 558g |
RockShox brings considerable suspension experience to the seatpost game and it shows in several details. The top seal on the post looks much like the sort you’ll find on their suspension forks—they do an excellent job with their forks and should do a similarly excellent job with the post.
The remote mechanism relies on their innovative hydraulic X-Loc lever—just like their top-level XX suspension forks. Instead of a Bowden-style shift cable, the remote uses hydraulic fluid in the hose. Holding down the biro-like button opens the adjustment mechanism, while a rotary adjuster on the hose changes the return speed. It is extremely smooth and light in action compared with the shift-cable alternatives and impervious to contamination from mud. As an added bonus for SRAM drivetrain owners, the remote is ‘Match Maker X’ compatible, meaning one less clamp on the handlebars and a tidier cockpit.
The longer 425mm Reverb post offers 125mm of adjustment, placing it at the longer travel end of the market. RockShox also offers a 380mm long, 100mm travel version for those who ride without a lot of post showing from their frame.
With a hydraulic actuator, the post is like disc brakes in that air contamination will impede the function of the remote. To this end the post comes with a RockShox bleed kit (which looks a lot like an Avid brake bleed kit except it uses hydraulic fluid and not DOT brake fluid) and the pieces you would require to shorten the long hose to fit your bike.
In use there were no major quirks with the Reverb; the seat does not lift up if you pick up the bike by the saddle and twin-bolt clamp makes it easy to fine-tune the saddle tilt. There was more for-aft play in the Reverb than with the other posts. Having said that, the play was never noticed during riding and was a very small amount—only two to three millimetres fore-aft motion with the saddle all the way up.
The Reverb is the only post that comes supplied with cable management pieces for those of us without dedicated guides on the frame. First there is a funnel-shaped piece that guides the cable off the seatpost as it descends. Then they included several mounts that allow the remote cable to be affixed to another cable under the top tube. I feel this is an excellent touch, as good cable routing is an important aspect of any dropper post set-up. With all of these posts the actuator attaches to the moving part of the post and you don’t want the cable getting caught on anything throughout its travel.
As with a suspension fork, the Reverb post is 100% serviceable, although you’ll need to get this maintenance done by a suitably qualified dealer or by sending the post into the national service centre (either at Monza Imports or SRAM’s Australian service centre). With a good suspension quality seal and a contamination-free hydraulic remote the Reverb certainly promises a trouble-free service life.
Specialized Command Post BlackLite $349
Distributed by Specialized Australia 1300 499 330
| Price | $349 (remote only) |
| Travel (available options) | 75, 100 & 125mm |
| Diameters | 30.9 & 31.6mm |
| Length | 300mm (75mm), 380mm (100mm) & 420mm (125mm) |
| Post | 500g |
| Remote Lever | 18g |
| Total (inc remote & cable) | 579g |
New for 2012, the latest incarnation of the Command Post is around 100g lighter than the 2011 model, while also featuring a design that’s said to improve durability and reliability. Specialized offers it in three travel options; 75, 100 and 125mm travel (which are 300, 380 and 420mm long respectively). I tested the 125 mm version.
The Command Post is covered in subtle black-on-black graphics that makes it almost a shame to hide by inserting into the bike frame—on my bike most of the graphics were down inside the seat tube.
Most dropper posts offer infinite adjustment and can be positioned at any spot within their travel range. The Specialized offering differs by having three pre-set saddle positions; all the way up, down a bit and all the way down. A collet mechanism locks the post positively in any of these positions—pick this one up by the seat and the post stays fixed in place.
In use I really preferred the set positions. With more time I’d probably get used to putting the other posts into a specific location, but with the Specialized you don’t have to worry. The middle position is absolutely perfect for climbing technical trails; high enough to pedal yet low enough to remain well balanced. Unfortunately the middle position proved difficult to locate. Even after weeks of riding, I still missed the middle position too often and ended up at the bottom—going to sit on a slightly low post and falling all the way down is disconcerting at best and potentially painful.
Like the HiLo and the Joplin, this post uses the Bontrager-style single bolt seat clamp on top. These clamps are easy enough to use but do have some special requirements; it’s important to grease the bolt and keep it really tight, while the side plates and the socket they fit into need to be clean and dry when assembled. Fail to follow these instructions and the saddle may not stay put.
With no hydraulic damping, this post returns to the top position like a launch pad. I am sure practice would make perfect, but I managed to get in the way of the speeding saddle a couple of times during my review rides—ouch! This return speed is highly dependent on the air pressure inside the post. With 20psi it returned gently but sometimes got stuck. With 25psi the return was snappy and consistent.
The latest version of the Command Post uses keyed metal pieces to minimise wear and prevent rotational saddle motion. These metal parts are designed to deform and remain snug in their channels throughout their lifespan. Maintenance is inevitable with any moving part, and Specialized recommends annual servicing by a by a qualified Specialized dealer. A range of internal spares are available for the Command Post and the service centres will be able to replace any parts that show signs of wear.
A nice touch with the Specialized post was the quick release remote cable mount. Both the outer housing stop and the cable anchor-point are slotted. This simple addition allows you to detach the cable without tools—very handy when you want to remove the post for transportation or bike cleaning. With all of the other posts on test, detaching the remote required tools and/or left you dealing with crimped and frayed cables.
X-Fusion HiLo $254
Distributed by DIY MTB (02) 4446 4636
| Price | $254 (remote only in Aus) |
| Travel | 100mm |
| Diameters | 27.2, 30.9 & 31.6mm |
| Length | 410mm |
| Post | 667g |
| Remote Lever | 19g |
| Total (inc remote & cable) | 726g |
Those familiar with the X-Fusion name will probably know them for producing good quality suspension forks at very competitive prices. Their HiLo dropper post certainly seems to continue this theme. This post offered performance that equalled, and in some cases bettered, the performance of the other offerings with a price tag that was at least $100 lower.
With 100mm of remote-actuated adjustment, it sits mid-field travel stakes. The rebound speed was smooth and prompt without threatening to your nether-regions. The slim-profile remote lever has a split clamp that allows easy mounting without disturbing your other controls. It’s also the only seatpost on test that’s offered in a skinny 27.2mm diameter for old-school frames, as well as the more common 30.9 and 31.6mm sizes.
While the HiLo is not intended to be user serviceable, the post can be returned to the Australian distributor for maintenance if required. The seal itself looks like a good one—as you’d expect from a suspension manufacturer.
Although the seat will rise up should you lift the bike by the saddle when it’s in a lowered position, it returns to the original position as soon as you let go. Like the other posts on review, it didn’t have enough play to be discernable whilst riding—it really left nothing wanting from a performance perspective.
The HiLo shares its head design with the Crank Brothers Joplin and Specialized posts, so the same assembly pointers apply to eliminate the risk of saddle movement. While the remote anchor point shares visual similarities with the Joplin, the lever doesn’t stick straight up, and therefore offers better clearance for low-slung saddles.
In fact the only real negative points that we can pinpoint come with its weight and the cable anchor-point. With the post itself weighing 667g, it’s 129g heavier than the Joplin and close to 200g more than the lightest post on review. While this could be a deal-breaker for some, many will happily disregard the grams for the dollars saved. The cable anchor really mangles the inner wire when tightened. It does so to the point where the inner cable becomes a single-use item, as it comes out broken and frayed every time. A simple revision of the clamp would solve this little problem but that’s the way it stands in its current form.
Out on the trail I never noticed the extra weight and felt the X-Fusion post offered great value for money. Its pricing may be on the budget side but the quality and function left little to be desired.
The Bottom Line
So, would you benefit from a dropper seatpost? Well it’s not hard to find out; just grab your multi-tool or put your quick release to good use. Drop your saddle height by a few inches and attempt that off-putting technical section that usually makes you baulk. You’ll get the idea pretty fast. Instantly there’s greater freedom to move the bike around and it’s much easier to keep your weight low and back, minimising the risk of going over the bars. These traits boost confidence and with greater confidence you’ll tend to ride better.
Dropper posts simply remove the hassle and make lowering the saddle an instantaneous and intuitive action—especially when a handlebar remote is used. In this regard, all of the dropper posts that I’ve reviewed hit the mark.
If your riding typically involves one big climb, followed by an extended and unbroken descent, the benefits may not be worth the expense, added weight and unsightly handlebar clutter—just get a good seatpost quick release and use it. Where the trails are technical and involve lots of consecutive ups and downs, a dropper seatpost can be great.
While there are courses and events where a dropper post on my XC race bike would be nice, ultimately I don’t want the extra weight or complexity during a race. However, I am hooked on the dropper post idea for my trail bike.
At the last minute I used my trail bike in the last Scott 24 hour—the course muddy in places and I didn’t want to wear out my good bike in what is for me just a fun event. At 4am as I headed out for my fifth night lap, I ran the adjustable post slightly lower than full height because my legs were very tired. The lower seat height relieved a bit of stress on my legs as well as making me better able to cope with the rocky sections on the blue lap when my concentration wavered. I’d never considered the comfort benefit of the lower seat height before, but it sat really well at the time (sorry about that pun).
I will definitely be purchasing a height-adjustable seat post for myself. Aside from encouraging skills progression, I’ve found they also up the fun factor, and sometimes riding is only about having fun.
