Best Dropper...?

OneUp best, BrandX best bang for buck.

BikeYoke is probably the best quality and easiest to service, OneUp gives you the most drop but Brand X is still generally best value.

I've got a Brand X which works perfectly. Also got a One Up in 240mm which is amazing if you can squeeze one in.

My reverb AXS has been faultless for the 3+ years I've had it...the non-axs wasn't so good as I had several warranty replacements.

Brand-x is decent and seems to be best for the price.

My favourite is the Trans X adjustable dropper, in other words an adjustable Brand X 170 to 200mm adjustable in 5mm increments, brilliant if you change frame, which I do often. Not sure it's available anymore but it makes so much sense, particularly when it was £60.
My favourite remote is the Shimano MT500 at £20.

Brand X has quite a high stack collar on it, One up is much shorter.

It does mean that you'll be able to get a longer drop in a One Up dropper.

Btw, at the moment the Fox Transfer 175mm can be found new for LESS then the 170mm Brand X.

Oneup currently £135 at merlin, minus any other discount for loyalty points. 

I only need 150mm max.

Oneup currently £135 at merlin, minus any other discount for loyalty points.

Plus lever at £40, plus cable kit at £40.... I'll see tomorrow what I'm being paid this month which will help the decision, I'd liker too go for the One Up if I can.

Btw, at the moment the Fox Transfer 175mm can be found new for LESS then the 170mm Brand X.

But not less than the 125/150 Brand X at £139, and you need to add lever & cables. I  don't need 175mm unless your pricing includes all the gubbins?

My £99 Transfer from CRC came with the lever.

On the plus side - would a Brand X lever work with a Fox Performance Elite post?   If so, those two can be had for £150 in the size I need.

Oh, and they great imo. Brand X is great value but the Transfer is the better post. I’ve got both.

In fact, what size do you need as I’ll be selling my as new Brand X having replaced it with the cheap Transfer? Obviously cheaper than a new one, 31.6/150mm.

Ha!  Well 31.6 / 150 is what I need....   how much? Does it come with a lever & cables? Drop me a PM?

Best = Brand X
Worst = Giant

Transfer works with the cable clampb at the lever end 👍

The mt500 Shimano lever is lovely but the transfer from wiggle comes with a lever

@Kryton57 the main issue with levers is which end uses the cable nubbin and which uses a grub screw as far as I'm aware.

This Bontrager dropper remote feels and works pretty much the same as the OneUp lever but less than half the price.
https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/components-c9/seatposts-seat-clamps-c86/bontrager-line-elite-dropper-under-bar-lever-p23607/s72545?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=bontrager-line-elite-dropper-under-bar-lever-colours-black-colours-black-582177&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-vy7wZ6wgwMVwaaDBx2lCAdiEAQYAyABEgIskPD_BwE

@kramer many motorcycle places have the grub screw barrels so that the cable can be clamped at the post end so pretty much any lever/post combo can be made to work

Solderless nipples

£40 for a cable inner and outer? 

As above, Shimano or bontrager dropper for £20.

+1 for the Tranzx which are available here, doesn’t include a lever and only in 30.9. Run mine with an old front shifter adapted, see YouTube for how.

<br />They used to be available for around £50 so not as good value vs Brandx now but very pleased with mine run for over a year with no problems.

https://sportandleisure.com/products/tranzx-rad-adjustable-travel-dropper-post-30-9mm-170mm-travel

Wait wait wait, I'm viewing through a fog of Xmas red wine, need clarity.

So the Fox transfer comes with a lever, but needs a cable & outer?

The Fox transfer has the nubbin at the post end? But if it comes with a lever is doesn't matter cause any cable will do?  Any cable really? what cable is needed?

And finally, also on Triton's site is a complete Bontrager Line post for £150 - any good?

Brand x can't be beaten on value, but axs for best performance that I've used hands down, had one three years with no issues at all.

I got a Fox Transfer post a couple of weeks ago from CRC (150mm / 31.6mm for £110) and it came with a Fox lever, but no way of connecting it to an iSpec EV mount or straight to the handlebar. Managed to find on ebay the Fox iSpec EV adaptor for about £11 (FOX Factory I-Spec Remote Adaptor For Dropper Transfer Remotes 825-05-007-KIT). Ordered a Shimano road gear cable set from Bike Tart for £5.95 including postage to complete the install.

Certainly a nicer feeling and looking lever than the Brand X Ascend and smoother / lighter action.

Fox Transfer isn’t at all user serviceable and is expensive come service time to get fixed - personally I’d swerve that one.
I think Brand X is the best value - and the ones I’ve had have just kept going with very little maintenance. If they do need it, it’s cheap and easy to do at home.
Oneup v2 are what I use as you can get the most drop in any space due to the low saddle clamp height and top collar stack height. I do think they have compromised the seals slightly to get the low stack height in the collar though as I find they need more tlc than Brand X do in my experience. It’s a simple strip and regrease though so I’m good with that.
Bikeyoke are supposed to be the premium option - never used them though so I can’t really comment.
Reverb - no thanks - all the ones I’ve ever seen have been saggy or have that stupid button thing.

With the Oneup I don’t know where you’re getting £40 for a cable kit from - it’s just a gear cable inner and outer. Can get a Clarks set for about a fiver. Pretty much any lever will do - doesn’t have to be the really expensive Oneup one. Could be wolftooth / brand x / Bontrager / Shimano. I use the Ztto ones that I got from eBay. Got 2 of them and they’ve been perfect.

I have a BikeYoke Divine - not cheap (about £300), but on the other hand it’s easily user serviceable, very reliable, and I tend to keep bikes for a long time so don’t mind some extra cost up front, especially if I can recoup that later through lower service costs. It also has a low collar height, which matters to me because I have a short inside leg for my height so need to make the best use of every cm I can.

Can you not get the Magura repaired?

Thanks.

Subject to HMRC's impact at the end of the week it looks like a brand x or the discounted one-up with a brand x/cheap lever.   I have a gear cable & outer already and didn't realise it was just a standard cable.     That also gives me 24hrs to have a bash at the Vyron and try to get it less sticky.   GT85 worked last time as an urgent fix, but lets see.

Can you not get the Magura repaired?

Probably, I've already dropped a mail to Magura.  I'd quite like to because of the option to easily swap it to my race bike if needed.

I’m also thinking that for the riding I do in the SE, who needs a dropper anyway…

I'm in this camp at the moment, occasionally and usually after a particularly squeaky moment following a rare steep drop when I find bits of myself inconveniently behind and below the saddle I revisit the idea..

Tried one on a rental bike last summer in the Alps, I can see the advantages.

I think my Scott Scale RC can cope with the internal routing, but I'm too tight to fork out for a light weight one.

Ive had a few droppers over the years

Brand X x3 great value for money, never had any real issues

Reverb x2 both worked great until one of them got the dreaded squish

One Up x2 both sent back straight after their first fitting, seemed to have lots of play and both had a knocking noise when you sat on them (even swapped them over for a FOX one to make sure it was the post knocking)

FOX Transfer x2 both faultless and have never been serviced in the the 3 years ive had them, mudguard keeps the crap off and once a year i clean out the seal with a zip tie and squirt some FOX shock fluid down the seal

Marzocchi Transfer x1 exactly the same as a FOX transfer, see above

PNW x1 was faulty straight out the box, sent back and got a replacement which i then sold and replaced with a FOX Transfer

KS dropper x2 both became faulty with 6 months both sent back and replaced with Brand X ones

I'm pretty sure my one-up came with the cable. I ordered post and lever so not sure which part it came with (think it was the lever)

In my opinion either the Brand X or the OneUp. I’ve got both and no issues with either. Maintenance so far has been keeping them clean, applying some suspension grease under the seal every now and again, as well as wiping the stanchion with some silicone lube after washing.

Highly recommended.

OneUp best, BrandX best bang for buck

I have both and can concur

Recently got an "XLC" which seemed Very similar to a Brand X ascend II (external routing version, with cable and lever). It was £50 rather than £80-130 chiggle are currently asking for.

Trans-X come from the same factory too I'm told.

The brand X comes with lever and cable 

The fox has a lever but you need a SRAM bar clamp 

so therefore is Brand X still the best?

No, never has been. Bike Yoke are the best, followed by One Up, then maybe Brand X for value.

I'm not sure why you're even considering buying a new dropper without having at least worked out what the issue with the Vyron is and how much it would cost to have it repaired? We really need to stop treating expensive, repairable components as disposable items.

Google suggests that a factory service for a Vyron is around 140 euros, but it might even be DIY fixable depending on what the issue is - often with droppers it's lack of air pressure or the need for a quick strip-down and lube. How long have you had the Vyron? It might still be under warranty.

ps: from this forum.

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/excellent-service-from-magura-vyron-dropper-content/

My vyron is like the triggers broom of the dropper world. It's been in for service / repair to magura 3 times and each time has come back as a replacement unit as it was easier for them to ship a replacement than service it.  It's 8 years old now

I like my pnw post, they were available for about 120 before Xmas so may still be a few around.

with a brand x/cheap lever

Whatever you do don't choose the Brand X lever against the £20 Shimano MT500. The Shimano is far better built and much better to use.

I’m not sure why you’re even considering buying a new dropper without having at least worked out what the issue with the Vyron is and how much it would cost to have it repaired? We really need to stop treating expensive, repairable components as disposable items.

I am working on the Vyron issue, but because I'm perhaps fortunate enough to be able to have the the Vyron permanently on the Race bike and have another dependable option on the Trail Bike.

Brand X has quite a high stack collar on it, One up is much shorter.

It does mean that you’ll be able to get a longer drop in a One Up dropper.

Managed to get a 200mm Brand X in my large Big Al

Whatever you do don’t choose the Brand X lever against the £20 Shimano MT500. The Shimano is far better built and much better to use.

Not tried a Shimano lever, but when the Brand X was so cheap, seems daft spending extra and the lever seems absolutely fine to me

Brand x for me, followed by oneup.

After 10 years of dropper posts, Ive come to the conclusion that they're consumables.

BrandX in particular hits the sweet spot of ease of service/cost of purchase/warranty.

I'd definitely not get another Fox transfer. Would like a bike yoke dropper, but they're bloody expensive for a thing that goes up and down.

Not tried a Shimano lever, but when the Brand X was so cheap, seems daft spending extra and the lever seems absolutely fine to me

It does work, I had both at one stage. The Shimano lever feels at least twice the price in terms of build and function, because of its design, with a wheel/bushings around which the cable goes.

The Shimano one is £17 despite coming with SP41 outer and a coated cable. The Brand X is £25 in the scenario that the OP mentioned, ie buying a OneUp.

If I bought another Brand X dropper I would buy a Shimano lever and sell the Brand X one for £20.

If I bought another Brand X dropper I would buy a Shimano lever and sell the Brand X one for £20.

I have exactly this in mind/the wiggle basket.

For a 150mm I would actually buy the Fox at £123 + MT500 at £17 = £140.

Then sell the Fox remote for £25 even without the bar clamp.

Does it work with a standard brake cable?

And people above are saying the Fox is less serviceable/more costly?   I'm not worried about "bling" on my Occam, just average reliability.

Specialized command post if you fancy a free castration.

Does it work with a standard brake cable?

With any gear cable. The MT500 comes with both Shimano inner and outer, green coated and SP41. Excellent stuff.

The old Fox wasn't great ; the current one has a very good reputation for reliability.

Seems like a cost effective solution, flashiness just a bonus.

So, the Fox Transfer + Shimano lever kit has arrived.   I haven’t heard from Magura yet but will give them a could have days seeing as they may have shut for Xmas.  I’ll have the Occam apart (easier to remove the BB for the cable routing) at the weekend to add the post.

I’m thinking I might sell the Vyron you know, either the current one as spares / repair or a replacement.  Having played on juniors bike having a lever feels more tactile and natural than a button.  Note 100% sure yet though.

I tried the Shimano level (the XTR one MT800), very nice lever and comes with nice cable, but runs very close to the handlebar (i-spec EV version), so don't find it that great to use when compared to Bike Yoke Triggy.

Wonder if the band on version of the MT500 sit further from the bar?

That said you can get MT500 and MT800 levers for very good prices and inc. cable is good and would still have one over a brandx etc.

Specialized command post if you fancy a free castration.

The Specialized Plum Crusher or Stumpjumper Kiss as it is known in our household.... *slam*

I'll go against the grain - the two normal Reverbs I've had (internally routed and external) have been great. Lasted well and continue(d) to work after a service 2'ish years into ownership.

Just removed an SDG Tellis (?) from my Five. It never seemed to work that well anyway but recently all the anodising on the shaft has disappeared down the back of the post and having not used the bike for 3 months, its packed in altogether. Won't stay up so decided to bin it and try a Brand X. Not ridden it yet but for starters, the basic looking lever is a million times more sturdy feeling than the flimsy POS that comes with the SDG post...