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I'm sure I saw this somewhere, but can't think where.
I'm going to get a simple dropper for my Arkose, but if all goes to plan I'll be all over North Scotland on it sometime in the coming months and I'd rather not have it break on me out there.
I remember seeing that you can get a kind-of hinged seat clamp that goes onto the shaft of the dropper and keeps it extended in the case of a mechanical. I can only find one that comes with the Reverb now, the Enduro Collar thing. I'm running a KS post though -- does the Reverb one fit or is there another option?
I'm amazed there's actually a market for that, how much are they? I would imagine a bit of old inner tube and a jubilee clip would work just as well, weigh less, and cost a fraction of that clamp?
They cost between £5-10 on eBay. I think their primary purpose is to limit dropper travel in certain circumstances rather than just to fix the post in place. No reason why it wouldn’t work on other droppers - if the dropper diameter was smaller you could pad it with a bit of inner tube or similar. Obviously if the post is bigger it won’t work at all. I’d imagine a jubilee clip would slip quite easily but worth a try I guess..
Leave dropper in the dropped position and pull it up out of the frame to limit.....?
Chances of it suddenly failing are pretty slim I'd have thought.
Its more designed to limit the travel of the dropper than fix it in the event of a mechanical. Im sure ive got a couple floating around. Ill have a look at the weekend, ive also got a ks lev but its 27.2, if it fits ill happily post you one. Obviously 27.2 is a narrow post, if anyone with a sensible sized ks can confirm the shaft size might be better.
Ive never had a trail mechanical that causes the post to stick down, but if that happens the quick fix is to tighten the seatpost clamp so it wont suck down.
Wolftooth Valais does the job I think. Having ridden 20 miles home with a reverb that lost its oil and therefore refused to stay up when sat on and down when not I can see the purpose!
I know this is a stupid suggestion given your situation but a 9point8 dropper post can still function if it "breaks" as it uses a mechanical brake inside instead of a pressurised oil filled cartridge. If you loose any of the air inside it can still be pulled up and pushed down and the brake holds it as normal. This is a useful feature as mine do occasionally like to loose a bit of air now and then. 😀
Anyway... I'll get my coat....
My solution was to buy a Gravity Dropper off of eBay for £30.
There is very little going on with them mechanically - two springs basically - and can be dismantled entirely with a multi tool when you are out and about. Any issues I have had have taken about 5 mins to fix - generally just adding a little dollop of chain lube if lots of minging grit has got in.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm a bit limited for choice, as I've no cable routing on the bike (internal or external) and can't be bothered bodging it, it's a 27.2mm post, and even a 100mm Gravity Dropper fully inserted into the frame is too long! (I've got one as a spare for my MTB.)
I've had one dropper break by loosing its ability to hold my weight so slowly slipping down, and other break by getting stuck up, though if I'd continued to ride it I've no idea if at some point it'd have dropped.
Really wish someone would make an updated Gravity Dropper, cheaper and less ugly.
Also, thanks a lot for the offer nickdavies: as it happens I just bought one from ebay before seeing your message, but it was only £5.
is that what those are for! i've gor perhaps 3 you can have for postage