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Just placed a deposit on a Pace RC529 frame. Decided that a full sus was just too much bike for 90% of my riding.
So now I have money available for a new fork (waiting for availability on a Pike Ultimate 140mm) and a dropper to fit the new frame. So that's what I'm after advice on now please....
One Up or Brand X? I currently have a Brand X on the Scandal and no problems with it. But does the One Up have a nicer lever feel? If so that would be the deciding factor
Are both cable operated? If so, surely keeping the cable lubed and clean will improve the lever on both? If Brand-X is working perfectly for you then go with what you know...there are alternative levers available that will work with both if you really feel the need to change how the lever feels.
One up has quite a short pull to operate compared to the brand X, when used with a bontrager lever. It can also return faster as the psi is adjustable. And it's lighter and has a shorter stack.
I would like to say that I've been using the PNW Roam Dropper and it's been fantastic. A little more than a bx xl but you can size up if you're frame will allow and then use the travel adjustment to get as much travel as you can.
I like a seat that slammed on the frame and it looks better without lots of seat post sticking out the frame.
The adjustment is dead easy to use, you could do it without tools trail side if you wanted.
You can even change the colour of the band that goes around the top of the post to suit your bike.
Mechanically it hasn't missed a step, you can change the return speed via a valve under the seat, I like mine at max psi so you get a reassuring "clunk" when it hits full extension.
Not a huge difference in brand x vs oneup. From personal experience I think the brand x is better sealed against mud. But the Oneup can fit a bigger drop into any given space - and you can adjust the travel.
I squeezed in a Oneup v2 210 with a 10mm spacer to run 200mm of travel. I don’t think any other dropper would get me that much travel in the space available.
In terms of feel they’re similar - perhaps the Oneup is a touch harder to push the lever.
PNW all the way.
I have a OneUp on my eCrafty and it's really nice. Height adjustable with little brass bits too. I had a knackered RSP Plummet on it previously and even with a lever upgrade it felt like a thumb stretch/workout to make it drop/pop. No effort at all with the OneUp.
I have a One Up v2 on my hardtail, had an issue a little while ago in that it seized and wouldnt move, admittedly it had been on for 18 months through 2 winters and never touched apart from a top up of air every now and again.
They have a really good guide online about how to take it apart and service it with very few tools, which i did and it hasnt been a problem since.
Never used a brand x, but i can recommend a crank brothers highline, have one of those on my full suss and its been faultless, not got a very quick return but apparently they did that deliberately to focus on longevity of the cartridge, mines knocking on for 4 years old now and still going strong.
Brand X on multiple bikes been working well. Like the ZTTO levers too….oh and I love my 529!
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Running a Brand X with Wolf Tooth standard pull lever here. Hasn't missed a beat after two years of abuse, although I do fully strip it down and relube once every 6 months.
I did pick mine up for £90 delivered from CRC before the price-demic sent costs soaring. Not sure I'd pay the £150 they seem to go for now.
Thanks for the input so far. As I've just shelled out £580 (with VAT etc yet to pay) on a fork from r2 bike which will arrive in Sept just like the frame, I think I'll probably go with another Brand X. Can't wait to build up the bike with my Mavic Crossmax XL which arrive tomorrow 😀
Gonna recoup some of the money by selling the Scandal as a rolling chassis hopefully.
One Up or Brand X?
PNW.
The quality is noticeably better, for same or £20 more.
https://www.pnwcomponents.com/collections/shop-all-droppers
Got Brand X on my HT and One Up on the FS
I cant tell any difference and the Brand X was half the price of the One Up
Well as I was willing to go up to One Up prices, after reading as many reviews as I could find I have ordered a PNW 170mm dropper. If it sucks I'll just blame @matt_outandabout. I can hold a grudge for eternity 😁
Good choice. I'm very pleased with my PNW post. I run it with the cheapest Shimano dropper lever and prefer it to my Brand X post with ZTTO lever on the other bike.