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For the KAW in a few weeks on my new Nukeproof Digger.
Only thing I've found that is in stock is: https://www.apidura.com/shop/dropper-saddle-pack/
which is ahalf the volume than my current Alpkit Koala. Also the Koala is in great condition so spending all that cash doesn't seem a great idea.
Not sure if there are any other options anyone has tried. Appreciate they are all going to be a bit smaller to clear rear wheel when dropped. Better option might be to fit a standard post for the trip, but that would mean removing the cable from the GRX shifter, and I've no idea how hard that is!
Wee Cog do a dropper specific one .
+1 for DP Mount - works a treat
I'd still need to take the post out for that DP mount. I'll go find something on YT about how to do that. On MTBs, it's easy as you can just pull the actuator off the bar so you can pull the post out. With GRX shifter, I'm assuming I'll need to release the inner somehow.
Will check out wee cog as well. Ta.
Tailfin with the extender. Bit more expensive but more versatile in the long run. https://www.tailfin.cc/
I’d still need to take the post out for that DP mount.
Erm, no you don't. It's in two pieces and bolts around the dropping part of your dropper.
Ah ha, thanks for that I thought the rubber collar thing didn't split when I looked at pics.
@jonll - will take a look. Ta.
I just use a bit of rubber grip round the seatpost and my normal Revelate bag strap around that. I've about 3cm of drop left but I really just accept that I'll not be riding the sort of trail where I'd want a dropper when I'm laden with bikepacking gear.
Cheers @scotroutes. It'd good to have a 'bit' of drop but I take the point I don't need all of it. And if that meant a bit of care when using it to make sure stripes stay round the rubber, that's fine. It's more I can't be bothered to remove/refit it!
Looking at my current Seatpack on the previous bike, there's still a bit of post showing. So I think I'll try your approach by mocking up the Alpkit pack with some old inner tube just to see the practicality of it. Have a feeling the seat rail may not play nicely with the top of the dropper post..
I had a quick look at this last night. Will need some longer bolts for the seatpost. That's so I can get the rail adaptor in there. Looks like it'll work tho. I'll post some pics when I can put it all together in a test pack.
I've used a bodged combination of a wolftooth Valais and an alpkit exorail along with a wildcat bag so I can still have a bit of drop and a reasonable capacity. There are almost certainly neater looking solutions.
Anyone had any issues with the DP mount flexing and connecting with the seatpost collar or the frame when the saddle's dropped?
Might take a bit longer than you want to arrive in the post but this is reviewed well:
I’ve got one on order but I’m in Aus so shouldn’t be waiting too long.
Do you really need a dropper for the KAW? Refit a standard post might be an option?
@mrpaul - I like that. Good solution. As you say time may be an issue.
Do you really need a dropper for the KAW? Refit a standard post might be an option?
Hi Nick, no but I'm lazy. So I really do no want to un-tape the bar, so I can get the dropper shifter off that bar to give me sufficient length to pull the post out. I mean I know that's the right thing to do, I just don't want to do it!
Why not but an exorail for your Koala.
Haven't read all of this properly but I've got an Alpkit koala and use a Wolftooth Valais.
I've got one of the rubberised bag straps in the highest position to match the Valais so I get as much drop as possible. Been fine for me. Bag is close to the post but doesn't touch.
Valais is an expensive bit of plastic though!
Yes the Valais is very expensive for what it is. I still end up protecting the dropper with a bit of duct tape as well as the strap on my saddle pa k often wants to slip off the Valais and onto the dropper shaft.
I'd fit a rack and strap a bag to the top. Still get full use of your dropper then, and almost certainly cheaper and more stable.
If it's only occasional use any old rack will work.
We have the DP mount as the straps on the Restrap bags are too wide for the Valais. Works really well. Rockshox enduro collars fitted on the post to limit the drop.
We did (badly) wrap a post in the past but ended up with scratches. Scotroutes clearly does a much better job.
I'm currently using the scotroutes solution. Well, bubble wrap and duc tape.
But I do like the look of the DP.
A few years ago I cut down an old USE seatpost and attached that to my saddle then attached an Alpkit seat pack to it 🙂
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I have an aplkit exo-rail that I likely won't use again. DM me if you'd like it for the cost of postage.
https://alpkit.com/products/exo-rail-seat-pack-mounting-system
thanks all. I have an eco-rail and I'm going to try @scotroutes suggestion first. I'm waiting to get some longer bolts for the seat post so I can properly fit/adjust the eco-rail.
I have an eco-rail and I’m going to try @scotroutes suggestion first.
Before I got all fancy with a DP mount, this worked fine - I used a synthetic chamois cloth cut up and taped around the post, the tape kept the muck out and the cloth gave a bit of grip. I also added a reverb collar but it's probably not needed.
Didn't do any harm for a weekend away.
I just fitted a Reverb AXS and bought a cheap fixed post and popped a spare saddle on it for bikepacking 😁
Cheers Mos I thought so at the time I,ve still got it but I have a bikepacking specific bike now 🙂