I've been away from mountain biking for a few years so I'm a bit out of touch regarding components.
I'm looking for a 30.9 dropper post which is reliable, around 170-180mm travel and not crazy expensive.
I've previously owned reverbs which I've had issues with but maybe the new ones are of a better design?
I have a Revive (Yolk?) on another bike which has been excellent but they look quite pricey new. If I remember correctly, the Revive is cable (not hydraulic) actuation and has a simpler internal design resulting in better reliability, whereas the Reverb can let air into places it shouldn't be? Forgive me if I'm wrong regarding this.
Thanks.
OneUp or SDG personally. Ascend are quite cheap, but I've not tried one. Many of the different brands have a cartridge made by the same company inside. All three of these probably do?
Reverbs never got any better. Think RockShox gave up making them actually, other than the super expensive wireless model.
https://ascendcomponents.com/collections/dropper-seatposts - are the cheap-dropper now that Brand X Ascend droppers are harder to come by (but are still out there if you get lucky).
or
https://uk.oneupcomponents.com/collections/dropper-post - as the more expensive choice.
I've got a mix of Brand X and OneUp (one V2 and one V3) across our bike fleet. Mostly Brand X which are simply brilliant.
I’m about to remove a new 175mm KS LEV Integra from a new bike if that’s of interest? Not sure if I’ll be selling the lever though
it’s too long so I’m planning to replace with an Ascend
From personal experience Ascend (mine are Brand X ones) or OneUp v3. All been brilliant.
Wife’s Fox had issues early on although a warranty rebuild has sorted it.
I got about Ascend one recently. Works just like the Brand X did. 👍
SDG Tellis if that isn’t out of budget (about £160 for V2); ridiculously good action, much lighter lever than the others and will work perfectly in all temperatures. It’s just brilliant. Out of the normal suspects, I haven’t tried the One Up, so I don’t know how it compares to that…
The V1 SDG can be had for £89 if you can find any for sale!
Never personally had a problem with the non-leccy Reverb. Needed servicing but mine on my spare bike is going strong still after 8 years and 1 service in that time.
SDG I had on my Five when I bought it was crap. Seemed to have a mind of its own and the surface on the shaft wore off. Think its still in my parts bin for emergencies somewhere. Replaced it with a Brand X which has been spot on and managed to pick up a brand spankers, unused Brand X for mini DBW #00002's bike the other week. Similarly easy to fit, setup and work.
Unless I went full AXS, I'd stick a Brand X/Ascend on anything...
Ascend seems an easy choice to me, so long as stack height isn't critical.
I would have said buy a lever separately, but it looks like Ascend offer some nicer ones as well now.
Thanks folks, I'll look into these options.
New bike has a OneUp and wow its noticeably quicker up and down than ones I’ve used previously (Brand X, Xfusion, Cannondale Downlow)
Ay yeah, Ascend are the guys from CRC/Wiggle aren’t they… that would be a good choice 😊
I've just ordered a 225mm PNW Loam for my Ti Switch9er - will report back when in use
I'd expect the PNW post to be good but be honest, you only ordered that because it is silver! 😀
I'd expect the PNW post to be good but be honest, you only ordered that because it is silver! 😀
100% 🤣
I never got on with the OneUps as I had too many issues out of the box or after a few weeks. Needed regreasing to work or a new cartridge. Loads of striction, but they are very light.
My dropper has to be slammed with no lower tubes showing, which also helps maximising the effect, so an adjustable travel dropper is essential to fine tune. I recently bought a e13 Vario and love it, build quality is higher than OneUp and it doesn't hit the underside of the saddle unlike the OneUp.
I paid £90 for a new one from the US including shipping and duty.
Bikeyoke Revive every time. Worth the cash. Super light action, super reliable, easily self serviced, just brilliant. I used to use Reverbs with hardly any of the issues that many talk about but the Bikeyoke is better in every way. Tried a OneUp on my latest bike but it just didn't work as well, then developed rotating play. Replaced with a Bikeyoke, and then all was good.
OneUp or SDG personally.
That’s interesting, do SDG make a dropper for their I-Beam saddles? I’ve got them on several bikes from yonks ago, and I’ve just got one back on the road, another to follow, and I think a dropper post could be useful, but my I-Beam BelAir saddles are the most comfortable I’ve ever used, so I’d be very reluctant to give them up.
There were OneUp V2 posts available for a good price… have a hunt for one of them. Easy to service, work, fit.
[ I also have bought one of those silver PNW, for one reason and one reason only 😂 ]
