[Closed] Wish you had not bought a dropper

Nope.

Nope.

(Actually, I originally bought a non-remote KS version and thought it was teh orsumz. Then I bought a Reverb with a remote. At that point, I wished I hadn't bought my first one, so in a way, yes.)

I wish I'd bought a decent one straight away.

I broke my reverb around christmas, really missed it riding with a normal seatpost since then. Cant get used to the high post and cant be bothered to use a QR. Got a new reverb yesterday after quite a faff with Alltricks.fr, last one lasted 18 months and needed more spending on it than a new one would cost.

The best purchase that you technically dont need. Wouldnt be without mine now.

I've got a reverb and can't imagine riding without one now. When it's there you use it constantly to get the seat exactly where you want it

I didn't actually buy one, but one came on my new bike. I took it off after two rides. Emperor's new clothes, IMHO. I really don't see the point unless you are jumping a lot, in which case you'd probably have the post down all the time anyway. None of my riding buddies have or want them and some of them are pretty good on the technical stuff (I am, at best, adequate!)
Maybe I'm just a dinosaur. Anyone want to buy a Reverb Stealth?

with dropper posts is it either all the way up or all the way down and nothing inbetween? or do some of them do variations?

Had a Hilo, broke it and got a refund.
The only thing I didn't like about it was not being able to really slam my saddle for jumping etc.

I wouldn't be without it now 🙂

with dropper posts is it either all the way up or all the way down and nothing inbetween? or do some of them do variations?

not a Reverb, you can set it anywhere you want between the travel.

I really don't see the point unless you are jumping a lot,

If you like to point your bike downhill, or down any kind of drop, then being able to drop your post at will is big advantage.
Instantly improves your body position/COG

just about as important as wheels or pedals.

well not quite, but i'd be lost without it...

Whilst I managed for 18 years without dropping my saddle for either dh sections, or just little nadgery bits on otherwise flat or swept trails, I love my dropper. It has made those bits even more fun, and tight technical bits are easier too.
Emperors new clothes? No. I don't miss the gears or rear sus when I'm riding my ss but I'm sure glad it has the dropper on it. What's not to like about something that makes difficult stuff easier to ride?

How do you ride at the moment?

1. Seat up your arse XC sit down style or
2. Hover off the saddle and pump the terrain?

I have one and like it for flat/smooth bits where I don't move about on the bike much and when you need to keep up with the XC boys. I don't see it as essential and most of the time run my seat lower and either taking it easier or pedal standing up. I have just built up a nukeproof mega for mini down hill duties and cannot justify the price of a dropper to save me 10 seconds raising my post when climbing to the top of the hill.

nope but wish they made a 125mm drop in 27.2

Had one for about 18months now. Don't know how I managed before without one, it has made such a difference.

nope but wish they made a 125mm drop in 27.2

see new thompson.

might be cheaper to buy a new frame though...

I would literally die if I didn't have a Reverb now.....literally. (not literally)
They are great once you get used to the notion.

[i]I wish I'd bought a decent one straight away[/i]

This.

Just out of interest how did all you lot that think droppers are great run your seat post before you got a dropper?

Over the years, qr or bolt. Always used to drop saddle for long descents, but the beauty of the dropper post is those little bits you never bother doing that for. Couple of strop drops or tight bits in an otherwise pedally trail? Riding somewhere you don't know and being able to drop it on the fly if you want ( note want, not need) to, these are where it comes into its own. If you don't ride that sort of trail, or you just winch up, drop post and head down, you will probably think they are useless. But it's useless to you, not in general...

^ Up: an awful lot of the time because I couldn't be bothered faffing about adjusting the seat height.

Just out of interest how did all you lot that think droppers are great run your seat post before you got a dropper?

Dropping it using qr at start of descents when I could be bothered. Same at bottom before going back up hills.

Now I adjust all the time, prob at least as much as changing gear, even going along trails with only small sections of up and downs.

GEDA, long trail days in the wide open spaces, saddle at 'optimum' pedalling height, as it still would be.

For trail centre/uppy downy days, there would be faffing with a QR on a section by section by section basis. This would be fine if you really knew the trail, so a long DH to end the day for example. However, for more unknown areas, often the saddle would be too high/low for the wiggly bits! Being able to slam it away when spotting some unforeseen drops, or raise it for a mid DH climb is a real advantage. A good illustration would be something like R74 at CYB. Plenty of time town, but being able to move it around while riding is just better!

So
99% positive.
Next question
Second hand, older reverb or eBay tmars?

I would be lost with out mine. Before having one I used to stop alot to put the seat up and down. They are brilliant for undulating trails where you want it low for the steep stuff, middle for the flatter tech bits and up for the climbs.
If your trails tend to be a pedal up to then thrash down they are not essential but once you get used to one you will not go back.
My gravity dropper 27.2 with 100mm is not enough travel though.

Bought a Stealth Reverb, had it for a month before it broke. Over a month later i'm still waiting for the replacement / repaired one to turn up, not overly impressed to be fair but I think with more time on it I would find it harder to go without one.

Before my dropper I would have to stop riding, lower post, ride "fun" bit of trail, stop, raise post and carry on riding, then stop because i didnt get post to proper position.

Flippinig spoiled the whole flow, so without one you just didnt drop, or you rode the "fun" bit but not as fast/easy/confident or you just didnt ride parts of the trail.

Now, I look for fun bits, never interupt the flow of the ride.

Go somewhere like Woburn, where its all up/down/twisty/pumpy/rooty/swoopy and you will find its the best thing fitted to a bike.

Oh, and it makes cornering eaiser as well, its not just for techy bits.

I'd avoid TMARS. I bought it, cheap, and I've bought twice...

I now have a Gravity Dropper.

You may be buying thrice then 😉

So none of you would think of just running your post lower all the time?

I come from Northumberland but live in Sweden. In Sweden the trails are technical with a lot of steep techy up and down pumpy trails. I did not really like the dropper as most of the time I like to hover off the saddle so you can move your weight around the bike, pumping the trail for example. I find it great in Northumberland as there are more big fire road type ascents where you just sit down and grind up the hill and don't need to use any body language.

Wouldn't go back- even my rigid xc bike has a dropper. Riding without suspension is a good laugh, riding without a dropper is just less [i]good[/i].

Mind you I've only bought good ones- avoided the early adopter problems with KS and Rockshox, never bought a Crank Bros or a cheapy.

GEDA - Member

Just out of interest how did all you lot that think droppers are great run your seat post before you got a dropper?

Up and down mostly. Though I think back in The Good Old Days we didn't really think about it much, just one of the many reasons that you could be killed while trying to ride over an acorn.

Given that pretty much all the replys have said how essential this bit of kit is, perhaps you should buy the best you can afford.

Just out of interest how did all you lot that think droppers are great run your seat post before you got a dropper?

see new thompson.

You cant really pedal up hill with your post down.

Some droppers are capable of being run at any height, so you can drop, hover or sit.

riding without a dropper is just less [i]good[/i].

Awww, crap. I agree with Northwind. 🙁

😉

Thin end of the wedge!

I don't have a dropper, although I have considered one. I run my seat at a middling sort of height, high enough to get some leg extension when pedalling and low enough to avoid getting it in the balls if I grab some air. It's on an allen key clamp, so I never move it. Although I could increase my pedalling efficiency with a dropper, I prefer keeping things simple (on a hardtail) and have no problems keeping pace with anybody I'm riding with.

Just out of interest how did all you lot that think droppers are great run your seat post before you got a dropper?

Woods Height. Hurts my knees sat down uphill though.

I want one now !!!!!

My dropper (KS LEV) cost more than my frame! Wouldn't be without one

Handy for getting under fallen trees.....

Nope. Loved mine (KS Supernatural 150).

Wouldn't be without one now. Properly awesome piece of kit that transformed my riding. The reverb button is my bike's other, other gear lever.

I haven't got 1 I've thought About it but I seem to feel lost when I drop my seat down for the downhill bits. So I never drop it an it's set reasonably high. I consider myself reasonably quick downhill but feel everyone must not be wrong having one. Did anybody feel they kind of used the saddle as something to push off/grip before they had a dropper. If so how do you find it now

Scott - details about the Thomson dropper here http://m.pinkbike.com/news/Thomson-Frame-and-Covert-Dropper-Seatpost-Core-Bike-2014.html due out in may, 125mm drop. Action slows down at temps close to zero apparently, I'm pretty sure I'll be getting one anyway though.

I have a reverb on my full suss AM bike and would love one on my hard tail but as they don't do a reverb suitable for it I just use the qr when I need to which isn't often as I generally ride the most suitably equipped bike for the intended trails I am going to ride. They are definitely a must have luxury item 😆

Absolutely love dropper posts. I was addicted to my dropper after 2 rides

Nobody needs one but they make riding so much more fun. Same as suspension and gears, people manage fine without them but most people prefer to have them as they make the riding more enjoyable.

To the OP - I bought a Tmars on ebay for about £45. They're ok for what they are but I really don't think they are designed for the dubious pleasures of UK riding.

They're very prone to water and general trail shite ingress and - in my experience - by the end of a long, wet ride start to behave unpredictably. You'll need to strip and lube it regularly - not difficult.

I think on balance I'd rather have it than not, and I think it was worth the money but I'm now looking out for a second hand Reverb and the Tmars will end up on the hack.

I wouldnt ve without one. Even on my road commute to work.

Life long bmxer where every minute on a bike is play time.

A saddle is just a perch when you're not riding anythong remotely fun, or saving yourself on a vig day out, right?

I keep looking at a reverb...but not sure its really suited to my anthem?
I can't help think that droppers are more suited to the likes or trail/downhill bikes rather than a full sus XC bike?

Wouldn't be without mine now. It felt natural to use it on its first ride and is now just second nature to raise and lower it to suit the trail.

Having mucked about on DH bikes for too long, I hate riding run sections with my saddle up, it just gets in the way. In the past I used to faff with my post height loads which breaks up the flow hugely.

So far my reverb has been reliable and was easy to bleed. I'm paranoid about breaking the lever so run a right hand lever under the bars on the left where my front mech shifter used to be.

Another vote for a reverb here.
I would not be without mine now.

For years I have stopped lowered my saddle for the downs then put it sick up again.
Also rode DH bikes for years with low seats and struggled to pedal anywhere.

One of the most useful inventions for mountain biking in my opinion.

So the collective says yes they are great.
If you can, don't go cheap go reverb.

From reverb research it seems ones with silver had a problem, so go for an all black one second hand.

Have I missed anything?

Have I missed anything?

Reverb isn't the only good post on the market. KS Lev is good as well, and has fixed cable routing for the remote.

The Reverb hydraulic remote can be a plus or a minus. There is no cable to get gummed up (+) but they can need bled (-) and the remote lever is big $$$ to replace if damaged (-).

Thomson gets good reviews, put is pricey.

Some swear by Gravity Dropper; simple, reliable, and easy to maintain but FUGLY.

Bargain posts generally aren't of the same quality as the leaders, but some are happy with them.

My Lev has been in for repair since Christmas and it just arrived back yesterday. I've only ridden the FS (that the Lev is on) once in that period with a normal post as I just didn't like the idea of riding without a dropper. This is after having the bike maybe 15 months before I even fitted a dropper.

I wouldn't be without one on the FS, and am considering one for the HT too - even though the HT rarely sees any serious rough stuff.

If you are on a budget look at the RSP Plummet, or the Satori Sorata Pro (same post Satori are the manufacture)

Satori are the makers, and currently on eBay for £71.99!

Not as nice as a reverb but budget is sometimes key for some people (me!)

It is a copy of the gravity dropper with 3 heights simple spring and remote cable pin system. All metal inside with no plastic guides like the TMars.

It's relatively new so not many reviews out there but what I can find all looks promising!

And I have done a fair bit of research on budget droppers (including a thread on here!)

stevede - Member

Scott - details about the Thomson dropper here http://m.pinkbike.com/news/Thomson-Frame-and-Covert-Dropper-Seatpost-Core-Bike-2014.html due out in may, 125mm drop. Action slows down at temps close to zero apparently, I'm pretty sure I'll be getting one anyway though.

I keep looking at a reverb...but not sure its really suited to my anthem?

Why not? I use mine more when riding XC trails rather than DH trails. If I'm riding DH then I just drop my post post and keep it there for the day. If I'm riding XC then I'm going up, down and over all kinds of things and in many situations its helpful to lower the post and in other situations its helpful to raise the post. This way you insure you have the best seat hight for whatever you are riding.

In wet slopppy situations I even lower my seat just for one dodgy looking corner, then raise it again when exiting the corner. Having the seat out the way allows the bike to move around under me and I have more confidence going with the slide if it happens.

I'm quite happy without one thanks.

stoddys - Member

If you can, don't go cheap go reverb.

Or, one of the other high quality posts. TBH I don't think I'd choose a reverb, they're still pretty flaky and the hydraulics mean hassle and potentially big repair bills if you break a lever or hose... Really nice to use but not as real-world compatible IMO. If I break the cable on my KS posts, I can fix it with bits every bike shop in the world has for pounds, rather than waiting a week to get a £50 part then finding a bleed kit etc etc...

kiwijohn - Member
I'm quite happy without one thanks.

I assume you've not tried one yet? Don't be stubborn! 😉 There is NO doubt that a dropper improves your ability to ride things more freely, increases your enjoyment on the bike and makes you faster.

The only downside of dropper ownership is wanting one on all the bikes you ride offroad.

hydraulics mean hassle and potentially big repair bills if you break a lever or hose... Really nice to use but not as real-world compatible IMO.

I assume, therefore, that you are running cable discs.

I'm quite happy without one thanks

You'd be even happier with one.

Or would that just be too much happy?

I assume, therefore, that you are running cable discs.

Hydraulic brakes have more power and better feedback than cable brakes and self-adjust for pad wear. Why would any of those aspects be beneficial when actuating a dropper post?

CaptainFlashheart - Member

I assume, therefore, that you are running cable discs.

Saw that one coming... Nope, I use hydraulic brakes because they have a performance advantage, and because the parts are more durable and less exposed.

The Reverb lever's a deadly combination of delicate and piss-takingly expensive. If that weren't the case, it'd be a better option.

My reverb lever is mounted under the bar and has avoided all sorts of abuse.

The Reverb lever's a deadly combination of delicate and piss-takingly expensive.

Really? Mine's lasted very well, thanks, despite several stacks!

As to the advantages? Well, it just works better, IMO. It allows for an adjustable rebound (if that's the right word!) on the post, is smooth and easy to use, doesn't clog up with mud/grime and, so far, requires minimal maintenance.

Still think the main advantage for me is sitting down more as I usually run my post low. It is a bit annoying and you loose the flow sometimes as you have to sit on the saddle to make the seat to go down instead of it just being lower all the time.

THEY ARE NOT A DROPPERS YOU PRESS THE BUTTON AND IT GOES UP! 🙂

Yes I know you do it to get it to go down as well but it is much easier to make it go up.

Had a reverb for just over a year, it's been replaced once and serviced once under warranty (seals went), so not as reliable as i'd like but when working I like it.

I like the way I can set the max height of my post for best pedalling efficiency and not have to faff with a qr when it's just not quite right. It's just nice to have on the fly adjustments to seat height depending on the trail, not a necessity but very helpful.

CaptainFlashheart - Member

It allows for an adjustable rebound (if that's the right word!) on the post, is smooth and easy to use, doesn't clog up with mud/grime and, so far, requires minimal maintenance.

Just ike a cable-actuated KS you mean? Cool!

THEY ARE NOT A DROPPERS YOU PRESS THE BUTTON AND IT GOES UP!

Had one for a good couple of years now and wouldn't be without it.

New sorata pro here. First ride today and it is fantastic regardless of how good value it is. 598g all in is a very competetive weight too. Very smooth action, not to violent on the return and looks okay in matt silver (though the clamp housing is bulky) Switch sits atop the bar though. I can't find anything on servicing though but perhaps through Raleigh? If it keeps working well I may swap out the remote for the CB Kronolog one running under bar. Oh one more thing is the supplied remote cable is on rhe short side if you have a long toptube and wide bars.