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Fathers Day and a birthday are approaching, as is a trip to Ciclo Montana, so I'm pondering whether to treat myself to a dropper post.
I've never thought I've needed one for most of my regular riding, but the trip to Spain feels like it might be somewhere where it's actually useful, or is it not?
If I take the plunge which would be people pick from Reverb ~£175, Giant ~£135 or Gravity Dropper (125mm) £145
I'm leaning towards the Giant at present, UK retailer and a good price. Any reason not to?
A few of our group have the Giant one and have no problems to report.
Probably not, the trails around there are more likely to involve an hours solid climbing then 10 minutes descending than the constant up/down of the UK. So it really depends if you think you need it in the UK. Personally I have a reverb, but it's been in the spares box for years, I'm just to used to riding with the saddle up that I barely notice it downhill unless it's ridiculous (then that's what QR's are for).
The Reverb really is the best and most reliable. I've had mine serviced twice in getting on for four years of ownership, once after I broke it with hamfistedness. Generally a fit and forget part, which most others aren't.
I don't have a dropper so cant give first hand experience but I was talking to somebody with a giant earlier in the week and he said his only issue with it is that it only drops 100mm, if he was doing it again he would buy something with a bit more drop.
I would - I once hired a bike in Mallorca for a guided downhill day - didnt bother with dropper as were being driven to top of the island, thought I'd just put the saddle down manual old-styley! But bike had the longest seatpost ever so bashed the jewels constantly, no fun and f*ing annoying. Have hired since and always spec a dropper if available. Obviously buying your own means you have one, and in my experience things bought for "special trips" are much more likely to get boss approval.
ps love my reverb, never had a prob with it, bleed it yearly which takes 5mins
My dropper was poorly and wouldn't drop last night. It ruined my ride (exaggeration, but I skipped fun bits of normally have dropped it for).
Dropper posts are brilliant and I would recommend getting one. But to be honest if you have a qr then out in Spain you can manage as you don't need to be constantly changing your saddle height as the climb and descents last longer.
Ciclo will always stop and tell you went to put your saddle up or down.
When I was out in Spain a couple of years ago the barb on the seat end got damaged in transit 🙁 so I reverted to a standard post and QR. I can't say that I didn't miss the dropper, because I did, BUT it wasn't that much of a PITA TBH.
Marco has ridden with a standard post and QR for years
Been with Ciclo twice.
First year no one had droppers, 2nd yr everyone had them. Personally I think they are ideal for that terrain - but Marco & co didn't have them back then so make of that what you will.
I've a Spesh Command Post & the ability to drop two set positions really helped.
KS dropzone here with handlebar remote if interested £80.
30.9mm, 125mm drop. Perfect working order.
i'd recommend a dropper for sure.
i'd recommend spending a bit extra for the extra inch. KS Lev.
I borrowed one from a mate when I went out with ciclo but then I knew [i]everyone[/i] else in the group had them. Spain is like most of my local trails you're either pedalling up hill or freewheeling downhill so qr is acceptable, but....
If you have the cash and want to treat yourself, they are very good.
Sensible head, on they are hard to justify, expense, weight, something to go wrong etc, but there's not many people who use one for a while and then say "not for me thanks"
I got a reverb to swap across my bikes, considering getting another to reduce swappage 🙂
(and you can only get 6" travel on stealths which aren't swappable)
+1 for Donk - not many people go back.
I think droppers allow the rider to find the flow in their ride. Stopping to drop saddle breaks rhythm and flow. IMHO my riding has got more enjoyable and better because I've not interrupted my ride to lower the seat - and have subsequently found said flow more often.
However, if you don't drop your post now then its probably not worth it - but if you do get off and drop your saddle then id be surprised if you regretted buying one...
Thanks for the responses...not the overwhelming "you can't ride without one" response I thought I might get, but that's good 🙂
Would appear that I don''t [u]need[/u] a dropper for Spain and I don't [u]need[/u] a dropper for my normal riding, so it would appear to be getting one for getting one's sake. 😕
And it's just something else to be neglected by my poor maintenance regime.
Will have to think of a better way of treating myself...if I can't convince myself then I won't be able to convince the family!
I haven't ridden there, but... At home, I hate not having a dropper post. In the alps, I don't really care- as above it's up or down, round here it's up and down.
So, maybe don't get one just for the holiday but maybe do get one for back home.
You don't need one until you use one. Then you can't live without. They're bicycle heroin.
218 Euro for the Reverb here - I make that £158 - exchange rate is good for you UK folks right now.
The Reverb really is the best and most reliable.
Maybe out of the ones the op mentioned but not in general. Best cost/performance? Probably. The best dropper regardless of price? Not in my opinion.
Much like other RS products, they're great within their price point as long as you're not paying RRP but if you have deep pockets there's usually better available.
As for getting a dropper..... The last of my riding buddies to get one recently did. He was not too bothered about buying one and probably in a similar position to you but it came on his new bike so he gave it a go. Wouldn't be without it now.
Well the dropper is going to have to wait for another day.
I've spent far to much of this weekend fighting with a set of brakes...the brakes have won 🙁
A 'what brakes' thread will appear shortly 🙂
XT from merlin. £99
Deore with big rotors, especially if cash is tight. My Alps bike has them and no problems.
One of the only places (riding with Ciclo Montana) where I think a dropper post would definitely be worth it, of the places that I have ridden.
Had one, twice, sold both. Pointless IMO.
I've recently been with Ciclo Montana. You will want to drop your post and a dropper is a convenience but not essential as you can use a quick release. You will tend to pad up and drop your seat before the lengthy descent begins.
Enjoy your trip, the rides are something special 🙂
Thanks for the feedback.
I've survived this long without a dropper so will cope for 5 days in Spain, and the excuse of 'dropping my post' is always a good way getting a breather after a climb when you're as slow and unfit as me.
Dithering on the myriad of options available for brakes...and thats just the Merlin page; XT's, SLX's, Deore's and the Formula Mega's look like a bargain. Any pointers on actual discs? Currently have 180/160 but at over 15st kitted up bigger wouldn't go a miss.
Looks like a panic purchase from the hotel bar tomorrow to get them delivered for when I get home on Friday, fit and test ride Saturday, box bike on Sunday, fly Tuesday.
Really looking forward to the trip, a few days riding in the sun with mates is hard to top.