Here are all the things wrong with dropper posts

Is number one that we can absolutely believe what dropper posts look like now?

reverbs, still got lower hamstring problems from a bobbing reverb, oneup has been a great replacement so far

Dropper posts don't drop. They are an "upper" post.

excessive slop in the shaft department results in a post that can compress/extend inconsistently (bushing bind etc)

I haven't blushed so much since the article about Andi's long purple Pole.

I think you'll find proper off road mudguards are the best thing since disc brakes.

They constantly need the collar lifted and to be fed more suspension grease, or they stop returning fully.

Oh hang on, that's just OneUp droppers, isn't it?

Maybe it's because 3 of our 4 dropper posts are bikeyoke revives but dropper posts seem so much better than they used to be.

What an awful advertorial. Have I missed something? I get you need paid-for articles but that is some clumsy propaganda waffle… would rather watch a 10 sec proper advert than read that. Even as a paid subscriber.

They constantly need the collar lifted and to be fed more suspension grease, or they stop returning fully.

Oh hang on, that’s just OneUp droppers, isn’t it?

Dunno, my OneUp dropper is fine without that.

(not sponsored by OneUp. This post might have waxed more fulsome is it was sponsored, hint hint)

Maybe it’s because 3 of our 4 dropper posts are bikeyoke revives but dropper posts seem so much better than they used to be.

They've definitely improved, Reverbs and Crank Brothers (Kronolog?) posts must be the low points.

I'd still like one with specific drops like the original Gravity Droppers though. I can guess what ~30mm drop feels like for 'flat but twisty' trails but half the time it never feels right and it would be nicer if it was consistent?

My older Brand-X (badged as Canyon) has been destroyed by I assume either a bushing slipping/failing or using the wrong suspension grease as it's worn through the anodizing and now gouging the aluminum, I don't really care though now that they're mostly <£100, it's a lot of money sure, especially after only 2 years. But it's not £300 like the reverb, and the 170mm version on the other bike works perfectly.

Unless someone devises a dramatically better post (both functionally and user serviceable) I'll not be spending >£100 on one again.

There are some droppers that cost several hundred quid. For no worthwhile advantage. Bonkers.

yes - why would you buy a OneUp post with a lever for £289??? you can multiples of other brands posts for that.

Dropper posts don’t drop. They are an “upper” post.

This. Dropping a quick release post was never much of a problem and on smooth ground I could do it whilst riding along. Getting it back up required stopping and it'd never go back to exactly the right place. "Dropper" posts fixed this.

and it’d never go back to exactly the right place

Shoe lace or similar tied so it was taught at full height to the post clamp bolt and the saddle rail was very close solution.

yes – why would you buy a OneUp post with a lever for £289??? you can multiples of other brands posts for that.

If the 125mm ones stacked on top of each other to give a 250 drop I'd have two, but they don't.

I've had a V1 one up for a few years and it's been great, and was the biggest drop I could fit into the frame at the time.

I notice the v2 would give me a smidge more drop for the same insertion depth, so I'd love to upgrade - it's just a shame the members discounts don't seem to include Oneup (HINT!)

That 'sponsored' icon needs to be WAAAY more prominent.

That's weird.
The actual article post by Ben is the fifth post down for me with people answering it before it... 🤔

Anyone else?

Anyone else?

Probably everyone and I’m prepared to bet 20p it’s because the article was updated after the first few posts had been created and the script that is used to present the posts doesn’t take into account that the time stamp used can change

^^ Yes

However, the biggest thing wrong with dropper posts is the price of the aftermarket levers. It's such a ****ing rip off, for a simple lever that pulls a cable! And people pay it, so they keep those prices coming! Infuriates me, it does.

That ‘sponsored’ icon needs to be WAAAY more prominent.

Better still, stick it in the Ads section so that paid subscribers don't see it.

However, the biggest thing wrong with dropper posts is the price of the aftermarket levers. It’s such a **** rip off, for a simple lever that pulls a cable! And people pay it, so they keep those prices coming! Infuriates me, it does.

Does seem to be something wrong when you’re dropper lever costs more than your shifter

Or, quite possibly, your dropper.

those horrid old fashioned ones that lay vertically on your bars

For those of us (or is it only me?) still running 3 x, these dropper remotes work just perfectly, thanks. In fact, I'm hoarding them now because they're so hard to come by.

Anyone else?

Hmmmm… makes you think 🤔

things wrong with this article:

'bike contro, efficiently'

sorry about that.

Oneup posts are similar to Brand X but their levers are better. If Oneup price matched Brand X I'd be tempted. For now, Brand X post with a Oneup lever is my setup.

My brand X dropper feels a fair bit smoother and more solid than my one up, also the brand X doesn't make a weird crack type noise when you push the lever. None of them are deal-breakers and I went for the one up as it's longer drop than the brand X, however it'd be nice if it felt as refined as the cheaper post.

I'm just here to sing praises for Brand-X posts

@tmays - when my Fox dropper become broken, and then became unfixable, I had no hesitation in buying another Brand X to complement the (badged) one on Fatbike.

Anyways, thinking again about the advert that initiated this thread, perhaps STW should adopt a policy once adopted by the BBC; journalists shouldn't appear in ads. It undermines our belief in their objectivity. I mean, if STW were to do a comparative review on dropper posts in a couple of months and One Up got a good write up, would you really trust it?

ico86
Full Member
My brand X dropper feels a fair bit smoother and more solid than my one up, also the brand X doesn’t make a weird crack type noise when you push the lever. None of them are deal-breakers and I went for the one up as it’s longer drop than the brand X, however it’d be nice if it felt as refined as the cheaper post.

TBF, my OneUp doesn't make a cracking sound when I push the lever. The only advantage it has over my Brand-X though is in its shorter dimensions

…and why aren't there more wireless options and why are they 2-4x the price!! I borrowed a friends old Magura Vyron and it's fab!

However, the biggest thing wrong with dropper posts is the price of the aftermarket levers. It’s such a **** rip off, for a simple lever that pulls a cable! And people pay it, so they keep those prices coming! Infuriates me, it does.

ZTTO and their £4 levers to the rescue.

They're not quite as nice as matchmaker compatible, rubber coated ones. But they're also not £40 worse.

Shoe lace or similar tied so it was taught at full height to the post clamp bolt and the saddle rail was very close solution.

The same trick works to limit the extension of droppers if you really want to maximize the drop (use dynema D8 and learn to splice it though, much neater, easier to adjust, and the knots won't stretch over time).

to be fair i love my command post.

The Hite Rite on my 92 Breezer has never had any issues with air loss, bushing wear etc....

The Brand-X ones are bang on, really can't complain at £50 for a 357x100mm one including lever on my lads bike, let along £100 for the whole £100 I paid for the new 420x120mm on on mine.

I'm also a fan of the over the bar lever as my dual-suspension lock is under the bar, although I am seriously tempted by the Orbea 3 way Squidlock lever that does fork, shock and dropper in one tidy package - might get one when I re-cable my bike at some point over the summer.

I have a Brand X Ascent post that I've abused for 5 years. Ridden year round a few times a week, including those axle deep mud days with no mudguards. I've never serviced it or had to change cables. It just works! It's as good now as it was when purchased despite the shaft having wear and a couple notches. I've got a few other droppers that have never caused me issues either, but then they see less use.

The one thing I don't like about any of the cable/hydraulic droppers is lever feel. I think the awkward cable routing and flimsy lever design means it's never felt robust or particularly accurate when actuating. All my gear shifters feel great- why can't they copy that? Would like to try the bluetooth options for feel.

…and why aren’t there more wireless options and why are they 2-4x the price!! I borrowed a friends old Magura Vyron and it’s fab!

theres a new magura imminent at Sea Otter. rumours from Taipei suggest a number of others soon to join.

I love my AXS reverb - with the obvious downside of huge, huge price - it exceeds the one-up (and other cable operated) on:

lever feel - its a button, rather than swinging a lever around and pulling cable when you only need a binary on-off result.

ease of removal - for obvious reasons

seat clamp - they made a big fuss about the oneup clamp, but the reverb one is amazing. a single t25 bolt tightens/releases the saddle. A second bolt you twist to adjust seat angle. no more of this loosen one, tighten the other, messing about with captive nuts you have to try and hold down with your finger.

the wobbliest dropper i’ve ever owned is a one up. i really don’t understand what people love about them over a brand x

That Orbea lever looks neat if you need the functionality.

I'm happy with my boggo Brand-X lever, a shorter throw would be nice but I'm not about to spend daft money on fixing what isn't broke.

What are the shimano levers like?

What are the shimano levers like?

I have the MT500 (£20) and it's very well engineered and ergonomically brilliant - an easy match for the also good One Up at more than twice the price.

Talking of which it is actuating a (Brand X) Trans X adjustable 170-200mm dropper that is also as good as the One Up for...£60.

An easy £80 to avoid all the above issues (if you're don't need more than 200mm).

Wolf Tooth don't do bad levers. Has a nifty plastic centre piece that shears to save bending the lever in the event of a crash. They do multiple colours and two lengths.

Running one on my Brand-x. No complaints.

Another worst thing is the scarcity of posts with offset.

If anyone's after one of these then check biketart on eBay as they're currently £171 with a discount code, including 210 & 240 lengths in various diameters.

They constantly need the collar lifted and to be fed more suspension grease, or they stop returning fully.

Not just mine then.
I use PTFE spray as I'm too lazy to clean & grease that often.

Another worst thing is the scarcity of posts with offset.

What?!?!! A whole week goes by and nobody's been able to turn this into a 'post scarcity' pun?

This place is slipping slowly letting itself down...

i really don’t understand what people love about them over a brand x

Short stack and insertion dimensions means you can squeeze 20-30mm more drop into a frame over brand X - great for my girls who have short legs. I'm happy with brand X though I find the seal better than oneup at keeping gunk out.

@tagnut69

Shimano levers are, as you’d expect, really nicely made and finished. The £20 Deore model is fine. Can’t work out what the more expensive version gets you.

The Bontrager “line elite” lever is my preference- low profile and about £20.

To be fair cokie there are a lot of naff levers out there. The only cable lever I've tried so far that has felt worth the £££ is the PNW Loam Lever. Not cheap, but it is very well made, and precise once set up.